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Richmond footballer Dion Prestia and retired Demon defender Steven May have been cleared over a wild street brawl in Sorrento that left two young men in hospital.
The pair appeared via videolink in Frankston Magistrates’ Court on Friday where it was announced charges against them were being withdrawn.
Prosecutors did not say why they were dropping the case, but the pair have both repeatedly claimed they were not involved in the fracas and would be cleared of any wrongdoing.
Sorrento man William Salter is still unable to see out of one eye following injuries sustained in a clash between two groups in the early hours of December 27, 2024.
Prestia and May had been out celebrating a buck’s night on the Mornington Peninsula when their group came across a group of locals on the street they had earlier exchanged words with at a nearby pub.
A scuffle then broke out, away from the sight of any CCTV cameras.
May had been charged with affray and Prestia with recklessly causing serious injury and affray.
Prestia and May were awarded costs over the dumped case, but their lawyers declined to comment outside court.
Storm Bobridge pleaded guilty in February to affray after being injured in the brawl and was convicted and fined $7500.
May retired suddenly from the AFL in March, following a period of personal leave. Prestia had to watch Richmond notch up their first victory for the season from the bench last weekend when he suffered a calf injury minutes into the game against West Coast.
More to come
Sherryn Groch is a journalist at The Age covering crime. Email her at s.groch@nine.com.au or contact her securely on Signal @SherrynG.70Connect via X or email.From our partners
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