Mark Judge avoids a prison term

MARK Judge, found with soapie starlet Jodi Gordon cowering in fear of imaginary gunmen, has broken his silence, saying he was not drug-affected that night.

A MAN found with soapie starlet Jodi Gordon cowering in fear of imaginary gunmen yesterday broke his silence, saying he was not drug-affected that night.

One-time bikie associate Mark Judge said he "categorically denied being under the influence of drugs while in the company of Ms Gordon" in June 2009.

Judge was yesterday spared a full-time jail term for a violent assault committed almost six years ago, a court instead imposing one of the state's first ever intensive corrections orders.

Shortly after the decision, Judge's barrister Michael Tanevski said his client wished to set the record straight.

"Mr Judge has been drug-free for over two years now and that has been verified by independent tests accepted by the courts in the sentence," he said.

The District Court earlier heard Judge had admitted to having a lengthy history of amphetamine and steroid use and was "addled with drugs" in April 2005 when he lent a man he barely knew $70,000.

When furniture store owner Steven Weir failed to repay the money a year later, Judge admitted dishing out some "rough justice".

Judge admitted using a brick to smash Mr Weir's little finger, before bashing him repeatedly and telling him he wanted $25,000 within days.

"Don't forget, we know where you live," the court heard Judge had said.

The now 31-year-old pleaded guilty to malicious wounding Mr Weir six years ago.

Under the order, Corrective Services will decide if Judge will have a curfew or wear an ankle bracelet and determine how often he must submit to drug and alcohol testing.