Spotted this in the local today- very sad

[Jeff Thomas]

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchesterevening ... ang-charge


IN COURT: Michael Brodie
A former boxing champion worked as a drugs courier in an attempt to bring cocaine worth thousands of pounds into Manchester, a court heard.

Michael Brodie, 38, of Kirkwood Drive, Collyhurst, was at the wheel of his Vauxhall Astra estate when police acting on intelligence carried out a motorway swoop – and found a package of the drug worth £138,000 under the passenger seat.

The former British and European champ was arrested and accused with conspiracy to supply cocaine when he appeared for the first day of an eight-week trial at Preston Crown Court.

Mr Brodie, who is pleading not guilty, was spotted by surveillance officers in the car park of a Tesco in Blackpool along with passenger Paul Gairns, who has already pleaded guilty to the same charge.

Undercover officers saw Gairns take delivery of a package before the pair left the scene. They were pulled over on the M61 close to Chorley where 1kg of the drug was found.

When questioned Mr Brodie, who switched to driving taxis after he retired in 2009, refused to comment other than to say that he was a taxi driver who had taken a fare to Blackpool.

But prosecution lawyer Mark Monaghan, told a jury to reject this claim – pointing to dozens of calls from Mr Brodie to Gairns and his brother Gary, who has also pleaded guilty, that he claimed proved the former featherweight and super-bantamweight’s involvement.

Mr Monaghan said: "The timing and frequency of the telephone calls including Mr Brodie make it clear he was not simply a taxi driver booked on the day for a trip to Blackpool.

"He may have only been the driver but it is very clear he was in on it. It would be an affront to common sense to say he was not involved. This was a trip to Blackpool to pick up a large consignment of drugs."

Seven others are standing trial charged with the same offence. The case revolves around an alleged Blackpool-based operation. A total of seven others have already pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine.





I know a couple of the people allegedly involved in this and whilst I don't condone drug dealing I understand that people do crazy things to get by. But with Brodie I dont get it- he was a phenomenal fighter- brilliantly schooled who has so much knowledge to pass on.

Why do people go down this route?

[dondada]

Money, Jazzy, money.

Sad. And it seems like he's just confirming a longer sentence for himself by pleading not guilty...well, the way it's written, anyway.

[Jeff Thomas]

Money, Jazzy, money.

Sad. And it seems like he's just confirming a longer sentence for himself by pleading not guilty...well, the way it's written, anyway.

Remember training with him years ago once when I was about 14 and then again when I was about 26-27. Real introvert but still with so much knowledge and a tremendous boxer.

Boxing could do with a body to help retiring boxers make good choices.

[winkveron]

I've got absolutely zero sympathy for anyone who wants to contribute to the destruction of the lives of others through drug dealing. Certain people in certain environments have no choice so I pity them, but someone like Brodie who had a talent? He could've been a coach or a fitness instructor, many of honest livings. But the fast buck always brings people down.

Just because he was a boxer doesn't mean he should get a pass.

[forcefraser]

Nobody is saying he should get a pass, just that it`s a real shame that a talent like his goes to waste.

[winkveron]

Nobody is saying he should get a pass, just that it`s a real shame that a talent like his goes to waste.

I agree that it's a shame. Like I said, or tried to say, it's even sadder when someone WITH a talent goes to waste like that. It's not like people in his shoes have no other choice. That's what is frustrating.

[dondada]

Boxing could do with a body to help retiring boxers make good choices.

You're right mate. Given that EVERYONE agrees with this, it might be time for it to be re-visited.

It's British boxing's shame that the sport can't come together to arrange what everyone knows it needs.

[winkveron]

Boxing could do with a body to help retiring boxers make good choices.

You're right mate. Given that EVERYONE agrees with this, it might be time for it to be re-visited.

It's British boxing's shame that the sport can't come together to arrange what everyone knows it needs.

Definitely! Sports are too happy to discard the ex-stars as soon as they are not fashionable/making money any more. It's a shame.

[Wales]

It wouldnt stop it happening "brodie was a courier" - whos to say michael wasnt doing the bash smash and make some cash part too.

Nothing will stop the influx of cocaine - only thing I dont understand is why he's going to London not Liverpool or Manchester!

[bripez]

Boxing could do with a body to help retiring boxers make good choices.

You're right mate. Given that EVERYONE agrees with this, it might be time for it to be re-visited.

