Former Sydney Swans full-forward Tony Lockett and Swans captain Paul Kelly also signed jumpers believing they were for charity. The police prosecutor, Senior Constable Anthony Turner, said that in June 1998 Spittall went to a shop in inner-suburban Prahran and asked the owner if he wanted a Richmond AFL jumper and posters of football legend Jack Dyer. The owner said he would take them if there was a certificate of authenticity, which Spittall organised, saying Mr Dyer had signed them. Senior Constable Turner said Spittall later admitted that he had forged Mr Dyer's signature. He also had gained money from a woman on holiday in Queensland, telephoning her and telling her his father had died and that he needed money to pay for the funeral.
Police allege the father was alive and well.
The Western Bulldogs signed a jumper for him after he approached them for the children's charity. Spittall approached CanTeen in June 1997 and said he was interested in organising a fundraising auction with all proceeds going to CanTeen. Counsel for Spittall, Ms Janine Garner, said her client had no prior convictions, but was addicted to prescribed drugs and at times took 120 tablets a day. His need to keep up with the prescriptions led to the offences, she said, adding that his judgment had been considerably impaired. Spittall pleaded guilty to several offences including obtaining financial advantage by deception and theft.