Rape charge dropped against Albion Park Harness Racing Club CEO Scott Steele days before trial

A rape charge has been dropped against stood down Albion Park Harness Racing Club chief executive Scott Steele.

Scott Steele.

By BEN DORRIES and PATRICK BILLINGS

A rape charge against stood down Albion Park Harness Racing Club chief executive Scott Steele has been sensationally dropped only days before he was due to face trial.

In the Queensland District Court on Thursday morning, a notice of withdrawal was presented indicating the Crown would not proceed with the rape indictment.

Steele still faces two counts of sexual assault and he denies those allegations.

Those sexual assault charges are now listed for mention in the District Court in Brisbane on August 8.

After a standoff between Racing Queensland, the harness club and Queensland Racing Minister Grace Grace, Steele was stood down on full pay in July 2022 after he had been committed to stand trial over the now withdrawn rape charge and the sexual assault charges.

The charges Steele has been facing date back to 2015 and 2016.

The rape allegation had been from 2015 and Steele was charged over that matter in July 2021.

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“Three years after the charge, and only days from the commencement of the trial, the Crown have withdrawn the charge,” Steele’s lawyer Daniel Hannay told Racenet.

“Mr Steele maintained his innocence and on no less than three occasions we have invited the Crown to withdraw the charges.

“On 22 September 2023, in a preliminary trial decision, the presiding judge noted that the video security footage does not support the complainant’s account in many respects including the allegation of rape.

“The burden of proof rests on the Crown, not Mr Steele or anyone in his position, especially where those accused have a profile.

“A lifetime building a career and goodwill can be tarnished in an instant.

“He still has a way to go, he maintains his innocence on all counts, but this decision is a step in the right direction.”

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In July 2022, the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission pulled their support for the Albion Park Harness Racing Club while Steele remained in power at the club.

The then QRIC boss Shane Gillard said stewards would still perform vital race day integrity services, but would not participate in any events or functions provided by the club.

Not long after, Steele was stood down.

Last year, former New Zealand cricket captain Ken Rutherford became top dog at the Albion Park Harness Club when he was appointed chief operating officer.

Rutherford, who frequently attended race meetings when on tour with the New Zealand cricket team when he played from 1985-95, had previously held racing positions such as chief executive of the Hawkesbury Race Club and New Zealand’s Waikato Racing Club.

Originally published as Rape charge dropped against Albion Park Harness Racing Club CEO Scott Steele days before trial