It's British boxing's shame that the sport can't come together to arrange what everyone knows it needs.

I am sure that everyone agrees, but the problem is that nobody wants to pay for it.

[Bronxbull666]

I hope Brodie and every other drug dealer fries in prison for a long time. No sympathy, no excuse.

I'd like to think there'd be some kind of YTS scheme for young boxers who are properly competing and affiliated to a good club, with college courses etc... but who'd foot the bill? The clubs struggle as it is for funding. Good thing these days is that kids get to stay on at school until 18 and get to do A levels.

As for retired fighters; what more could anyone do for them after supporting them in their careers? The fundemental principle of having a plan B is severely lacking in society as a whole. There just isn't the money in boxing to achieve the nurturing of retired fighters. People need to stand up and be counted and stop filling our society with filth and atrocity. Britain is a joke, sick of the cries for help from people who know right from wrong. We only have ourselves to rely on, good if you can help those around you, but life isn't a charity and boxing owes nobody a living. Get a f***ing job.

[jessi]

People seem to always say boxing is good for kids "it keeps them of the streets" but the ones who proceed to a higher level and stay in it for longer don't know what to do once retired.
If your uneducated and in your late 30's the demand for better than average money is massive.
I still believe anyone involved in the drug trade is stupid, but these things seem to happen regularly with ex boxers who didn't make enough money !

[Srebmun]

I hope Brodie and every other drug dealer fries in prison for a long time. No sympathy, no excuse.

Do you include pubs, offies, sweet shops who seel tobacco, supermarkets with cheap booze in your post? remember, they too sell destructive addictive drugs which cause far more carnage in our society.

[dondada]

I hope Brodie and every other drug dealer fries in prison for a long time. No sympathy, no excuse.

I'd like to think there'd be some kind of YTS scheme for young boxers who are properly competing and affiliated to a good club, with college courses etc... but who'd foot the bill? The clubs struggle as it is for funding. Good thing these days is that kids get to stay on at school until 18 and get to do A levels.

As for retired fighters; what more could anyone do for them after supporting them in their careers? The fundemental principle of having a plan B is severely lacking in society as a whole. There just isn't the money in boxing to achieve the nurturing of retired fighters. People need to stand up and be counted and stop filling our society with filth and atrocity. Britain is a joke, sick of the cries for help from people who know right from wrong. We only have ourselves to rely on, good if you can help those around you, but life isn't a charity and boxing owes nobody a living. Get a f***ing job.

Unfortunately, for many people, life literally is a charity. We've all got stories about people we 'know' so I won't bother. But some people don't work, have no intention of working and working taxpayers act as their funding source. And we aren't thanked for it, or liked for it.

If the reason is that there are no jobs (and in many areas, there aren't enough, of course) then jobs must be created for them, even if it's community work. We can all point to areas in our local community that need looking after. If the long-term unemployed don't want to give something back to society, fine - but you're getting f**k all.

Decent benefits for those who need them, I say.

Funded by the tax avoidance of the rich, such as 'hero' footballers paying themselves through companies.

Off topic I know, but, had to get it off my chest

[Bronxbull666]

I hope Brodie and every other drug dealer fries in prison for a long time. No sympathy, no excuse.

Do you include pubs, offies, sweet shops who seel tobacco, supermarkets with cheap booze in your post? remember, they too sell destructive addictive drugs which cause far more carnage in our society.

You're talking about heavily taxed and controlled products. The degenerative effect of alcohol and tobacco is much slower. Of course we have the trouble of alcohol making wide boys brave, addiction and the adverse effects of tobacco, lung cancer, heart disease etc... But how many kids are shot worldwide because of alcohol or tobacco? How many gang wars? How many mules die importing alcohol or tobacco by condoms bursting in their stomachs?

The carnage yo speak of is, of course a problem. But it is a problem that has been passed down over hundreds of years. The majority of alcohol and tobacco users do not effect our society in any way shape or form. As a smoker and drinker, if I have a health issue, I've paid for my treatment many times over.

Gang wars, gun crime, overdosing, the death of drug carriers who are poor and desperate people, the amount of money these dishonest scumbags make off the back of such a vile trade, the purity of the actual drug tampered with to gain more profit and the fact that a lot of drug users turn to crime to fund their habbits. The way druggies leave their dirty needles in parks and other public areas is a disgrace.

