Former A League football star Troy Hearfield sentenced to jail while facing Coffs Harbour court

The sad downfall of former A-League football star Troy Hearfield has reached a new low. Here’s what happened in court.

Troy Hearfield in action for the Central Coast Mariners.

Former football star Troy Hearfield once impressed as a representative for the nation and in the A-League pro competition, but now he’s cooling his heels in prison after a spate of crimes.

The 36-year-old, who enjoyed stints with the Newcastle Jets, Wellington Phoenix and Central Coast Mariners, was caught on CCTV wheeling a pram covered with a blanket at Bunnings Bennetts Green, near Newcastle on April 21.

Hearfield placed a Makita chainsaw and drill inside the empty pram. He paid for some items at the checkout, but not the power tools.

Troy Hearfield (left) in action for Coffs Coast club Boambee.

On July 25, Hearfield was again caught out on CCTV, this time taking a bottle of “Atomic enhancing pills” – worth $190 – from the shelf at Flirt adult store in Port Macquarie.

Hearfield also racked up a string of disqualified driving charges – on July 25 as he left the adult shop, on August 2 when he was caught on camera driving into the Settlers Inn Hotel car park at Port Macquarie and on September 21 at Sandy Beach.

The Coffs Harbour man ran into further strife when he was arrested at Woolgoolga Police Station in relation to outstanding warrants.

Officers found him in possession of a small bag containing 1.35 grams of methylamphetamine.

Hearfield’s lawyer Lachlan Jackson-Porter told Coffs Harbour Local Court on Wednesday his client had already been in custody for a number of weeks – the first time he has been behind bars.

Hearfield (right) celebrates an A League premiership with Newcastle Jets teammates at a private party.

“It’s quite a shake-up (for him),” Mr Jackson-Porter said.

He said Hearfield struggled with life since being cut loose by the Mariners eight years ago for off-field indiscretions.

Hearfield (right) at a Jets recovery session at Merewether Baths.

Mr Jackson-Porter said his client had a full-time job lined-up with Transport for NSW, a position where he would be tested regularly for any trace of prohibited drugs.

Hearfield – who represented Australia at Under 20 and 23 level, pleaded guilty to larceny valued at less than $2000, shoplifting, possessing a prohibited drug and three counts of driving a motor vehicle during a disqualification period.

Magistrate Theresa Hamilton said Hearfield had a persistent pattern of disregarding court orders and “his history for disqualified driving is not good at all”.

She imposed a 12-month jail term with a non-parole period of seven months.

Hearfield will be eligible for release on May 21 next year.