Charges dropped against cricket star Stuart MacGill

Cricket legend Stuart MacGill cried as he scored a major victory in court after being accused of intimidating a pub owner.

Former national cricketing star Stuart MacGill cried in court as he was cleared of screaming obscenities at a pub owner and intimidating her in a drunken tirade.

Police allege the 52-year-old and his friend Stephen Kerlin, 54, verbally abused Argyle Bar owner Samantha Lorraine Ford on two occasions in Sydney’s CBD last year.

The two men were accused of approaching the woman, who is Mr Kerlin’s former partner, on a corner near the Lord Nelson pub around 6pm on February 1.

Ms Ford told the court that Mr MacGill called her a “c***y c***”, an “a**hole”, and shouted at her that she was “going down”.

Mr MacGill became emotional in court on Friday. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

When she followed the pair to the nearby Captain Cook hotel, she claimed the “extremely angry” legendary spin bowler had towered over her and intimidated her as she stood in the entryway.

“I felt scared, very scared, intimidated, threatened,” she recalled.

On Friday, Magistrate Christine Haskett said the court had “grave reservations” about Ms Ford’s reliability and credibility as a witness.

She noted that none of the witnesses were able to corroborate her claims Mr MacGill had yelled at her that she was a “c***y c***” ten times on the street, or he similarly abused her at the Captain Cook hotel.

Magistrate Haskett said nobody could corroborate Samantha Ford’s claim Mr MacGill had called her a “c***y c***” ten times. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

The court found she was an unreliable witness. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

“It’s important to note that no one else gave evidence that these words were said at any time by anyone,” the magistrate said.

The court heard the pub owner’s version of events was “completely inconsistent” with the CCTV footage which showed Mr MacGill had not blocked her entry to the hotel or approached her.

The defence argued Ms Ford’s evidence was “not just lacking in credibility and reliability but (was) so poor that the only reasonable conclusion is that she was deliberately untruthful”.

Ms Haskett dismissed the charges of intimidation and using offensive language in a public place laid against the former test cricketer.

“I am not satisfied that (Ms Ford’s) evidence is truthful and reliable beyond reasonable doubt,” she said.

“I find (Mr MacGill) was not intimidating or threatening towards Ms Ford.”

The cricket commentator wore a black shirt as he appeared in Downing Centre Local Court via audiovisual link on Friday.

He became emotional and wiped away tears as the magistrate delivered her decision.

Outside court, his lawyer Steven Mercael said the spin bowler was “extremely pleased” with the outcome and his client had been vindicated.

“It was untruthful evidence and it really never should have gone to court,” he told reporters.

“We’re extremely relieved and he can finally move on.”

Mr MacGill is considered one of Australia’s most talented spin bowlers.

He played 44 Test matches and 3 one day internationals in his career.

Widely renowned as one of the best leg spinners in Australian memory, Mr MacGill frequently had to settle for second place behind star spin bowler Shane Warne.

Mr MacGill announced his retirement from international cricket in 2008.

Although he didn’t have a regular place on the Australian test cricket team, he consistently played for the national side between 1998 and 2008.

Ms Ford declined to comment as she left the courthouse.

Originally published as Charges dropped against cricket star Stuart MacGill