Clayton Lewis (Unattached FC)

Ranix

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/573359/sports-corruption-case-former-all-white-clayton-lewis-struggled-with-gambling-addiction-court-told

Sentence to now be delivered next Wednesday.

Reading that article the Crown isn't seeking a prison term. But odds on Davila is going to get one. I'd say Lewis and Baccus are going to now be prime witnesses for Davila's trial.

Pretty sure that is Narelle in the 2nd photo at the back with Lewis's family. Maybe Lewis himself will get a TV pundit gig in the future. Been a few sportsmen who have with major contrition put a scandal behind them to work in sports media. Become a spokesman for the dangers of gambling addiction etc etc



Lewis and Baccus each pleaded guilty to one charge of engaging in conduct that corrupted a betting outcome in July, and were due to be sentenced on Wednesday.

However, after hearing lengthy submissions from Lewis' lawyers, Magistrate Michael Blair adjourned the hearing until next Wednesday, when he will hand down his sentence.

Lewis' legal representatives, Zemarai Khatiz and Gabrielle Bashir, are seeking a community release order of two years, and that a conviction not be entered.

Bashir submitted to the court Lewis' moral culpability was at the lower end, as the 28 year-old was "targeted and exploited" because he was a known gambling addict.

She added there was a clear power imbalance between Davila, his former captain, and Lewis.

"Not only was he targeted, he was asked to do it by someone who was in a position of power and influence over him."

The court heard Lewis has since been diagnosed with a gambling addiction and is undergoing treatment.

Davila, the team's captain and alleged "point man" for a South American crime figure, is yet to enter a plea on the nine charges he faces, and is due to reappear before the court later this month.

The court also heard Lewis has suffered from serious mental health impacts following his arrest in May last year.

Bashir told the court her client has been diagnosed with depression and PTSD as a result of his arrest, when "police in tactical gear stormed his apartment while he and his partner slept".

"Not only was that apartment stormed, there is an image that went all around the world of him being cuffed and searched."

She added Lewis had already suffered significant punishment.

"He has carried the scorn of the nation. It will indelibly follow him for the rest of his life."

The crown is seeking a community correction order for both Lewis and Baccus, and asked the magistrate to consider "what message it would send to the football community" if convictions for the offending were not entered.

Bashir told the court her client has been diagnosed with depression and PTSD as a result of his arrest, when "police in tactical gear stormed his apartment while he and his partner slept".

"Not only was that apartment stormed, there is an image that went all around the world of him being cuffed and searched."

That did strike me at the time as immensely bullshark. Not even letting him put clothes on before they arrested him, but restraining him in his briefs and then photographing him and posting it to social media. That’s not in a police procedure I’ve heard about or seen for other criminal cases.

https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2025/09/17/betting-scandal-will-follow-clayton-lewis-for-rest-of-his-life-lawyer-tells-court/

Lewis had been targeted because of his gambling addiction, Ms Bashir said.

He had shown remorse and had written a letter of apology. Lewis was now working as a packer in a warehouse.

She asked that Lewis be sentenced to a two-year condition release order, to be served in the community, and without the recording of a conviction.

Baccus’s lawyer, Bryan Wrench, told the court that Davila held a power imbalance over his players.

“Davila was not only the captain of the team, but the captain of the scheme,” he said.

“He was the one who organised it. He directed it. He continued it.

“He was the one who was revered and admired.”

Baccus now works as a truck driver.

The pair have been remanded till Wednesday September 24 when magistrate Micahel Blair will hand down their sentences.

They face a maximum penalty of 10 years’ jail, but the Crown prosecution has asked for both players to be sentenced to community-based release orders.

Lewis and Baccus are not accused of betting on the match, and the agreed facts presented to the court said the players had no knowledge of the wagers.

Davila has yet to plead to nine charges and is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday September 25.

Lewis and Baccus face sanctions from football bodies following the conclusion of their court cases.

They and Davila were issued with no-fault interim suspension notices by Football Australia, preventing them from any football or club-related activities until the matters were dealt with by the court.

reading all the bolded stuff it seems as though Baccus and Lewis are firmly laying the blame at Davilla's feet, scapegoat anyone, he too was probably being highly influenced by whatever betting cartel was behind the thing. 
10 years prison and a ban form the game - fine. Anything less is a sham. Lewis isnt the victim here, the fans are and the league. He is an addict who was looking to make a quick/easy dollar in a get rich quick scam.

