Personal trainer, boxer Russell Witheridge in Noosa court for drug possession

A fitness coach who previously owned a fight centre on the Sunshine Coast was busted with cocaine in his wallet after previously being convicted of trafficking.

A Doonan personal trainer and Muay Thai boxing champion was found with white powder in his wallet that was later identified as cocaine.

Russell Phillip Witheridge, 34, had previously been convicted of trafficking back in 2013 and pleaded guilty to the latest possession charge in Noosa Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

The court heard he had 4.2g of white powder that contained 1.5g of pure cocaine.

Convicted drug trafficker Russell Phillip Witheridge pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine.

Magistrate Matthew McLaughlin said Witheridge must have a “dodgy dealer” but that the lesser purity of the powder had worked in his favour.

Solicitor Chelsea Emery said her client had worked in the fitness industry and was the Muay Thai boxing titleholder for Queensland.

She said Witheridge had suffered multiple injuries including a back injury and had undergone surgery on both knees.

Convicted drug trafficker Russell Phillip Witheridge pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine.

“He used cocaine for the chronic pain and as a stress relief,” Ms Emery said.

“He has a close and loving relationship with his daughter and is concerned about how today’s proceedings will affect his family.”

According to Witheridge’s social media, he also ran a fight centre by the name of Hustle Fight Centre that had to close in 2021 due to his health complications.

Convicted drug trafficker Russell Phillip Witheridge pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine.

Magistrate McLaughlin sentenced Witheridge to six months’ prison suspended for two years.

Convictions were recorded.