Ex-AFL star Stephen Milne escapes conviction over indecent assault

Former St Kilda player Stephen Milne has escaped a conviction over the indecent assault of a 19-year-old ten years ago.

Milne was fined $15,000 in the Victorian County Court after he pleaded guilty to indecently assaulting the woman at team-mate Leigh Montagna's house in 2004.

In his sentencing, Judge Michael Bourke ran through the events of the night: "The room was dark, she did not see who was who".

He said the woman "suffered a good deal" and the incident had an impact on her work and social life.

The 34-year-old faced a maximum sentence of ten years imprisonment but Judge Bourke said a fine was appropriate.

He described the incident as a non-violent but physical sexual act.

Judge Bourke said both the victim and Milne had suffered due to the decade-long delay in bringing the matter to court, and described Milne as a different and far more mature man than at the time of his crime.

Earlier this month, the Office of Public Prosecutions dropped the charges of rape against him.

Milne was supported in court by his wife Melissa.