Anything less than 10 years is a scam... ok.

My old man was/is a gambling addict. The shark he did to fund his addiction was appalling and caused no shortage of family drama and animosity that has impacted his relationship with me and my siblings indefinately. 

But is he evil - no. His addiction hurt him more than it did us in the long term and with Lewis it will be the same. Loss of friendship, family potentially to the probable loss of his career.

I'm happy with no jail time. Glad to see he is getting treatment, hopefully it sticks. 

Jail time doesn't prevent crime (evidence proves this), nor does it take back what has been done. I fail to see how putting him away serves any community good.

Have been down the slippery slope of gambling addiction and the consequences that come with it.
Frankly its just a cop out to blame that as the reason why he did it.
Does seem as if they are posturing to lay the blame at Davila for me thats also a cop out dont see Davila being the threatening stand over type.
As for the way they were arrested its been stated South American gangs were involved they had every reason to take precautions given the violence they are known for.

10 years prison is an outrageous call.

10 years in prison is absolutely outrageous. Almost inhumane if you believe that’s just cause.

Sh817

This warrants jail time. Nothing against the guy we all make mistakes. 

But this is absolutely next level. If you don’t put the foot down now and put a stamp on it what does that teach the younger generation coming through?

That if you take a little cheeky punt on the TAB manipulating outcomes of football games where people have their money on it.
Eventually you’ll find you’re way out of it and be able to go play pro football abroad again? Needs a serious punishment. Don’t care if it was for 10k or 1 million. 

Needs to be serious penalties at all levels, seen more of it happening in the NPL recently with Gold Coast United players too. 

Nonsense take.

Just reading the article in the NZ Herald on Clayton Lewis and what add pops up but betcha…..

Can the courts in Oz hand out "compulsory addiction treatment"? Because honestly that seems to be the right remedy here, apart from a ban from football measured in decades

ballane

Have been down the slippery slope of gambling addiction and the consequences that come with it.
Frankly its just a cop out to blame that as the reason why he did it.
Does seem as if they are posturing to lay the blame at Davila for me thats also a cop out dont see Davila being the threatening stand over type.
As for the way they were arrested its been stated South American gangs were involved they had every reason to take precautions given the violence they are known for.

Greed is the sole reason they all did this, sure maybe someone coerced them an made it sound like a sure thing but at the end of it all it boils down to pure greed at the expense of others. They bring the reputation of the league down, breached whatever contract they have with their employer and the APL. A little hug and sit down isnt gonna punish the crime and deceit.
These guys may well have lost friends and careers, but that's the least they deserve for trying to profit of something that we as fans hold dear to our hearts - had this not been caught when it had it would have grown and our game would have been ruined.
Thankfully the Aussie police were onto it a stamped it out with the force that it deserved. Lock them up and throw away the key. I never want to see Lewis' face in the media again, his smarmy little I know better smirk can rot in prison for all I care.

theprof

ballane

Have been down the slippery slope of gambling addiction and the consequences that come with it.
Frankly its just a cop out to blame that as the reason why he did it.
Does seem as if they are posturing to lay the blame at Davila for me thats also a cop out dont see Davila being the threatening stand over type.
As for the way they were arrested its been stated South American gangs were involved they had every reason to take precautions given the violence they are known for.

Greed is the sole reason they all did this, sure maybe someone coerced them an made it sound like a sure thing but at the end of it all it boils down to pure greed at the expense of others. They bring the reputation of the league down, breached whatever contract they have with their employer and the APL. A little hug and sit down isnt gonna punish the crime and deceit.
These guys may well have lost friends and careers, but that's the least they deserve for trying to profit of something that we as fans hold dear to our hearts - had this not been caught when it had it would have grown and our game would have been ruined.
Thankfully the Aussie police were onto it a stamped it out with the force that it deserved. Lock them up and throw away the key. I never want to see Lewis' face in the media again, his smarmy little I know better smirk can rot in prison for all I care.

theprof

ballane

Have been down the slippery slope of gambling addiction and the consequences that come with it.
Frankly its just a cop out to blame that as the reason why he did it.
Does seem as if they are posturing to lay the blame at Davila for me thats also a cop out dont see Davila being the threatening stand over type.
As for the way they were arrested its been stated South American gangs were involved they had every reason to take precautions given the violence they are known for.

