Fighter’s rap over knuckles
A MIXED martial arts athlete who was caught with seven prohibited weapons, including imitation knuckledusters, walked from court without a conviction yesterday.
Geelong Magistrates’ Court heard Jason Petropoulus, 24, pictured, who pleaded guilty, had been fearful a conviction could put an end to his sponsored MMA career.
Prosecutor Leading Senior Constable Siobhan Daly told the court police seized seven weapons, including a sheaf knife, a sword and prescription drugs, including a three full and three empty phials of antibiotics, when a search was done at a Leopold property.
Sen-Constable Daly said Petropoulus made full admissions to owning the weapons and said he had bought them to start a collection.
His lawyer said her client had no prior criminal history, had entered a plea of guilty at the earliest possible chance and had made full admissions to police.
The court heard Petropoulus was in the midst of obtaining a security licence and was worried a conviction would threaten his chance of it being granted as well as potentially costing him MMA sponsorship.
“He made an error of judgment, he admits that,” his lawyer said.
Magistrate Peter Mellas said Petropoulus was “24 not 12” and should be aware he could not possess prohibited weapons unless he had a permit.
“You’re in your mid-20s. It is really a concern that you think it’s OK to access this type of weapon,” Mr Mellas said.
In sentencing, he said he was satisfied Petropoulus had no intention to use the weapons to harm anyone, but was concerned he thought it “was OK to have steroids”.
He was handed an adjourned undertaking, without conviction, and ordered to pay $750 to the court fund within six months. An application to destroy the weapons and drugs was approved.