Ex-AFL player Nick Stevens accused of defrauding six Mildura families of $170k

A former AFL player allegedly defrauded clients in his snooker business and left some of them out of pocket, leaving “giant holes” in their backyards, a jury has been told.

Former Port Adelaide and Carlton player Nicholas James Stevens is on trial in the District Court of Victoria over allegations he defrauded six families in the regional city of Mildura.

The 46-year-old man was alternatively charged with 13 counts of obtaining financial advantage by deception, one count of using a false document and four counts of theft. He pleaded not guilty.

Summing up the Crown’s case on Tuesday morning, prosecutor Toni Stokes alleged Mr Stevens deceived six families into paying him $171,000 for pools that were either illegally installed or not provided.

He said in 2017 Mr Stevens ran a landscaping business in the northwestern Victoria city before becoming a dealer for Leisure Pools, described as a global fiberglass pool manufacturer.

Ms Stokes told the jury the defendant claimed he had received training in the legality of the sale and installation of swimming pools and had carried out the legal installation of six pools under supervision.

But the prosecutor claimed Mr Stevens “decided to go out alone, knowing he was unlicensed”.

Mr Stevens allegedly received tens of thousands of dollars in payments from six families despite knowing he was not qualified as a registered builder and needed a large construction contract and home construction insurance.

Allegedly, three families were left with “illegal and poor quality” swimming pools, while three other families were left with “huge holes in their backyards”.

Ms Stokes told the court jurors would hear evidence that Mr Sevens was facing “serious cash flow problems” and was indebted to a Leisure Pools distributor.

He said each of the six families was expected to give evidence about their dealings with Mr Stevens, describing initial excitement, endless delays, excuses and, finally, disappointment.

One family was allegedly given a full refund of $26,500 from Mr. Stevens, while another family was allegedly given a partial refund of $10,000.

In response, attorney Jim Stavris, on behalf of Mr. Stevens, asked jurors to listen “very, very carefully” to the evidence at trial, including the chronology of his client’s education.

He told the court Mr Stevens’ “intent” was a key consideration in the case, arguing that the two families who received refunds were “evidence of Mr Stevens’ intent”.

“Mr. Stevens’ intentions, what he thinks, are very important in this case,” he said.

“I would like to inform you that if someone intends to defraud or deceive someone, they do not give the money back.”

Jurors in the trial were brought back into court after a lunch break to be told by Judge Fiona Todd that they would have an “early day”.

“I have been informed that for technical reasons the first part of the evidence cannot be played this afternoon,” he said.

“We’ll start with the evidence tomorrow.”

The trial continues.