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AFL stars have violence charges dropped
Prosecutors withdrew all charges after new witness interviews undermined the case, and the pair were awarded legal costs.
- On Friday, prosecutors withdrew all violence charges against AFL premiership players Dion Prestia and Steven May at the Frankston Magistrates Court, ending the legal case over an alleged December 2024 Sorrento brawl.
- Police had alleged the pair engaged in a streetside fight between "two competing groups" in Sorrento during the early hours of December 27, 2024, though both players consistently denied involvement throughout proceedings.
- Prosecutor Alex Turner told the court the case relied on a "word on word basis" with no CCTV footage, while Storm Bobridge had already pleaded guilty to affray and was fined $7,500 in February.
- Magistrate Tony Burns ordered the Chief Commissioner of Police to pay the footballers' legal costs following defence lawyer Tony Hargreaves's application, with Prestia and May thanking the magistrate via video link.
- Sorrento local William Salter, who remains unable to see from one eye following injuries sustained in the brawl, told reporters he was devastated by the outcome, describing it as life-changing.
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources14
Leaning Left4Leaning Right3Center1Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Left
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Left
50% Left
L 50%
13%
R 37%
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