Former AFL player Nick Stevens convicted of fraud in pool installation scheme
Consensus Summary
Former AFL player Nick Stevens was convicted in May 2024 of fraudulently defrauding six families in Mildura, Victoria, out of $170,000–$171,000 for swimming pools he never installed or illegally constructed. Stevens, a former Carlton and Port Adelaide player with 231 AFL matches to his name, ran a landscaping business while allegedly representing he would deliver legally compliant pools. Prosecutors proved he knew the legal requirements—including permits, contracts, and insurance—but deliberately avoided them, leaving victims with unfinished or illegal pools. Both sources agree on the core charges, verdicts, and the role of Mildura Council’s stop-work orders, though details like Stevens’ age and specific refunds vary. His defence argued he initially intended to comply but faced financial trouble, while prosecutors painted him as a habitual liar preying on customers. Stevens remains in custody until his May 21 plea hearing, with prosecutors expecting a jail term.
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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 (May 2024).
- Stevens was acquitted on 1 charge of obtaining a financial advantage by deception relating to the first victim’s part-payment.
- Six families in Mildura, Victoria, were defrauded out of a total of $170,000–$171,000 for pools they never received or had illegally installed.
- Stevens, a former Carlton and Port Adelaide AFL player (1998–2009), ran a landscaping business and had a dealership agreement with Leisure Pools while committing the fraud.
- Judge Fiona Todd remanded Stevens in custody until his plea hearing on May 21, 2024, rejecting bail extensions argued by his defence barrister Jim Stavris.
- Mildura Rural City Council issued stop-work orders on Stevens’ pool projects in 2017–2018 due to lack of building permits, leaving victims with unfinished pools or illegal installations.
- Stevens’ financial difficulties in late 2017 included overdrawn bank accounts and outstanding debts to Leisure Pools and a transport company.
- Prosecutor Toni Stokes alleged Stevens knew the legal requirements for pool installations but deliberately avoided permits, contracts, and insurance.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Victim Ben Knight testified he paid Stevens over $30,000 for a pool he never received, citing excuses like bad weather and legal battles with Leisure Pools.
- Prosecutor Toni Stokes described victims as left with '[not permitted] pools, giant holes in their backyards, or nothing at all'.
- Mildura Rural City Council’s building surveyor Mark Yanstes testified council shut down Stevens’ work sites after discovering permits were linked to a private surveyor who hadn’t received paperwork.
- Stevens’ defence argued he tried to 'fix' victims by attempting to resolve issues after realizing financial difficulties, claiming he would have fled if he never intended to complete the work.
- ABC included a direct quote from Stevens’ defence barrister Jim Stavris emphasizing the importance of 'chronology and dates' in evidence to prove Stevens’ intent.
- Stevens showed 'little reaction' to the verdicts, sitting in the dock with his eyes forward.
- Prosecutor Toni Stokes asked the jury: 'If the accused intended to comply with the legal requirements, why were there no major building contracts, no domestic building insurance, why were they not asked to complete building permits?'
- Stevens claimed he sent doctored screenshots to a shipping company falsely showing fund transfers, but denied sending them himself, suggesting his ex-partner was responsible.
- Stevens testified he believed permits would be issued after final approvals and had clients sign forms appointing a building surveyor (Brian McDonnell), though McDonnell denied contact with Stevens about the six families.
- Newscom Australia noted the case had three aborted trials due to delays, spanning from 2019 to the final verdict in May 2024.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- ABC reports Stevens was 45 years old at the time of conviction, while Newscom Australia states he is 46.
- ABC states Stevens was charged in 2019 with 14 fraud-related charges, but Newscom Australia only mentions 14 charges in the context of his plea (not the initial count).
- ABC describes Stevens as having played 231 AFL matches between 1998 and 2009, while Newscom Australia specifies 231 games over 12 seasons (Port Adelaide and Carlton).
- ABC includes a direct quote from Judge Fiona Todd saying she was 'unconvinced' Stevens’ bail should be extended, but Newscom Australia states she said she was 'unconvinced' Stevens’ bail should *not* be extended (implied by remanding him).
- Newscom Australia claims one family received a full refund and another a partial refund, but ABC does not mention refunds in its reporting.
Source Articles
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Former AFL player Nick Stevens found guilty of dishonesty charges
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