Police unlikely to reopen Milne case

Updated May 03, 2012 12:29:59

Victoria Police will review a file detailing rape allegations against St Kilda football player Stephen Milne, but say it is extremely unlikely the case will be reopened.

Police investigated allegations Milne raped a woman at the home of his team-mate Leigh Montagna in 2004.

No charges were laid.

In 2010, a former detective said he had been pressured by officers to drop the case and evidence had gone missing.

An investigation by the Office of Police Integrity (OPI) found his concerns were reasonable, but there was no evidence of interference.

Deputy Police Commissioner Graham Ashton says the OPI found the file had been poorly kept and it will be reviewed by the sex crimes squad.

"They will go through that material, so if there is anything missing anything that needs to be done they will do that," he said.

"From what I have been told there is no new evidence or new information at all, that suggest the case be reopened," he said.

He says unless they find something was overlooked in the investigation, the case will remain closed.

Tags: police, crime, sexual-offences, australian-football-league, melbourne-3000

First posted May 03, 2012 12:29:59

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OPI calls for review of Milne rape allegations

Stephanie March

Updated May 03, 2012 11:01:18

The Office of Police Integrity (OPI) has recommended the evidence from a rape allegation against St Kilda footballer Stephen Milne be re-examined.

Milne was facing allegations in 2004 that he raped a woman at the home of team-mate Leigh Montagna after a club family day.

He was never charged.

In 2010, two former detectives said they had been pressured by members within the police force to drop the case against Milne.

One former detective said during the investigation that evidence went missing from his desk and the victim's statement was leaked to the club.

An investigation by the OPI has found concerns about interference were reasonable and the report recommends the evidence be reviewed.

The report also made a number of findings about shortcomings in the local management and oversight of the investigation.

In a statement, Victoria Police says the OPI concluded there was no specific evidence of "actual interference" found.

The force also said it had implemented substantial reforms and improvements to its sex crimes investigative processes since 2004, which they are confident would overcome these issues if repeated today.

Deputy Commissioner Graham Ashton told Fairfax Radio the file will be reviewed but it is unlikely the case will be reopened.

"From what I have been told there is no new evidence or new information at all, that suggest the case be reopened," he said.

"It is more a case that the file is incomplete, things aren't referred to properly, exhibits aren't recorded properly."

Tags: sexual-offences, crime, police, australian-football-league, st-kilda-3182

First posted May 03, 2012 07:29:57

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Milne inks new Saints deal

Posted July 7, 2011 12:21:00

St Kilda has enticed veteran forward Stephen Milne to play on for at least one more AFL season.

Milne, the Saints' leading goalkicker last year, has signed a one-year contract extension to line up in 2012.

Milne, 31, made his debut in 2001 and has since played 226 matches for the Saints.

One of the competition's most effective small forwards, he has bagged a total of 459 career goals.

Milne currently leads the Saints for goals scored in 2011 with 25.

"To retain someone of the character of Stephen Milne gives us great confidence in the ongoing stability and success of the club," Saints chief executive officer Michael Nettlefold said.

St Kilda has also extended the contract of young utility Nick Winmar for two more years.

A second cousin of former Saints great Nicky Winmar, he joined the club after being taken at pick 32 in the 2009 national draft.

- AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, australia, vic, melbourne-3000, st-kilda-3182

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