Police drop sex assault case against De Goey

Police have been forced to pay $15,000 in legal fees for Collingwood star Jordan De Goey after dropping a charge against him over an alleged indecent assault in 2015.

A charge of indecent assault against Jordan De Goey has been dropped. Picture: AAP

Police have dropped a case against Collingwood footballer Jordan De Goey over a 2015 sexual assault.

The star AFL player was set to contest the allegations in a three-day contested hearing in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court from Monday.

But when his case was called the prosecution applied to withdraw the single charge of indecent assault.

The Chief Commissioner of Police was then ordered to pay his $15,000 legal fees.

De Goey appeared via video link with his barrister Dermot Dann, QC.

“This is a successful outcome for Mr De Goey,” Mr Dann told the court.

Jordan De Goey in action for Collingwood. Picture: Getty

The Magpies player was charged with one count of indecent assault over an alleged incident in Kew in 2015.

He was initially investigated by the league’s integrity unit in 2018 but no charges were laid at the time.

Victoria Police slapped De Goey with charges in July last year.

No reason was given in court for the charges being struck out.

De Goey said in a statement:

“The charge that I faced until today arose out of events that took place in June 2015.

Since that time I have cooperated with the AFL integrity investigation, the police investigation and the court process with respect to this matter.

I have maintained my innocence from the outset.

I am very pleased that the matter has now come to an end.

I’d like to thank my family, friends, teammates, sponsors, Collingwood Football Club and my lawyers, Tony Hargreaves and Dermot Dann QC, for all of their support throughout this process.

At this time I would also like to indicate my respect to all parties associated with the prosecution of this charge and out of that respect I will not be making any further public comment on this matter.”

Victoria Polie was ordered to pay De Goey’s $15,000 in legal fees. Picture: Getty

The case against De Goey’s co-accused Jake Edginton, 25, from Hampton East, was also withdrawn, with his lawyers claiming $6300 in costs.

De Goey, 25, was able to continue playing footy after being charged in July last year, but the midfielder forward missed eight games after breaking his finger.

At the time he was charged by detectives from the Sexual Crimes Squad, the AFL confirmed an internal investigation in 2018 into the incident resulted in them providing “further education for De Goey and ongoing counselling for all parties”.

The withdrawal of the sexual assault case against him comes after De Goey last month fronted the same court on multiple traffic offences.

De Goey was allegedly busted driving his car down Punt Rd in South Yarra while suspended and using his mobile phone while behind the wheel on July 6, 2019.

On February 13 last year, police allege he also drove his motorbike down Alexandra Ave in the same suburb without a helmet or displaying his probationary plates.

The court heard he would plead guilty to the alleged offending at his next hearing on September 3.

Collingwood said in a statement:

“Collingwood notes that the charge of indecent assault laid against Jordan De Goey in 2020 has today been withdrawn.

The club accepts that the matter has been investigated thoroughly and dealt with by the appropriate authorities.

At all stages Collingwood has respected the legal process and the individuals involved.

Collingwood will not be making any further comment.”