31 August 2009

AFL star 'attacked cleaner during night out'

AFL player Dane Swan has been accused in court of participating in a "vicious, thuggish, savage and brutal" assault on a cleaner in Melbourne's CBD during a wild night out.

The Collingwood star allegedly joined Wayne Carey's nephew Kade and former VFL player Aaron Ramsay in punching and kicking Michael Celano at Federation Square in the early hours of December 21, 2003.

The 45-year-old victim was left with fractures to his eye socket, cheekbone and nose and the beating also allegedly led to him coughing up blood and losing consciousness, the Herald-Sun reports.

Mr Celano's counsel Michael Heaton QC told the court the victim and three security guards followed the accused trio moments after Carey allegedly "body-slammed" a passing car, causing its windscreen to crack.

CCTV footage from Federation Square shows two female occupants exiting the damaged car and the parties gathering before Carey is heard to swear the guards and say "I'll take yous all".

He is then seen grabbing guard Jesse James by the throat and strikes another guard in the face before a melee erupts, during which Mr James and Mr Celano are assaulted.

Mr Heaton told the court his client could be seen being punched and kicked by Swan, Carey and Ramsay.

He also claimed Swan can be seen running past Carey and Ramsay to punch Mr Celano as he apparently tried to get up off the ground before fleeing the scene before police arrived.

Mr Heaton told the court his client was unable to work or continue his part-time music career in a covers band, which was compounded by being refused WorkCover benefits on the grounds that the assault occurred during his meal break.

Mr Celano has sued Swan, Carey and Ramsay for damages in the County Court.

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