NRL star in tears at not guilty verdict

Sea Eagles fullback Brett Stewart has been putting in his legal defence to a charge of sexual assault this week. Photo / Getty Images

Rugby league star Brett Stewart broke down sobbing in the dock of a Sydney courtroom after a jury found he did not sexually assault a 17-year-old girl.

The 25-year-old Manly Sea Eagles fullback was acquitted today of two charges of indecent assault and one charge of sexual assault.

The decision came after 10 days of evidence and submissions at Sydney's Downing Centre District Court.

The footballer avoided the media throng outside the court, but his lawyer, Ian Byrne, said he was "very grateful" for the verdicts.

"They always were confident that this would be the result but obviously are very grateful," Mr Byrne said, adding that his client would not be speaking to reporters.

"The investigation and process took 18 months, the jury took but an hour and a half to reach a conclusion."

The jury of five women and seven men spent less than two hours deliberating the verdict, after retiring late yesterday.

Judge Jonathan Williams had asked them to return a unanimous finding on each charge.

One woman juror cried as the results were returned.

Tears also flowed among members of Stewart's camp, which included long-term girlfriend Jaime Baker, his parents, relatives, friends and teammates.

Loud applause filled the courtroom and hugs were exchanged as Judge Williams thanked and dismissed the jury.

Stewart was charged after a 17-year-old girl alleged that on March 6, 2009, she was digitally penetrated and tongue-kissed outside a north Manly townhouse complex where they both lived.

Stewart denied the charges and in evidence said it was the girl who made advances towards him.

The charges ended Stewart's role as the face of the 2009 rugby league campaign, although the fullback was permitted to continue playing.

"This has no doubt been a traumatic time for all involved, and hopefully Brett and indeed everyone connected with the case are now able to move on with their lives," NRL chief executive David Gallop said in a statement.

The Manly Sea Eagles club said Stewart would be given all the time necessary to "recover from the traumatic last year and a half".

Reporters waited for more than an hour for Stewart and his supporters to emerge from the court complex this morning, but the group was believed to have left by a rear exit.

- AAP