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Oliver Nosworthy, football player, volunteer coach escapes punishment over cocaine

A well-respected Port Macquarie football player and coach has learned his fate after he was found with cocaine in a Sydney casino. See the result here.

A Port Macquarie football player and volunteer coach has walked away from Port Macquarie local court a free man, after being caught in Sydney with a small amount of cocaine.

Around 1.40am on Sunday, March 6, 21-year-old Oliver Nosworthy visited Star Casino while on a football trip.

Upon entry, Nosworthy pulled his wallet out of his pocket to show his ID to security.

Staff later found a clear resealable bag, containing a small amount of white powder which they suspected to be cocaine, at the same entry point of the venue.

Security reviewed CCTV footage which showed Nosworthy dropping the bag when pulling out his wallet.

Police were alerted and attended the venue moments later to question the offender.

Nosworthy made a full confession to police, admitting he’d made a mistake before being charged with possession of a prohibited drug.

According to the agreed facts, Nosworthy said “I’m guilty, it’s mine” soon after being confronted by police at the casino.

Norsworthy told police he had purchased the cocaine to use that night, and that he had also used it earlier in the evening.

Police estimate the weight of the cocaine to be 0.01 grams.

Nosworthy’s lawyer Matthew Lindeman referred to his client’s strong community ties in Port Macquarie — including his involvement with local sport as both a player and volunteer coach, his status as a former student of St Joseph’s Regional College, and his position as a fully-qualified tiler.

“He was completely honest with police, and it’s fortunate he wasn’t driving that night,” Mr Lindeman said in his submission.

Star Casino
Star Casino

“The simplicity of the manner in which the drugs were located shows it was not a sophisticated operation.

“I’ve also been instructed by Nosworthy that he doesn’t use the drug here in Port Macquarie, it was just because he was on a football trip in Sydney.

“He’s embarrassed (by the offence).”

Mr Lindeman also referenced Nosworthy’s clean criminal record in his defence submission, labelling this incident as one of “foolishness” on his client’s part.

Magistrate Georgina Darcy determined that the man’s cooperative behaviour and the small amount of drugs he had in his possession did not warrant a punishment.

“While it is disappointing to see someone so highly regarded in the community using drugs, I do note your early guilty pleas, the very low quantity (of cocaine) and your clean record – which I imagine you will need to maintain for your work and volunteering,” Ms Darcy said.

“But I would expect better from someone who values their fitness.”

Magistrate Darcy handed down a Section 10(1)a, which finds Nosworthy guilty but dismisses the offence without a conviction.

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/mid-north-coast/oliver-nosworthy-football-player-volunteer-coach-escapes-punishment-over-cocaine/news-story/1316a5aa0ab2ae66a4cadd49b3bf0024