Taylor admits to coke charges

DAVE Taylor was once celebrated as a marquee signing to change the fortunes of the Gold Coast Titans. A big man on big money. Yesterday, the former Queensland State of Origin rugby league star pleaded guilty to two counts of cocaine possession.

He fronted the Southport District Court via video link from London where he was preparing for this morning’s Super League clash between Catalans and St Helens.

Taylor’s lawyer Campbell MacCallum, of Moloney MacCallum Lawyers, said the legal proceedings had taken a toll on Taylor, who is living away from his family in France.

He has been with the Dragons since late last year following his public fall from grace alongside Joe Vickery and Jamie Dowling, who also pleaded guilty to drug-related charges yesterday.

“He has obviously had some stressful times with the distance between he and his family,” said Mr MacCallum of Taylor. “The matter has also been dragged by the prosecution for more than 18 months.”

Taylor is apologetic, clean and “going well”, Mr MacCallum said.

“He has completed rehab (and) providing clean drug tests weekly.”

Vickery yesterday pleaded guilty to six counts of possession, while Dowling entered a plea of guilty to nine drugrelated charges.

All three players were charged with supplying cocaine in 2014.

The charges were later downgraded to possession for Taylor and Vickery but Dowling still faces two counts of supply and seven of possession.

“They each individually take responsibility for their actions. It was a momentary act of stupidity and they now want to move on with their lives,” Mr MacCallum said, confirming the cocaine scandal that rocked the NRL was isolated to a group of players.

Vickery and Dowling will be sentenced in September, while Taylor will be sentenced when the Super League season has ended in November.

Karmichael Hunt and former Queensland Origin great Jason Smith have already been sentenced after admitting to using cocaine, while several other Titans players had charges dropped last year.