‘Inspiring’ Dani Laidley backed by former North Melbourne stars in court after facing stalking charges

Former North Melbourne coach Dani Laidley has been backed by two of the club’s former stars in court as she promised good behaviour in the wake of stalking charges.

Dani Laidley, who was formerly known as Dean

Former AFL coach Dani Laidley has been backed by two old North Melbourne teammates as she promised she would be of good behaviour for 18 months following her “humiliating” public arrest on stalking charges.

Ex-Kangaroo players Mark Brayshaw and Anthony Stevens provided character references for Laidley, formerly known as Dean, as she fronted Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday to plead guilty to a single count of stalking.

Brayshaw – chief executive of the AFL Coaches Association – detailed how the entire AFL community was supporting Laidley.

He said he admired Laidley’s resilience and how his life had become “enriched” on being involved in the journey to affirm her gender.

Brayshaw said he had learnt more about the issues the transgender community faced, and described Laidley as “a remarkable and inspiring person”.

Stevens – a close friend of Laidley’s – also spoke of her commitment to her family, and her “strength and determination to find the best version” of herself since the “humiliating” exposure of a photo of her in police custody wearing a dress, long blonde wig and makeup.

The photo – suspected of being taken and leaked by police members – made national headlines within hours of Laidley, 53, being arrested outside a woman’s home she had been persistently stalking in St Kilda on May 2.

The woman, who had been in a relationship with Laidley for three years, called police “fearful and apprehensive” after Laidley was parked on her street and was sending her photos of the outside of her house.

A court sketch of former AFL coach Dani Laidley during a bail hearing at Melbourne Magistrates Court in May

The court heard that between April 25 and May 2, Laidley had bombarded the woman with calls and texts and went to her workplace, leaving flowers on her car.

On the day of her arrest, she called the victim 43 times.

Her barrister Rob Stary said Laidley “was clearly emotionally attached” to the woman and, despite their relationship souring, was still sending her messages telling her “I want to make you the happiest person in the world” and “we are meant to be together”.

He said the offending came at a time when Laidley was excessively using methylamphetamine, and had engaged an endocrinologist “to deal with issues of gender transitioning and sexuality”.

Since being arrested, he said, Laidley had completed inpatient treatment at a drug and alcohol rehabilitation clinic, with staff reporting he “participated with vigour” and “became a role model” to others.

Laidley, who played 151 AFL games from 1987-97, has remained drug free, being tested three times a week, as part of her continued treatment and rehabilitation, the court heard. “The support the football community has provided has been a critical aspect in Ms Laidley’s rehabilitation,” Mr Stary said.

Anthony Stevens (second from right) provided former coach Laidley (right) with a character reference

Magistrate Jack Vandersteen said Laidley had made positive steps to getting her life back on track and clearly had strong community and family support.

He placed her on a good behaviour bond for 18 months, telling her the stalking charge would be struck out if she complied.

It will mean Laidley will avoid a conviction, allowing her to pursue work in raising awareness about transgender issues in the community.

“Ms Laidley can be a useful vehicle in assisting the community in dealing with people who experience transgender issues and transition – and that’s what she wants to do,” Mr Stary told the court. “She wants to be able to utilise that experience in a positive way.”

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