Third woman who joined Sydney Swans players in Melbourne hotel is exploring civil action, lawyer says
A third woman who was in a Melbourne hotel room with five Sydney Swans players on Monday morning is exploring a civil claim while continuing to speak with police, her lawyer at Slater and Gordon said on Saturday as Victoria police investigate an alleged sexual assault at the Pullman Hotel in Melbourne.
The five players — Isaac Heeney, Nick Blakey, Chad Warner, Riley Bice and James Jordon — were stood down for the rest of the AFL season by the Sydney Swans this week after breaching the club’s standards, which the club says included drinking and bringing women back to their hotel following Sunday’s win over Essendon in Melbourne. Victoria police said in a statement on Saturday they are continuing to investigate an alleged sexual assault that occurred early on Monday morning at the Pullman Hotel, where the Swans were staying; none of the five players have been arrested or charged and many details about the allegations and any links to the team remain unknown.
Slater and Gordon’s senior lawyer Jackson Pannam said his client had engaged the firm and was exploring lodging a civil claim while cooperating with the police investigation. “Our client has had her entire world turned upside down and is now trying to navigate an incredibly traumatic experience,” Pannam said, and he added that his client was the individual who contacted Victoria police immediately following the alleged sexual assault and is continuing to speak with police for their investigations.
Pannam also emphasised the separation between civil and criminal processes, saying any civil claim would be separate to any criminal proceedings, and added: “Everyone deserves to be safe going about their life, at home, at work, and in public spaces without risk of being assaulted or harmed.” He concluded with: “We’re standing with our client to give her support at this difficult time, and to help her get the justice she deserves.”
A separate legal team, Carbone Lawyers, has reportedly been engaged to represent two other women who were in the hotel room; a partner at the firm, Manny Carbone, told Nine newspapers the women would launch legal proceedings seeking damages for pain and suffering, psychological injury and economic loss. “We are currently investigating the circumstances and preparing to commence legal proceedings against the club and potentially the individuals involved,” Carbone said, and he added: “Our clients are extremely traumatised and feel that their dignity and personal rights have been seriously violated by the events of Monday.”
The Sydney Swans issued a joint statement from the five players on Wednesday evening apologising in relation to the club sanctions. “We are deeply sorry to everyone involved,” they said. “We know that our behaviour has fallen well short of the standards expected of us and the values of our club.”
The club issued its own statement on Saturday saying it “supports the action taken by Victoria police in releasing today’s statement regarding the investigation” and adding: “The Sydney Swans categorically confirms that no member of staff is involved in the investigation. This includes being in the hotel room central to the police investigation. The club reiterates that no player has been interviewed by police at this stage.”
Victoria police continue to investigate the alleged sexual assault at the Pullman Hotel, the women who were in the room are pursuing legal representation and the Swans have stood the five players down for the remainder of the AFL season while inquiries and any potential legal proceedings proceed.