Greed is the sole reason they all did this, sure maybe someone coerced them an made it sound like a sure thing but at the end of it all it boils down to pure greed at the expense of others. They bring the reputation of the league down, breached whatever contract they have with their employer and the APL. A little hug and sit down isnt gonna punish the crime and deceit.
These guys may well have lost friends and careers, but that's the least they deserve for trying to profit of something that we as fans hold dear to our hearts - had this not been caught when it had it would have grown and our game would have been ruined.
Thankfully the Aussie police were onto it a stamped it out with the force that it deserved. Lock them up and throw away the key. I never want to see Lewis' face in the media again, his smarmy little I know better smirk can rot in prison for all I care.

First, wow. Who hurt you to say the things at the end? 
Second, not sure of your experiences with addiction but from mine it's not done out of greed. It's about filling the endless pit that is addiction.

theprof

reading all the bolded stuff it seems as though Baccus and Lewis are firmly laying the blame at Davilla's feet, scapegoat anyone, he too was probably being highly influenced by whatever betting cartel was behind the thing. 
10 years prison and a ban form the game - fine. Anything less is a sham. Lewis isnt the victim here, the fans are and the league. He is an addict who was looking to make a quick/easy dollar in a get rich quick scam.

if he gets anything more than a fine and community service the court system is a joke.

People get a few years for manslaughter! 

This is turning into a more general chat about how society treats crimes! 

Greed often is not a motivation when it comes to gambling addiction. What i find interesting is the people who claim gambling addiction as an excuse for why they did something once they have been caught. Sometimes its an easy excuse to use when it hasnt been a problem or anywhere near the level of addiction prior to being caught.

theprof

ballane

Have been down the slippery slope of gambling addiction and the consequences that come with it.
Frankly its just a cop out to blame that as the reason why he did it.
Does seem as if they are posturing to lay the blame at Davila for me thats also a cop out dont see Davila being the threatening stand over type.
As for the way they were arrested its been stated South American gangs were involved they had every reason to take precautions given the violence they are known for.

Greed is the sole reason they all did this, sure maybe someone coerced them an made it sound like a sure thing but at the end of it all it boils down to pure greed at the expense of others. They bring the reputation of the league down, breached whatever contract they have with their employer and the APL. A little hug and sit down isnt gonna punish the crime and deceit.
These guys may well have lost friends and careers, but that's the least they deserve for trying to profit of something that we as fans hold dear to our hearts - had this not been caught when it had it would have grown and our game would have been ruined.
Thankfully the Aussie police were onto it a stamped it out with the force that it deserved. Lock them up and throw away the key. I never want to see Lewis' face in the media again, his smarmy little I know better smirk can rot in prison for all I care.

Unhinged take mate.

Are you ok?

I agree with the prof, Clayton Lewis should spend 1 billion million years in prison and also Chris Killen should have his record wiped clean.

Purposefully getting a yellow card is clearly an extreme crime worthy of 3 years more prison time than you would get for strangulation or abducting a child under the age of 16.

Monto

theprof

ballane

Have been down the slippery slope of gambling addiction and the consequences that come with it.
Frankly its just a cop out to blame that as the reason why he did it.
Does seem as if they are posturing to lay the blame at Davila for me thats also a cop out dont see Davila being the threatening stand over type.
As for the way they were arrested its been stated South American gangs were involved they had every reason to take precautions given the violence they are known for.

Greed is the sole reason they all did this, sure maybe someone coerced them an made it sound like a sure thing but at the end of it all it boils down to pure greed at the expense of others. They bring the reputation of the league down, breached whatever contract they have with their employer and the APL. A little hug and sit down isnt gonna punish the crime and deceit.
These guys may well have lost friends and careers, but that's the least they deserve for trying to profit of something that we as fans hold dear to our hearts - had this not been caught when it had it would have grown and our game would have been ruined.
Thankfully the Aussie police were onto it a stamped it out with the force that it deserved. Lock them up and throw away the key. I never want to see Lewis' face in the media again, his smarmy little I know better smirk can rot in prison for all I care.

