In a case that seemingly goes from bad to worse with each day that progresses, troubled and embattled former AFL star Ben Cousins has failed to appear in a Fremantle Magistrates Court to have charges heard stemming from a low-speed car chase with police.
Cousins’ lawyer Aiden Kraus told Magistrate Steven Malley that the 36 year old former Brownlow Medalist and premiership player was not present at the hearing due to his attendance at a medical appointment.
But Magistrate Malley asserted that if his legal counsel did not provide written proof of the appointment to the court by 4pm WA time, an arrest warrant would be issued for Cousins. Kraus insisted he had a phone photo of the appointment confirmation, but this was deemed to be insufficient, and the court demanded a hard copy as evidence.
At the time of writing, lawyers for Cousins had yet to deliver any hard copy appointment confirmation to the courts.
Cousins was due to appear today to have charges heard stemming from his March 11th arrest following a low-speed police chase through 8km between Bitcon and Mosman Park. At the time, Cousins had told police he could not stop for them due to a “family emergency.” Cousins was subsequently apprehended and charged with reckless driving, failing to stop, and failing to provide a breath sample.
This non-appearance is the latest in a string of troubling incidents for Cousins, who has an extremely well documented history with drug and alcohol abuse.
Since the March 11th arrest, Cousins has been out on bail, but has been apprehended two additional times and spent two stints in medical facilities for mental health treatment.
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Photo: Paul Kane via Getty Images.
