Karmichael Hunt charged with supplying cocaine

[Herbasimplex]

Probably wasn't much more that they could do considering the plea to the lesser charge and the ARU's past conduct with other wayward players. Actually surprised that they did that.

[valzc]

And is he still going to be eligible to travel in other countries visa issues etc as far as being charged with a crime even though not convicted? And if he wasn't supplying and only in possession doesn't that mean personal use so why wasn't it picked up by various medicals, and if not picked up, he's obviously not disclosed drug usage when signing a contract, so doesn't that make the contract void?

[oxleymoron]

The Rebels groundsman has already been asked by the Reds to mark the field lines in a different colour for their Rd8 match in Melbourne

[Herbasimplex]

And is he still going to be eligible to travel in other countries visa issues etc as far as being charged with a crime even though not convicted? And if he wasn't supplying and only in possession doesn't that mean personal use so why wasn't it picked up by various medicals, and if not picked up, he's obviously not disclosed drug usage when signing a contract, so doesn't that make the contract void?

good question. dependant on where he goes I guess. not cut and dried but the fact he been charged with drug supply as opposed to a conviction would still be relevant. It may preclude him from the UK. not sure about europe.

I think his contract with the AFL had finished and he was out of competition so he probably wasn't being tested at the time. cocaine metabolites only stay in the system for a relatively short period of time. He would need to be tested within 2 days of using from memory to show up on a screen.

[Alison]

I understand the legalities etc, but it's still a piss weak response from the ARU in my opinion. What's $30K when your basic salary is $600K? What's a bit of gardening leave gonna do? Still leaves him free for the #RWC.

Sends totally the wrong message and is another nail in the coffin for the game I love.

[jargan83]

And is he still going to be eligible to travel in other countries visa issues etc as far as being charged with a crime even though not convicted? And if he wasn't supplying and only in possession doesn't that mean personal use so why wasn't it picked up by various medicals, and if not picked up, he's obviously not disclosed drug usage when signing a contract, so doesn't that make the contract void?

No conviction recorded so he should be fine to enter the UK.

[The InnFORCEr]

Relieved Hunt fined for cocaine possession

By Ed Jackson
March 5, 2015, 1:20 pm


The Queensland Reds and the Australian Rugby Union have suspended and fined Karmichael Hunt after he pleaded guilty to four counts of possessing cocaine in a Gold Coast court.

Hunt, who was fined $2500 in Southport Magistrates Court on Thursday, has been suspended for six weeks and fined $30,000 by rugby officials.

It means Hunt, who has already missed two matches for the Reds since being embroiled in the cocaine saga, will be eligible for selection in the Reds' round eight Super Rugby clash against the Rebels in Melbourne on April 3.

Hunt will also have to undergo a drug treatment and rehabilitation program as mandated by the Queensland Rugby Union (QRU) and Australian Rugby Union (ARU) as well as the Rugby Union Players' Association (RUPA).

The 28-year-old will also be placed on a monitored and targeted drug testing program.

The punishments come despite Hunt not being contracted with rugby union at the time of the four offences, committed in a period spanning September 1 to October 3 last year.

Hunt was exposed by a Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission investigation into a drug trafficking syndicate, which discovered he'd bought a total of 12.5g of cocaine from former professional rugby league player John Touma.

Hunt revealed his relief at the outcome outside court and in a statement released by the QRU admitted he had no-one to blame but himself.

"I made a terrible mistake last year and have no one but myself to blame for this situation," he said.

"I am genuinely sorry for the distress I have caused."

Hunt, who played in the Reds' season opener against the Brumbies in Canberra, has already missed matches against the Western Force and Highlanders due to his pending court appearance.

His ban will include this weekend's derby against the Waratahs, which Reds coach Richard Graham had already said he was unavailable for, as well as a bye in round six.

Hunt will have to train separately from the Reds until March 22 before returning to the first team fold from March 23 ahead of the clash with the Rebels.

ARU chief executive Bill Pulver and QRU chief executive Jim Carmichael both made note of their disappointment in Hunt's actions but acknowledged he had shown considerable remorse.

Magistrate Catherine Pirie said Hunt's remorse was evident through his decision to plead guilty at the first opportunity while a long list of references, including Brisbane Broncos NRL coach Wayne Bennett, had shown how out of character the behaviour had been.

She said those factors, and Hunt's clean criminal record, had played a part in her sentence, which also excluded recording a conviction.

"Your offences will become well-known and be a disappointment to your legion of fans. Hopefully you will send a message that it is possible to learn from mistakes," Magistrate Pirie told the court.

Barrister Alastair McDougall told the court his client had taken ownership of his problem, but would still face lifelong consequences.

"This was, in his own words, a misguided post-season celebration," Mr McDougall said.

"His two young daughters, with a third on the way, must grow up knowing their father has broken the law."

The same investigation which nabbed Hunt has also resulted in eight current or former Gold Coast Titans NRL players facing charges.

Two of those players, Beau Falloon and Jamie Dowling, also faced Southport Magistrates Court on Thursday.

Both Falloon, 27, and Dowling, 24, have both had their matters adjourned to May 8 along with Falloon's partner Elise Mary Abood, 22.

Several other footballers, including State of Origin stars Greg Bird and Dave Taylor, are expected to face court on Monday.

https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sp...ne-possession/

[GIGS20]

Seems pretty fair,

First offense as far as the ARU are concerned, he gets a mid-range fine from the courts, so it's obviously not some massive drug kingpin we're dealing with here.

Hopefully he can get on the footy field and start lighting the world on fire.

[jargan83]

Burn him at the stake I say....

[Cowboy]

Burn him at the stake I say....

You are bring far too nice about it if you ask me.

[Tonkar]

Sorry if I offend some people.... Hunt should have been stood down for 2 yrs from playing Pro sport. He brought it the coc and did not on sell it so where is it?? If he has not got it he used it.. Well to me that's being a user ( Wendall Sailor did the same thing ) so he should do the time.. The ARU ( as Allison said ) are just to soft on players bringing a bad name to the game. Agree with what Valzc said about non diclosure in the contract. If any employer can find a non discloser in a contract you on ya bike..

He lucky he was not here on the west as his career would have been over..

[jono]

And is he still going to be eligible to travel in other countries visa issues etc as far as being charged with a crime even though not convicted? And if he wasn't supplying and only in possession doesn't that mean personal use so why wasn't it picked up by various medicals, and if not picked up, he's obviously not disclosed drug usage when signing a contract, so doesn't that make the contract void?

No conviction means there is no record of this on his record. He can go wherever he wants

[valzc]

Quote from a B Davidson on GAGR -
"No. I've dealt with a number of clients over the years who have minor drug convictions and have been refused visas in the UK and USA. I've made submissions for people before, on much more minor charges than Hunts (with no convictions being recorded). unless things have changed in the last 5 years, I think its unlikely he'd get a visa in either country for at least the next 5 years (that's probably the length of his career)"

[Alison]

Wonder if the ARU provided or paid for his legal team.

[Tonkar]

Wonder if the ARU provided or paid for his legal team.

Thats why they fined him 30 big ones to get there money back