Ex-Test cricket star Stuart MacGill has been cleared of stalking and harassing a woman just months after his kidnapping.
- Stuart MacGill has been cleared of harassment charges
- The former Test player was emotional on hearing the verdict
- He was accused of stalking his friend’s ex-fiance, Samantha Ford
Former Test cricketer Stuart MacGill has claimed a court victory after allegations of harassment against him were dismissed.
MacGill, 52, was charged with stalking and verbally harassing Samantha Ford, the former fiancée of his friend Steven Kerlin, on a Sydney street and nearby pub on February 1, 2022.
Magistrate Christine Haskett told the Downing Center local court on Friday that she would not accept evidence from Ms Ford that MacGill was shouting and pointing at her in a threatening manner.
MacGill was emotional as the verdict was read and appeared via video link in a black shirt.
Ms. Ford appeared in the courtroom all in black as the verdict was read.
Stuart MacGill (pictured, with his partner Maria O’Meagher), 52, was accused of stalking and verbally harassing his friend Steven Kerlin’s former fiancée, Samantha Ford, on a Sydney street and nearby pub on Feb. 1 2022
Ms Ford (pictured) appeared in the courtroom all in black as the verdict was read
The former leg spinner, who took 208 wickets in 44 Tests for Australia, told the court in January he was concerned Kerlin was suicidal after breaking up with Ms Ford several months earlier.
After being unable to contact him, MacGill went to Kerlin’s Barangaroo apartment where he drank “six or seven” of bourbon and coke.
As the pair were walking towards the Captain Cook Hotel, Kerlin saw Mrs. Ford and started yelling at her.
After a brief verbal altercation, Ms Ford told the court she had gone to the pub to tell staff not to serve the couple any more alcohol.
The judge said Ms Ford’s claims did not match witness evidence or CCTV footage.
The former leg spinner (pictured) told the court in January he feared Kerlin was suicidal after breaking up with Ms Ford several months earlier
The Ms. Ford incident came just 10 months after MacGill was allegedly kidnapped on a street in northern Sydney and drove to Bringelly in the city’s southwest before reportedly being attacked.
He was later driven back to Belmore and released.
Two men were later charged with the incident, including MacGill’s brother-in-law Marino Sotiropoulos.