Former AFL player Colin Sylvia has pleaded guilty to using stolen credit card details at a Melbourne brothel and to buy pornography.
The ex-Melbourne and Fremantle midfielder also used the details, which he copied from a customer when he worked at a Renault dealership, to transfer more than $4000 into an online betting account.
Sylvia, 32, pleaded guilty to several charges in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Monday, including fraudulently using the credit card details at a brothel.
Former AFL player Colin Sylvia (pictured) pleaded guilty to using stolen credit card details
The ex-Melbourne and Fremantle midfielder used the details at a brothel and to buy porn
He bought two one-hour sessions at the now-closed Daily Planet at Elsternwick, each costing more than $300, the court was told.
Sylvia saved the card details to his phone while he was working at Melbourne City Renault at Port Melbourne. He was later sacked from the job.
Defence lawyer Belinda Franjic said the offences reflected Sylvia’s troubled state of mind following his retirement from professional football.
She urged the magistrate to consider a community-based corrections order rather than a jail sentence, noting Sylvia had repaid the victim and was living in the country with his family’s support.
‘He has come some way down the path of rehabilitation,’ Ms Franjic said.
Deputy chief magistrate Jelena Popovic ordered Sylvia be assessed for suitability for a community corrections order.
‘I have got some real issues around whether your client fully accepts responsibility,’ Ms Popovic said.
The former No.3 draft pick played 157 games for Melbourne before he was traded to Fremantle, where he played only six matches
Sylvia, 32, pleaded guilty to several charges in Melbourne Magistrates Court
The magistrate found Sylvia’s crimes hard to explain given he was a talented athlete with a successful football career and strong family support.
‘This is a court where you see many people who had very unfortunate and disagreeable backgrounds,’ she said.
‘When you come across someone who seemingly has everything – there is a real disconnect.’
Sylvia is due to return to court on Monday afternoon to continue the hearing.
The former No.3 draft pick played 157 games for Melbourne before he was traded to Fremantle, where he played only six matches.
He is now an assistant coach for Victorian county league club Meringur in the Mildura region.