Former AFL player Nick Stevens convicted of fraud in pool installation scheme
Consensus Summary
Former AFL player Nick Stevens was convicted on 13 counts of fraud after defrauding six families in Mildura, Victoria, of $170,000–$171,000 for pools they never received or had illegally installed. Stevens, a former Carlton and Port Adelaide footballer with 231 AFL matches to his name, was found guilty of obtaining financial advantage through deception and using a false document, though he was acquitted on one charge. The case centered on Stevens’ pool installation business, where he allegedly misled customers about permits and legal compliance, despite prior experience installing compliant pools under supervision. Both sources agree the jury heard evidence of financial distress, delayed permits, and stop-work orders from Mildura Council, with Stevens’ defence arguing he initially intended to comply but faced permit issues. Stevens remains in custody until his May 21 plea hearing, with prosecutors expecting a jail term. The trial, delayed by three aborted attempts, highlighted inconsistencies in Stevens’ claims about permit processes and his intentions, with prosecutors accusing him of habitual deception. Victims, including Ben Knight who paid over $30,000, described excuses like broken trucks and legal battles as Stevens abandoned projects, leaving some with unfinished pools or holes in their yards.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Nick Stevens was found guilty on 12 counts of obtaining a financial advantage by deception and 1 charge of using a false document in the County Court of Victoria (ABC, NEWSCOMAU).
- Stevens was remanded in custody until his plea hearing on May 21, 2024 (ABC, NEWSCOMAU).
- The case involved six families in Mildura, Victoria, who were defrauded of a total of $170,000–$171,000 for pools they never received or had illegally installed (ABC, NEWSCOMAU).
- Stevens pleaded not guilty to all 14 fraud-related charges (ABC, NEWSCOMAU).
- Judge Fiona Todd denied an extension of Stevens' bail, stating she was 'unconvinced' he should remain on bail (ABC, NEWSCOMAU).
- Stevens played 231 AFL matches between 1998 and 2009 for Carlton and Port Adelaide (ABC, NEWSCOMAU).
- The prosecution alleged Stevens never intended to install legally compliant pools and continued work despite stop-work orders from Mildura Rural City Council (ABC, NEWSCOMAU).
- One victim, Ben Knight, paid Stevens over $30,000 for a pool he never received (ABC).
- Stevens was a distributor for Leisure Pools while operating his pool installation business (NEWSCOMAU).
- The case was delayed by three aborted trials (NEWSCOMAU).
- Stevens was acquitted on one charge of obtaining a financial advantage by deception relating to the first victim’s part-payment (ABC, NEWSCOMAU)
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Former Carlton and Port Adelaide footballer Nick Stevens was specifically mentioned as the 45-year-old defendant (ABC).
- Judge Fiona Todd’s exact words were reported: 'knocked back an extension of Stevens' bail conditions' (ABC).
- Mildura Rural City Council municipal building surveyor Mark Yanstes was named as a witness who testified about permit issues (ABC).
- The first victim’s name, Ben Knight, was provided along with his specific claim of paying over $30,000 (ABC).
- The article included a quote from Prosecutor Toni Stokes: 'six Mildura families were left with either [not permitted] pools, giant holes in their backyards, or nothing at all' (ABC).
- The defence barrister Jim Stavris argued that Stevens ‘started jobs thinking the permits were coming’ and that he ‘tried to fix them’ (ABC).
- The article mentioned Stevens had previously installed six legally compliant pools under a training agreement with Brian McDonnell (ABC).
- The article noted that Stevens claimed he would only receive permits after final approvals and had clients sign forms for permit applications (ABC).
- The article included the exact date of the plea hearing: May 21 (ABC).
- The article stated that Stevens had financial difficulties by late 2017, with bank accounts in overdraft and debts to Leisure Pools and a transport company (ABC).
- The article described Stevens’ reaction to the verdicts as 'showed little reaction' and noted he 'kept his eyes straight forward' (NEWSCOMAU).
- The article included the exact phrasing of Prosecutor Toni Stokes’ closing argument: 'The accused never intended to install legally compliant swimming pools for these complainants, he deceived them for his own gain' (NEWSCOMAU).
- The article stated that one family received a full refund and another a partial refund, while four were left out of pocket (NEWSCOMAU).
- The article mentioned that Stevens had stopped working on the projects by early 2018 (NEWSCOMAU).
- The article included the defence’s argument that Stevens had 'no contact' with registered builder Brian McDonnell about the six families’ pools (NEWSCOMAU).
- The article noted that Stevens’ ex-partner was suggested as the possible sender of the doctored screenshot (NEWSCOMAU).
- The article stated that Mildura Council began issuing stop-work orders in May 2017 (NEWSCOMAU).
- The article included Judge Fiona Todd’s summary to the jury: 'Has the prosecution proven... that he will deliver and install a legally compliant swimming pool... did he know that representation was false or was probably false at the time he made it?' (NEWSCOMAU).
- The article mentioned that Stevens had received training and installed six other pools under supervision (NEWSCOMAU).
- The article stated that Stevens’ bank accounts were in overdraft and he had outstanding debts to Leisure Pools and a transport company (NEWSCOMAU).
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- ABC reports Stevens was 45 years old at the time of the trial, while NEWSCOMAU states he was 46 (ABC vs NEWSCOMAU).
- ABC mentions Stevens had financial difficulty 'towards the end of 2017,' while NEWSCOMAU states he had stopped working on projects by 'early 2018' (ABC vs NEWSCOMAU).
- ABC reports Stevens’ defence argued he 'tried to fix them' after realizing he couldn’t complete the jobs, while NEWSCOMAU does not include this specific phrasing (ABC vs NEWSCOMAU).
- ABC includes the name of the building surveyor, Mark Yanstes, as a witness, while NEWSCOMAU does not mention him (ABC vs NEWSCOMAU).
- NEWSCOMAU states that one family received a full refund and another a partial refund, but ABC does not specify the number of families who received refunds (NEWSCOMAU vs ABC).
Source Articles
Ex-AFL player ripped off pool customers
A former AFL star, who had a stellar 12-season career, defrauded six families of tens of thousands of dollars through his pool installation business....
Former AFL player Nick Stevens found guilty of dishonesty charges
A jury has found AFL player Nick Stevens guilty of deceptively charging families for swimming pools they never received....