Michael Katsidis please guilty to drug trafficking

[wrighty]

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-02-08/ ... /103442968



Michael Katsidis, Olympic boxer and former interim world champion, pleads guilty to drug trafficking
By Laura Lavelle

The court heard Michael Katsidis is determined to get his life back on track. (Supplied: AAP)
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In short: A former Olympian has pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and left jail after 22 months
Michael Katsidis achieved global fame in 2007 when he was declared champion of the world in lightweight professional boxing
What's next: Katsidis had his sentence suspended on condition he not commit another offence within the next five years
Olympic lightweight professional boxer Michael Katsidis is to be released from jail after pleading guilty to drug trafficking offences.

Katsidis, 43, fought for Australia at the 2000 Olympics and won the WBO interim lightweight championship in 2007.

He was on parole after being sentenced for other drug offences in 2021 when he became involved in a "sophisticated" cocaine syndicate.

The court heard Katsidis was in charge of the monitoring and distribution of cash and drugs between the syndicate and had the code to a safe where the drugs and cash were stored.

Katsidis would also source cocaine from outside the syndicate and supplied throughout the trafficking period.

In 2022, police raided a safe house at the Gold Coast, where Katsidis was known to be living at a few nights a week. Inside a safe in the house, police found more than 8 grams of cocaine and $42,850 in cash.

"Drugs destroy lives. Not only of those of the people who use them, but also the people that they surround," Justice Catherine Muir said in sentencing.

"By your actions, you fed into the scourge of drugs in society, a society in which your four children are going to grow up in."

'He bitterly regrets his conduct'
Katsidis's barrister Wayne Tolton told the court his client's life spiralled out of control when his brother, Stathi Katsidis, who was renowned as one of Australia's greatest jockeys, died in 2010.

"You have had, it seems, a drug addiction since 2010 when your brother passed away," Justice Muir said.

"You are a man that has experienced the highs and lows of life. You were an Olympian boxer who represented your country and you have been the champion of the world in boxing.

"Against that, you have also experienced the lows of now a lengthy period of imprisonment."

Mr Tolton said his client was determined to get his life back on track and had lined up a job at a gym.

"He's had 22 months almost to reflect upon the stupidity of his actions. He bitterly regrets his conduct. He's embarrassed, ashamed, but more importantly, determined to turn his life around," Mr Tolton said.

"[He plans to get] back to his grassroots as an amateur and professional coach, working in a gymnasium and having a positive effect on the youth that go to that gym."

Mr Tolton also told the court Katsidis never made any money from the drug syndicate and only ever received drugs as a form of payment.

"He wasn't involved in the creation of that entity, it was already well established," Mr Tolton said.

"He wasn't an employee as some of the other people were. At all times, he was drug-addicted and drug-affected."

'You will be an easy target'
Justice Muir sentenced Katsidis to four years and six months in prison, but having already served more than 660 days in custody he was handed a suspended sentence and granted release from prison.

As a condition of his release, Katsidis cannot commit another offence within the next five years.

"You have the balance of a considerable period of over two-and-a-half years [in jail] hanging over your head. If you step out of line and commit an offence punishable by imprison, you can expect to be back in custody," Justice Muir said.

"Because of your sporting achievements and because of the fact you have gone to prison, you will be an easy target so it will be hard to stay away from negative influences."

Posted 8 Feb 20248 Feb 2024, updated 8 Feb 20248 Feb 2024
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[wrighty]

Interestingly a former opponent Graham Earl got caught up in that caper a few years back

[CaptainSpacerod]

Interestingly a former opponent Graham Earl got caught up in that caper a few years back

Some fight that was

[margaret thatcher]

dont tell redback rasta / bogan whisperer about this, an aussie with drugs will break his heart

[Dioufy]

One of my fave fighters tbh. Not skilled but tough AF and you gotta love fighters that throw 150 punches in round 1.

[Les Norton]

One of my fave fighters tbh. Not skilled but tough AF and you gotta love fighters that throw 150 punches in round 1.

All true, shame he took this path though. Flogging off drugs to others makes you a shit bloke in Australia. He was a great entertainer, but turned into a drug industry germ.
Belongs in jail

[coneye]

'He bitterly regrets his conduct'
Katsidis's barrister Wayne Tolton told the court his client's life spiralled out of control when his brother, Stathi Katsidis, who was renowned as one of Australia's greatest jockeys, died in 2010.

Yes well he spiraled out of control years ago has well , when he beat the shit out of a drunk for pissing on or near the wheel of his car in a carpark , his brothers death was the excuse then has well ,, was also the excuse when he got busted for drugs in 2016 , also the excuse when he got charged with burguraly Lock him up

[Dioufy]

One of my fave fighters tbh. Not skilled but tough AF and you gotta love fighters that throw 150 punches in round 1.

All true, shame he took this path though. Flogging off drugs to others makes you a shit bloke in Australia. He was a great entertainer, but turned into a drug industry germ.
Belongs in jail

Cannot disagree.

[Coco]

We are all adults, you know the risks, do the crime etc you can end up doing the time

[NazNaci1]

A shame but how many times have we said that.

Was a great, entertaining fighter (how many times have we said that, too?) but as we all know, drugs destroy people and lives, both directly and indirectly.

[Boxerbeetle]

Cocaine should be legal anyway.

[SeanBrennan]

Interestingly a former opponent Graham Earl got caught up in that caper a few years back

was going to post that too mate https://www.lutontoday.co.uk/news/crime ... es-2228978

[SeanBrennan]

We are all adults, you know the risks, do the crime etc you can end up doing the time

fair point

[SeanBrennan]

Cocaine should be legal anyway.

A topic too big for this thread perhaps. Having lost family members to it, I'd argue to the contrary.

[wrighty]

Cocaine should be legal anyway.

A topic too big for this thread perhaps. Having lost family members to it, I'd argue to the contrary.

It's bad stuff and the sad thing is it's fornicating everywhere now. It's so common

Sorry for your losses mate

[SeanBrennan]

Cocaine should be legal anyway.

A topic too big for this thread perhaps. Having lost family members to it, I'd argue to the contrary.

It's bad stuff and the sad thing is it's fornicating everywhere now. It's so common

Sorry for your losses mate

cheers mate. Nothing major, typical of my family, but thank you. I could wash white before I was 9, most useless skill ever.