Unhinged take mate.

Are you ok?

Not uinhunged at all, just hate in when an addiction is used as an excuse for criminality and a softer sentnece becuase he could help it.
End of the day, he's a grown man, and a some point he's made some xchoices in his life that have caught up with him. He was always a gambling addict was he? No, he made a choice to gamble, probably won and thought this is easy money and carried on and got hooked - greed motiovated that choice nothing else.

Now that greed has turned into an addiction and he's making dumb choices all over again - should that be an excuse for doing illegall stuff? Not all addicts are crooks, so why should thins one get off lightly.

His football career is likely over. That includes a good chance that he could have gone to a World Cup. He and his family have been very publicly shamed. He now works packing shelves.

The sentence needs to be tough enough that's it's seen as a major deterrent to this insidious blight on the game, happening from other players. But that's more an issue for Football Australia/FIFA than the legal system per se.

Has recently been some semi pro guys caught doing similar in the QLD NPL??

So yes it could be a lifetime playing & coaching ban? That's massive when you love the game of football, and it basically defines who you are.

exactly, the ban from football is up to the football authorities, the criminal charges are up to the judge to decide what punishment he gets. Two separate decisions.

theprof

exactly, the ban from football is up to the football authorities, the criminal charges are up to the judge to decide what punishment he gets. Two separate decisions.

Note the Crown prosecutors are not seeking a prison sentence for either Baccus or Lewis.

coochiee

theprof

exactly, the ban from football is up to the football authorities, the criminal charges are up to the judge to decide what punishment he gets. Two separate decisions.

Note the Crown prosecutors are not seeking a prison sentence for either Baccus or Lewis.

ridiculous.
obviously bought into the "poor us, we were forced into it by Davilla, he's so short and scary" story.

As much as the whole situation has pissed me off I feel for the family they’ve had to deal with this.

He would’ve had a decent shot of being in the 26 man WC squad. It’s a real shame his career was turning out quite nicely after he left the UK, he’s played against Ronaldo so they’ll be some cool stories to tell on smoko!

I hope this matter is dealt with right. I do think no more than a year in prison would be right punishment. Otherwise pro athletes will keep on doing things like this and milk it at the low risk they do get caught and make it to obvious for the public eye. It’s very common in the NRL.

coochiee

His football career is likely over. That includes a good chance that he could have gone to a World Cup. He and his family have been very publicly shamed. He now works packing shelves.

The sentence needs to be tough enough that's it's seen as a major deterrent to this insidious blight on the game, happening from other players. But that's more an issue for Football Australia/FIFA than the legal system per se.

Has recently been some semi pro guys caught doing similar in the QLD NPL??

So yes it could be a lifetime playing & coaching ban? That's massive when you love the game of football, and it basically defines who you are.

No sympathy for the idiot.

Definitely should get a criminal conviction- not jail time however.

In terms of the gambling addiction business, everyone has a story and a weakness, it’s just some use it to their advantage when they have wronged. 

Some of you here are heartless

it's not about having a heart or not, for me it's abot integrity and competing fairly.
And anyone who purposefully, kowingly screws with that deserves whatever gets thrown at them.
Who was Lewis thinking about when he took the money to get the yellow card? himself! Certainly not his family, not the fans, not his teammates - the three that were involved were acting completly out of self interest. Forget the addiction forgfet the "I was targetting and extorted" BS - no you werent, somone offered you an opportunity to score some easy cash and you thought you'd get away with it.
No integrity, no thought for anyone else, no consideration of consequences just pure selfish greed.

I'm sure there are people here who face daily challenges and see opportunities to score an easy win, but dont take it because it's morally wrong, why because they have interrgrity and pride in what they do and who they represent.
This is so much more than just a dude who gave someone a tip and took a cut of the winnings, he and his cohorts purposefully impacting the outcomes of live bets during a game, which could have impacted the outcome of those games.

Well he's still got Narelle.

Jessie Merino

Well he's still got Narelle.

lucky him, I'm sure she has questioned his integrity and honesty after all this.

I'm pretty pro locking criminals up but calling for 10 years for a one off, non violent offense, from someone with no other criminal history is pretty wild take.

