A Victorian jury is currently deliberating fraud allegations against former Australian Football League player Nick Stevens, who stands accused of systematically deceiving six regional families in a swimming pool installation scheme that allegedly netted him $171,000 while leaving properties damaged and dreams shattered.
The prosecution, led by Crown prosecutor Toni Stokes, presented its closing arguments Monday in the case against the former Port Adelaide and Carlton footballer, who played 231 professional games before transitioning to the pool business. Stevens faces thirteen counts of obtaining financial benefit by deception and one count of using a false document, with the original four theft charges having been dropped.
According to evidence presented in court, Stevens operated as a local distributor for Leisure Pools in Mildura during 2017 under the supervision of registered builder Brian McDonnell and his company Bricol. The prosecution alleges that after successfully installing six compliant pools, Stevens deliberately branched out independently despite knowing he lacked the necessary qualifications, insurance, and council permits to perform legal installations.
The heart of the case revolves around whether Stevens genuinely intended to provide legally-compliant pools or deliberately misled clients for financial gain. Prosecutor Stokes characterized the defendant as a ‘habitual liar’ who fabricated stories about permit applications and blamed others for delays while ultimately abandoning the projects, leaving families with either substandard installations or massive holes in their backyards.
Key evidence presented by the prosecution highlighted numerous inconsistencies in Stevens’ testimony, particularly regarding permit application forms that he claimed clients had completed but which neither the complainants nor Mr. McDonnell could verify. The prosecution noted Stevens’ inability to produce these allegedly critical documents, first blaming police for computer damage before changing his story to claim he couldn’t access his Gmail account.
Defense barrister Jim Stavris countered that Stevens had legitimate arrangements with Bricol to handle permitting and emphasized that clients had chosen his services specifically because they offered the most competitive pricing in the region. The defense referenced an email from McDonnell suggesting ongoing support for Stevens’ builder registration process.
The trial continues Tuesday with the defense’s closing arguments, after which the jury will determine whether Stevens deliberately defrauded the families or genuinely intended to complete the pool installations as promised.