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Former Australia spinner Stuart MacGill avoided jail sentence despite being declared guilty of indulging in a cocaine deal. MacGill has often emerged as a controversial figure, Back in 2015, he sued Cricket Australia (CA) for a sum of Australian Dollar (AUD) 2.6 million for not making injury payments after his retirement. The matter was settled out of court after two years in 2017. Talking about the recent matter, he was found guilty a couple of months back but the hearing of his sentence was adjourned.
This month, the Australian was found guilty of involvement in a drug deal but he was cleared of participating in large-scale drug supply. A Sydney District Court jury had exonerated the former Australian bowler of easing a one-kg cocaine deal worth AUD 330,000 in April 2021. However, he was charged for taking part in drug supply. Judge Nicole Noman, who delivered the verdict, stated that MacGill played a vital role in forming the cocaine deal. "His role was essential to bring the parties together and for the transaction to occur," said the presiding judge.
Steve Waugh supports Stuart MacGill at court
On May 9, when Stuart MacGill entered Downing Centre District court, he received support from his former captain Steve Waugh. As per an ESPNcricinfo report, the 1999 World Cup-winning skipper wrote a letter to the court which read, "I believe that Stuart has the background of knowledge accumulated in his life and playing days to appreciate all the options for the future and the hard work and steps required in this process."
Judge Noman concluded the hearing by handing a 22-month intensive correction order and 495 hours of community service to MacGill. The leg-spinner served Australia in international cricket from 1998 to 2008 and during the period, he played 47 matches (44 Tests and three One-Day Internationals).
