Brian Lake freed after pleading guilty to assault, trespassing

Embattled footy star Brian Lake has walked free from jail this afternoon after pleaded guilty to a suite of stalking, assault and trespassing offences after a violent incident at a home in Melbourne’s west this week.

Former Western Bulldogs and Hawthorn player Brian Lake leaving court in March. Picture: David Crosling

Embattled footy star Brian Lake has walked free from jail after pleaded guilty to a suite of stalking, assault and trespassing offences.

The former premiership player was released from the Sunshine Magistrates’ Court this afternoon after spending two nights in custody following a violent incident at a home in Melbourne’s west this week.

The court heard the former Hawthorn star went to the woman’s house on Tuesday night after receiving a distressing text message which read: “I’m sick of this life”.

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Lake tried to contact the woman, who cannot be identified, several times but his calls went unanswered.

His lawyer told Magistrate Jennifer Grubissa this interaction prompted the accused to go to the woman’s home, but conceded it was “no excuse for his behaviour” which involved stealing her phone and becoming aggressive.

Lake handed himself into police the next day but gave mostly no comment responses and made no admissions, court documents reveal.

He was charged with stalking, theft, criminal damage, breaching the peace and committing an offence while on bail.

Fallen former AFL star Brian Lake has been arrested and charged following an alleged violent incident.

The former AFL player and Survivor contestant has had a tumultuous past few months, including a stint in prison in Japan.

It comes as Lake was set to plead guilty to a similar incident during which he stalked a woman before going on a wild rampage at her Aintree home in February.

On Thursday the former footballer pleaded guilty to those charges which included assault, trespassing, intentionally causing damage to a bedroom door, and stalking the victim.

The court was told Lake filmed the victim in her home and used iPad software to listen to her private conversations in the two days prior to the February 17 rampage.

Lake was on Friday convicted and slapped with an 18-month community corrections order.

Magistrate Grubissa told the fallen star if not for his lack of criminal history, she would have had no choice but to jail him.

“These are serious charges and It’s important that this reality is not lost on you,” Ms Grubissa said.

The magistrate said she had also taken into account Lake had positively engaged with behaviour programs, was the financial provider for his family and was taking steps to address his mental health issues.

The court also heard Lake was a valued employee and was supported by his boss who was present in the courtroom.

“I can see your clear appreciation that what you did was wrong and that you are remorseful,” Ms Grubissa said.

But she warned that if Lake breached the conditions of his corrections order in any way, he would be thrown back in jail, adding: you are the only one that controls that.

Lake was also ordered to complete 250 hours of community service and his licence was suspended for 21 days for driving offences dating back to March 2018.

The father of two refused to answer questions from media outside court and was quickly whisked away by a waiting ute.

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