Relief for Hunt as drug case concludes with no conviction
CODE-HOPPING footballer Karmichael Hunt has avoided a conviction for possessing cocaine but his future remains unclear after his latest court matter was brought to an end.
Prosecutors yesterday told Brisbane Magistrates Court there was insufficient evidence to prosecute the 31-year-old Wallabies player over allegations he was caught with cocaine in Fortitude Valley on December 30.
Following the withdrawal of that charge, Hunt pleaded guilty to possessing alprazolam – a Xanax tablet – and for failing to attend a police station when required a week later.
He was fined $600 but no conviction was recorded.
During the brief hearing, Hunt’s lawyer Adam Magill said a conviction would “stifle” Hunt’s ability to travel overseas to play sport.
Magistrate Barry Cosgrove agreed and warned Hunt he had to be beyond reproach. “You are a person in the public eye,” he said.
Mr Magill said Hunt had been unintentionally carrying the Xanax in the right pocket of his shorts when he was out.
Hunt had the prescription medication pill to help deal with stress and anxiety, the court heard.
In explaining why his client had failed to return to the Fortitude Valley police station to provide fingerprints within a week of the charges, Mr Magill said he had gone into a self-imposed lockdown and “it simply slipped his memory”. But when Mr Magill was contacted by police he phoned Hunt, who went to police immediately, the court heard.
Outside court, Mr Magill said it had been a stressful period for Hunt and his family.
When asked about Hunt’s sporting future, just four days before the start of the Super Rugby season, Mr Magill said it was still unknown.