Rape charges against ex-AFL star dropped

Former St Kilda footballer Stephen Milne has had three rape charges dropped during a court hearing in Melbourne today.

The move follows a decade-long saga after the 34-year-old was charged following a complaint from a woman, then 19, in March 2004.

The three sexual assault charges were dropped during a plea hearing in the County Court, while Milne pleaded guilty to one count of indecent assault ahead of a trial which was due to begin on November 24.

Milne was accused of engaging in sexual acts in the bedroom of his then St Kilda teammate Leigh Montagna on March 15, 2004 - just hours after the club held a family day.

Prosecutor Mark Rochford, SC, said the woman believed she was engaging in sexual acts with Montagna when it was in fact Milne.

Milne pleaded not guilty to the rape charges after a committal hearing at Melbourne Magistrates Court last year.

Milne and Montagna were arrested in 2004 after the woman reported allegations to police but no charges were laid at the time.

The committal hearing last year was told Milne denied having sex with the woman who had accused him of rape.

The woman and a friend were in the same bedroom with Milne and Montagna at the time of the incident, Mr Rochford said.

Milne was charged in June last year after a probe into the initial police investigation by the Office of Police Integrity, while Montagna was never charged.

Milne, who retired last year after 275 games for St Kilda, was supported in court by wife, Melissa, St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt and recently retired Saints star Lenny Hayes.

The court heard Milne faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in jail for the charge of indecent assault.

The hearing, before judge Michael Bourke, continues.