Like legitimately wouldn't it be better for society if you sentenced him to 10 years of coaching school kids or something???

One loyal women. Can’t imagine many would hang around after something like this. 

Jessie Merino

Well he's still got Narelle.

More likely he'll become a celebrity spokesperson for Problem Gambling NZ same as ex alcoholics & ex junkies seem to find new careers in public repentence.

20 Legend

I'm pretty pro locking criminals up but calling for 10 years for a one off, non violent offense, from someone with no other criminal history is pretty wild take.

Like legitimately wouldn't it be better for society if you sentenced him to 10 years of coaching school kids or something???

I would not want him teaching in any capacity - again his integrety has been proven to be lacking

A bunch of you should have been on the david bain retrial jury! Haha. 

He will get no jail time. Maybe a fine. Maybe some home detention. 

He's lost a lot more than he gained already. And has been punished a lot more than some professional crooks ever get. 

Time to move on. 

So the Crown wants convictions but no jail time.
The defence wants a penalty without recorded convictions.

And whatever happens after the court likely he faces a lifetime football ban.

And yeah Davila is being pictured as the ringleader and will struggle to avoid some time behind bars.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360827641/former-all-white-clayton-lewis-targeted-and-exploited-league-spot-fixing-scheme-court-told

She submitted Lewis had already suffered significant punishment, having most likely lost any future ability to earn a living from football, revealing Football Australia had issued her client with a "show cause" notice seeking a lifetime ban from the sport.

Lewis' pleas for leniency from the court were supported by letters from representatives of New Zealand Football and the Wellington Phoenix, who spoke of the Kiwi star's work ethic, reliability and humility.

Baccus' lawyer also submitted that his client's involvement in the spot-fixing scheme, considered one of the biggest sports corruption scandals in Australia, was a one-off.

Wrench told the court that after the Sydney FC game in December 2023, Baccus was approached by Davila and asked to participate again. Baccus declined.

"It was voluntary cessation, he didn't want to be part of it."

The Crown was seeking a community correction order for both Lewis and Baccus, and asked the magistrate to consider "what message it would send to the football community" if convictions for the offending were not entered.

Needs a conviction.

My conspiracy theory: Interesting that Davila missed a penalty near full time in Auckland, skied it well over the top, always surprised me. Now I think hmmmm. And then Lewis follows him to the bulls. 

The remorse looks like crocodile tears. Hope there is no leniency by NZF

Friar Tuck

I agree with the prof, Clayton Lewis should spend 1 billion million years in prison and also Chris Killen should have his record wiped clean.

Purposefully getting a yellow card is clearly an extreme crime worthy of 3 years more prison time than you would get for strangulation or abducting a child under the age of 16.

Are you trying to be funny or insane??  A yellow card is not more extreme than stangulation or abducting a child under 16. I'm hoping you were attempting to be cynically funny. 

LG

Friar Tuck

I agree with the prof, Clayton Lewis should spend 1 billion million years in prison and also Chris Killen should have his record wiped clean.

Purposefully getting a yellow card is clearly an extreme crime worthy of 3 years more prison time than you would get for strangulation or abducting a child under the age of 16.

Are you trying to be funny or insane??  A yellow card is not more extreme than stangulation or abducting a child under 16. I'm hoping you were attempting to be cynically funny. 

Come on brother...

Did the "billion million years of jail time" really not give it away?

A jail sentence for this would be insane. He's rightly lost his career and the life that would have been ahead of him but there's no reason he needs to be excluded from society as a whole, that should (generally) only be done for the safety of the public.

There's also a lot of oversimplification in here of how addiction works. It isnt as simple as greed, its a disease that prevents you from thinking straight,  properly assessing risks and making good decisions. From the outside it may seem simple but the comments to that effect are incredibly naive to the reality of addiction harm.

It should be relatively easy for him to prove he was gambling beyond his means, assuming he isnt using it as a convenient excuse which is certainly a possibility.

Speculation on Claytons relationship is not really relevant. Some crazy takes on here.

He's lost his career, I think that's more than enough punishment personally. 

I claimed $400 for headphones as business expense. But the truth is, my wife using them. I did it because it was easy and I'm greedy. What should be my jail time for this?