The degenerative effects of drugs are far worse, not as prominent as alcohol or tobacco, but pound for pound the crime and social impact associated with drugs is far greater.

[forcefraser]

I hope Brodie and every other drug dealer fries in prison for a long time. No sympathy, no excuse.

Do you include pubs, offies, sweet shops who seel tobacco, supermarkets with cheap booze in your post? remember, they too sell destructive addictive drugs which cause far more carnage in our society.

You're talking about heavily taxed and controlled products. The degenerative effect of alcohol and tobacco is much slower. Of course we have the trouble of alcohol making wide boys brave, addiction and the adverse effects of tobacco, lung cancer, heart disease etc... But how many kids are shot worldwide because of alcohol or tobacco? How many gang wars? How many mules die importing alcohol or tobacco by condoms bursting in their stomachs?

The carnage yo speak of is, of course a problem. But it is a problem that has been passed down over hundreds of years. The majority of alcohol and tobacco users do not effect our society in any way shape or form. As a smoker and drinker, if I have a health issue, I've paid for my treatment many times over.

Gang wars, gun crime, overdosing, the death of drug carriers who are poor and desperate people, the amount of money these dishonest scumbags make off the back of such a vile trade, the purity of the actual drug tampered with to gain more profit and the fact that a lot of drug users turn to crime to fund their habbits. The way druggies leave their dirty needles in parks and other public areas is a disgrace.

The degenerative effects of drugs are far worse, not as prominent as alcohol or tobacco, but pound for pound the crime and social impact associated with drugs is far greater.

I don`t agree with that. Alcohol is by far the most destructive drug ever introduced into society. It has ruined millions of lives over the years and costs the country a fortune to police and address the consequences of it.

[Bronxbull666]

I hope Brodie and every other drug dealer fries in prison for a long time. No sympathy, no excuse.

I'd like to think there'd be some kind of YTS scheme for young boxers who are properly competing and affiliated to a good club, with college courses etc... but who'd foot the bill? The clubs struggle as it is for funding. Good thing these days is that kids get to stay on at school until 18 and get to do A levels.

As for retired fighters; what more could anyone do for them after supporting them in their careers? The fundemental principle of having a plan B is severely lacking in society as a whole. There just isn't the money in boxing to achieve the nurturing of retired fighters. People need to stand up and be counted and stop filling our society with filth and atrocity. Britain is a joke, sick of the cries for help from people who know right from wrong. We only have ourselves to rely on, good if you can help those around you, but life isn't a charity and boxing owes nobody a living. Get a f***ing job.

Unfortunately, for many people, life literally is a charity. We've all got stories about people we 'know' so I won't bother. But some people don't work, have no intention of working and working taxpayers act as their funding source. And we aren't thanked for it, or liked for it.

If the reason is that there are no jobs (and in many areas, there aren't enough, of course) then jobs must be created for them, even if it's community work. We can all point to areas in our local community that need looking after. If the long-term unemployed don't want to give something back to society, fine - but you're getting f**k all.

Decent benefits for those who need them, I say.

Funded by the tax avoidance of the rich, such as 'hero' footballers paying themselves through companies.

Off topic I know, but, had to get it off my chest

Yet these poor people in these poor areas, just carry on breeding. Birth after birth of some poor child that will have no hope and nobody to rely on but themselves.

Who is going to do the job of differentiating between those who get good benefits and those who don't? Then what happens to those who don't get benefits? Crime?

If we were all honest enough and strong enough as a nation, we would eradicate the people who aren't willing to lift a finger.

[Bronxbull666]

I don`t agree with that. Alcohol is by far the most destructive drug ever introduced into society. It has ruined millions of lives over the years and costs the country a fortune to police and address the consequences of it.[/quote]
Pound for pound, the drugs trade is far more destructive. The deaths of those farming the drug, the deaths of those who courier the drug, the deaths of those dealing the drugs, the gangs who fight over territory, the addicts who commit crime to fund a habbit, prostitution and pimping etc...

Let's not forget, drugs fund terrorism! It is the Taliban's main source of income. People tend to just think about those they know when we talk about alcoholics. You need to see the bigger picture.

[dondada]

I hope Brodie and every other drug dealer fries in prison for a long time. No sympathy, no excuse.

I'd like to think there'd be some kind of YTS scheme for young boxers who are properly competing and affiliated to a good club, with college courses etc... but who'd foot the bill? The clubs struggle as it is for funding. Good thing these days is that kids get to stay on at school until 18 and get to do A levels.

