Court slams ex-test spinner Stuart McGill’s ‘untrue’ accusers

Former Test cricketer Stuart McGill has claimed an emotional court victory after a judge dismissed the threat charges against him.

McGill, 52, has been charged with stalking and verbally threatening his friend’s ex-fiancé Samantha Ford on the streets of Sydney and a nearby pub on 1 February 2022.

Justice Christine Haskett said Friday in Downing Center District Court that she would not accept Ford’s evidence that McGill shouted threateningly and pointed at her.

McGill burst into tears as the verdict was read. The cricketer emerged via video link from an unknown location in Sydney in an unbuttoned black shirt.

His attorney, Stephen Merkel, said the evidence against his client was false and the case should never have gone to court.

“Of course I would have seen him on screen, but I was very upset,” he told reporters outside the courtroom. “This whole process was very exhausting for him.

“Our team is really happy for him and he is very happy.”

Ford appeared in court in all black as the verdict was read out.

The former legspiner, who has 208 wickets in 44 Tests for Australia, said he was worried his friend Stephen Carlin would commit suicide after his relationship with Ford fell apart months ago. He told the court in January.

off to the pub

After losing contact, McGill went to Carlin’s Barangaroo apartment, where he drank “six or seven bottles” of bourbon and coke.

As they were walking to the Captain Cook Hotel in The Rocks, Carlin spotted Ford and started screaming at her.

Ms. Ford claimed McGill yelled, “Fuck you, fuck you!”

However, Mr. Haskett dismissed Mr. Ford’s account, saying that none of the independent witnesses present heard him say anything to that effect.

Ford claimed to have visited the Captain Cook Hotel and told staff not to serve the couple any more alcohol.

There she said McGill stood over her, shouted, pointed aggressively, and made her feel threatened.

As proof, she said McGill was yelling in his face for a minute before Carlin said anything.

But CCTV footage showed Carlin approaching Ford first, while McGill remained roughly in the same spot.

While his ex-partner squabbled, McGill spent most of the time looking down at his phone, pointing at her for just a second.

“Completely inconsistent”

The judge said Ms. Ford’s allegations “completely contradicted” various witness evidence and CCTV footage.

“The court has serious reservations about Mr. Ford’s credibility and credibility as a witness,” she said.

Ms McGill’s attorneys have submitted that Ms Ford’s evidence was “so weak that the only reasonable conclusion is that she deliberately lied under oath.”

Carlin had previously pleaded guilty to charges of stalking and threatening and violating an order of violence in which he was arrested.

He was sentenced to a two-year community corrections order and a $2,090 fine.

-AAP

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