AFL coach and premiership participant Mark “Bomber” Thompson has been fined $three,000 for drug possession, however, has had a drug trafficking charge against him brushed off.
Key points:
The magistrate disregarded the trafficking fees but located the ownership costs to be confirmed
Thompson admitted to taking capsules but denied selling them
His prison team argued drugs discovered in a police raid on his home belonged to a convicted drug trafficker who had moved in with him
The soccer legend was going through more than one drug ownership and drug trafficking costs after methamphetamine and MDA had been allegedly found in his Port Melbourne home for the duration of a 2018 raid.
Today, Magistrate Duncan Reynolds brushed off the trafficking prices but observed the ownership fees validated.
Thompson remaining month admitted to the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court he became a “drug-taker” however denied being a provider.
Police allegedly located 33 grams of methamphetamine, 481 MDA drugs, an LSD tab, 4 smoking pipes and scales in his home.
The portions of MDA and methamphetamine are a couple of times the minimal quantity required to be charged with trafficking.
Thompson has also been positioned on a 12-month community corrections order, requiring him to go through drug assessment and remedy and intellectual fitness applications.
Thompson’s defense attorney, Mick Milardovic, advised the courtroom his patron had no earlier convictions for drug possession and had led a “very illustrious” career in soccer.
“Evidence that he gave become very poignant and very negative to his public profile,” Mr. Milardovic said.
“The media interest has been overwhelming.
“He made admissions to the usage of tablets, which may be very good sized. My submission is that is going a protracted way to suggesting remorse.”
The Justice of the Peace acknowledged the number of drugs seized was higher than the minimum for trafficking but stated police had no longer verified beyond a reasonable doubt that Thompson supposed to promote the drugs.
Police call for crook conviction
Thompson’s defense team formerly argued it made no sense for the previous footballer to visitors drugs given his public profile and wealth.
“I’m a drug taker,” Thompson had instructed the court.
“But I by no means had any purpose of selling drugs.”
Mr. Milardovic said his patron had embarked on new profession projects, including making fixtures from recycled substances and being worried in a clinical challenge in “hydrogen inhalers”.
He said his purchaser had the potential to pay an economic penalty, but the magistrate advised the amount of medication found in Thompson’s home supposed a community corrections order changed into additionally essential.
Police prosecutor Senior Constable Tom Roberts called for a crook conviction.
The magistrate agreed with the prosecution that the sheer quantity of drugs supposed a criminal conviction was appropriate.
‘I took capsules to mask the pain’
Thompson stepped in as senior teach of the Essendon Football Club after James Hird changed into suspended for one year over the drug supplements saga.
But Thompson said he was in a “horrific way” whilst he changed into dropped to make manner for Hird’s return.
Thompson invited convicted drug trafficker Thomas Windsor to transport into his home in December 2017, telling the court he turned into “satisfied to speak to a person”.
Thompson’s legal team argued the drugs had been owned by means of Windsor.
“It turned into a tough time,” Thompson advised the court remaining month.
“I took pills to masks the pain.”
Thomas Windsor had already pleaded guilty to trafficking methamphetamine, regarding 29.7 grams of the 33 grams seized.
Thompson informed the courtroom that before the police raid, Windsor had asked him to keep onto the MDA and methamphetamine.
The hearing is continuing.
