Ex-Australia Star, Who Played 44 Tests, Punished For Involvement In Drug Deal

Former Australia cricket crew spinner Stuart MacGill on Friday averted going to jail after being discovered responsible of involvement in a cocaine deal. For the offence, he was given a 22-month intensive corrections order and 495 hours of group service. The 54-year-old was discovered responsible two months in the past however the listening to of his sentence was adjourned. While he was discovered responsible of involvement in a cocaine deal again in May, the ex-Australia star was cleared of collaborating in large-scale drug provide. A (*44*) District Court jury had acquitted the previous leg-spinner of facilitating a one-kg cocaine deal price AUD 330,000 in April 2021. However, he was convicted of the cost of participating in drug provide.

The court docket heard that MacGill launched his common drug vendor to his brother-in-law, Marino Sotiropoulos, at a gathering underneath his restaurant on Sydney’s north shore.

While he denied information of the transaction, prosecutors argued the deal couldn’t have taken place with out his involvement.

MacGill was concerned in an incident final yr the place he was allegedly kidnapped. However, the alleged kidnappers — two brothers — have claimed that Macgill got here to them willingly and was concerned within the drug commerce. As per Fox Sports, the brothers named Richard and Fredrick Schaaf alleged in court docket that MacGill had gone to the deserted southwestern (*44*) property willingly.

The police had beforehand stated that MacGill was purely a sufferer and was not concerned in any legal exercise.

MacGill appeared at Downing Centre District Court on Friday the place the sentence of his punishment was introduced. As per ESPNcricinfo, former Test captain of Australia, Steve Waugh, wrote a letter to the court docket in assist of his former teammate.

“I believe that Stuart has the background of knowledge accumulated in his life and playing days to appreciate all the options for the future and the hard work and steps required in this process,” the letter stated.

(With PTI Inputs)