In an attempt to “take ownership of his problem”, Rugby League and AFL star turned current Queensland Reds vice-captain Karmichael Hunt has today pleaded “guilty, your honour” to four counts of cocaine possession relating to four occasions during September and October last year when he bought 12.5 grams from a South East Queensland cocaine cartel.
As previously reported, Hunt was one of ten current and former footballers nabbed by the Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission as part of their on-going investigation into a trafficking syndicate allegedly led by former footballers John Touma and Matthew Seers. Today, the court heard Hunt had repeatedly messaged Houma enquiring after three eight-balls and two grams – each at $1100 a pop – that were dealt at several locations on the Gold Coast, including a Dominos. Delicious.
UPDATE: Hunt has been fined $2500 – he spent at least $4000 on coke – and escaped a criminal conviction in magistrate Catherine Pirie’s sentencing. Pirie cited Hunt’s lack of a criminal history and his evident remorse as factoring into her decision.
The Australian add that in the last day a deal has been struck with the prosecutors that means Hunt – 28 and a father of two going on three – will avoid an automatic four-year ban under the World Anti-Doping Authority’s guidelines.
Hunt’s barrister Alastair McDougall attributed his client’s actions to a “misguided post-season celebration that went on for approximately a month”, and that this has been “a massive, massive, wake-up call for him.”
The court has been temporarily adjourned and will resume later this afternoon for sentencing.
More to come.
UPDATE: Hunt has been fined $2500 – he spent at least $4000 on coke – and escaped a criminal conviction in magistrate Catherine Pirie’s sentencing. Pirie cited Hunt’s lack of a criminal history and his evident remorse as factoring into her decision.
Speaking outside the court after his sentencing, Hunt said [via The Brisbane Times] “It’s been a difficult couple of weeks for myself and my family. We’re just looking forward to putting this process behind us and moving on.”
Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images
