NSW:Chad Fletcher not convicted on coke charge

AAP General News (Australia)
12-15-2010
NSW:Chad Fletcher not convicted on coke charge

SYDNEY, Dec 15 AAP - Former AFL West Coast Eagles midfielder Chad Fletcher has escaped
conviction for possession of cocaine earlier this year.

The 31-year-old from Bellevue Hill in Sydney's east, had pleaded guilty to one charge
of possessing a prohibited drug.

Police alleged that during a patrol of toilets at Hugos nightclub in Sydney's Kings
Cross on August 21, Fletcher was found in possession of a plastic resealable bag containing
cocaine.

In Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday, Magistrate Julie Huber put Fletcher
on a nine-month good behaviour bond and ordered he pay court costs, but no conviction
was recorded.

She said Fletcher had tested negative to drug tests prior to the incident and had also
tested negative to tests taken since his last court appearance in October.

She took into account his good character and early guilty plea.

"(There is) no indication you have used illegal substances previously or that you have
a predisposition to drug and alcohol abuse," Ms Huber said.

On Wednesday his lawyer Chris Murphy tendered to court the results of Fletcher's recent
drug tests as well as a psychiatric report which indicated the former AFL player had an
extremely low chance of re-offending.

The court heard Fletcher has struggled to cope with life after playing AFL but was
now happy working at a bowling club.

Fletcher spent the 2010 season playing for Sydney's Balmain Dockers.

AAP bm/ad/maur/jlw

KEYWORD: FLETCHER (PIX TO COME)

� 2010 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.