LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
Chevy Stewart, a young player for the Canberra Raiders, has evaded a criminal record following a drunken incident that resulted in nearly $5,000 in damages.
The fullback entered a guilty plea for a charge of property destruction after an occurrence at the Northies Cronulla Hotel last September.
During the court proceedings, it was disclosed that Stewart was at a gaming machine with friends around 9:45 PM when he spilled a "very small" amount of his drink on the screen after a loss.
Unbeknownst to him, the liquid caused the machine to short-circuit, leading to a blackout in the gaming area.
An agreed statement of facts presented in court noted that other patrons later attempted to use the now faulty machine before the power went out completely.
Magistrate Jillian Kiely characterized Stewart's behavior as a "very immature reaction to losing," acknowledging that alcohol likely contributed to the incident, even considering the minimal amount of liquid involved.
Crucially, the court recognized that Stewart did not intend to damage the machine.