As for retired fighters; what more could anyone do for them after supporting them in their careers? The fundemental principle of having a plan B is severely lacking in society as a whole. There just isn't the money in boxing to achieve the nurturing of retired fighters. People need to stand up and be counted and stop filling our society with filth and atrocity. Britain is a joke, sick of the cries for help from people who know right from wrong. We only have ourselves to rely on, good if you can help those around you, but life isn't a charity and boxing owes nobody a living. Get a f***ing job.

Unfortunately, for many people, life literally is a charity. We've all got stories about people we 'know' so I won't bother. But some people don't work, have no intention of working and working taxpayers act as their funding source. And we aren't thanked for it, or liked for it.

If the reason is that there are no jobs (and in many areas, there aren't enough, of course) then jobs must be created for them, even if it's community work. We can all point to areas in our local community that need looking after. If the long-term unemployed don't want to give something back to society, fine - but you're getting f**k all.

Decent benefits for those who need them, I say.

Funded by the tax avoidance of the rich, such as 'hero' footballers paying themselves through companies.

Off topic I know, but, had to get it off my chest

Yet these poor people in these poor areas, just carry on breeding. Birth after birth of some poor child that will have no hope and nobody to rely on but themselves.

Who is going to do the job of differentiating between those who get good benefits and those who don't? Then what happens to those who don't get benefits? Crime?

If we were all honest enough and strong enough as a nation, we would eradicate the people who aren't willing to lift a finger.

Somebody has to decide who gets benefits and who doesn't. They do now, for example. Able-bodied people, after they have been assisted by the state for a long period, should have to do some honest, dignified work - and it's for reasons far beyond getting a wage. It's to establish routine, give self-respect, and to set an example to the children you refer to, as well as understanding the simple concept that there is some link between getting out and putting in (a link that is completely absent at the other end of the scale, where getting out is totally disproportionate to putting in).

Well, if those who don't want to work in return for money turn to crime, there's little that can be done about that other than following the justice system. It's lack of opportunity and poverty of ambition that cripples people.

I do understand where you're coming from but your references to 'breeding' - as if having a family should be denied to those in poverty (whilst acknowledging that big families are, sadly, a luxury) and 'eradicating' are deeply distasteful and smacks of eugenics.

[Bronxbull666]

Ideology.

I see what you are all saying. But, ideology is the one thing we all have in common. Just so happens that our ideals are so different. Can't please everyone.

[winkveron]

BronxBull, spot on. The problem is, people don't see/care where the drugs come from. I study Latin America and the disastrous effects the drug trade has there is astonishing. And 90% of those drugs end up in the 'western' world. So while we shovel coke up our noses these people pay with their lives. Look at Mexico, it's virtually a civil war there.

Alcohol and tobacco may be damaging, but it's the illegality of the drug trade that causes the gang wars etc and for that reason it is more damaging. The illegality debate is another matter. For me, the law is the law and whether you like it or not it is there. If you choose not to follow the law then I have no sympathy for you.

[Bronxbull666]

BronxBull, spot on. The problem is, people don't see/care where the drugs come from. I study Latin America and the disastrous effects the drug trade has there is astonishing. And 90% of those drugs end up in the 'western' world. So while we shovel coke up our noses these people pay with their lives. Look at Mexico, it's virtually a civil war there.

Alcohol and tobacco may be damaging, but it's the illegality of the drug trade that causes the gang wars etc and for that reason it is more damaging. The illegality debate is another matter. For me, the law is the law and whether you like it or not it is there. If you choose not to follow the law then I have no sympathy for you.

[TJ77]

He does remain innocent untill proven guilty .
The law will punish him slagging a former boxer who trained and fought hard
entertaing boxing fans before he is even convicted is wrong IMO.

[bigt]

He does remain innocent untill proven guilty .
The law will punish him slagging a former boxer who trained and fought hard
entertaing boxing fans before he is even convicted is wrong IMO.

Well said particularly as he was found Not Guilty yesterday.

[Londonirish]

He does remain innocent untill proven guilty .
The law will punish him slagging a former boxer who trained and fought hard
entertaing boxing fans before he is even convicted is wrong IMO.

Well said particularly as he was found Not Guilty yesterday.

Did all Charges get dropped??