Karm Gilespie: Australian man sentenced to death in China for drug-smuggling is former TV actor
The family of a Victorian-born man sentenced to death in China for drug-smuggling operations has broken their silence over the former TV actor’s ordeal.
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The family of a Victorian-born man sentenced to death in China for drug-smuggling operations has broken their silence over the former TV actor’s ordeal.
In a statement, Karm Gilespie’s family said was “very saddened by the situation” and pleaded for privacy.
“We will not be making any public comment and ask that the media respects our privacy at this difficult time,” the statement – released to News Corp Australia today – said.
“We also request that friends and acquaintances of Karm refrain from speculating on his current circumstances, which we do not believe assists his case.”
The Australian man has been sentenced to death in China for drug-smuggling operations is a former TV and stage actor who had a recurring role on the Logie-winning series Blue Heelers.
Friends of Gilespie, who confirmed his identity to News Corp Australia, say they are shocked over the detention of the Victorian-born man, with one claiming he had been “set up” and that drugs had been planted in his luggage.
In a statement, Foreign Minister Marise Payne said Australia had offered consular assistance to Gilespie.
“Australia’s opposition to the death penalty is principled, consistent and well known. We regard it as undermining shared human dignity and inconsistent with principles of criminal justice that allow for rehabilitation,” the statement said.
“The irrevocability of it allows for no errors of fact or law to be corrected. It is no more effective as a deterrent against serious crime than lengthy imprisonment.
“We advocate consistently for the abolition of the death penalty worldwide, via every diplomatic avenue available to us.
“We will continue to provide Mr Gilespie with consular assistance. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”
Gilespie was detained in the Chinese city of Guangzhou in 2013 for smuggling 7.5 kilograms of methamphetamine his check-in luggage while attempting to board an international flight from Baiyun Airport, in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou.
Gilespie, 56, was sentenced to death in the Guangzhou Intermediate People’s Court on Saturday and has just 10 days to appeal the verdict.
Friends have expressed their shock over his sentencing, which is likely to further strain Australia-China relations.
“Knowing Karm and knowing the love he had for his children, this is not a man that deserves to lose his life,” a Bali-based friend named Roger James Hamilton said in a statement posted on Facebook.
Mr Hamilton claims his friend had been duped into carrying the drugs by investors, who asked had him to carry presents back to Australia on their behalf.
Another friend also took to Facebook to express his sadness and shock. “The Karm I met would never get knowingly involved in such a crime and does not deserve such a severe penalty for his trusting nature being taken advantage of,” Andy Greenhill wrote.
Tahnee Woolf, who told News Corp Australia she met Gilespie in 2008 through entrepreneur circles in Melbourne, described him as a “loving, kind, caring, joyful, uplifting person”.
“He was performing his own one-man show of Banjo Paterson poems back when I knew him,” Ms Woolf told News Corp.
“He was learning lots about entrepreneurialism and I think he was interested in property stuff. And he was just always trying to help people and coach them and mentor them. He is the kind of person who is always smiling, with a twinkle in his eye.
“I feel terrible to hear that he has been in a prison for the last seven years. I cannot imagine what his family is going through.”
Another close friend of his said his imprisonment is “inhumane” and she wants him to be brought safely home to Australia.
Jill Parris, Gillespie’s close friend of more than three decades, said it was hard to believe he was facing the death penalty in China.
“I am extremely shocked,” Ms Parris said.
“He was a straightforward person, very honest – to a fault.
“Not only has this loveable person been imprisoned, he has been given the death penalty without legal representation or any justice given on his behalf.
“This is inhumane. Bring my friend home. He belongs home.”
Ms Parris said she last spoke to Karm in December 2013 before he completely dropped off the radar.
Posting to social media she said Gillespie was “over the moon in love with a new woman” at that time and was looking forward to a trip to Thailand with the new love interest.
She has not heard from him since.
“It was very out of character for Karm to not contact me, or call or write, we were always in contact,” she said.
“When he didn’t return the phone call or check in, I became extremely alarmed.”
Ms Parris said she “doesn’t believe” the allegations he is facing and it has come as a shock to her and her family learning the news from the internet.
“I haven’t slept,” she told the Today show.
“I am extremely shocked. I just want my friend to be safe and home in Australia.”
Trade Minister Simon Birmingham said Gilespie’s sentencing “shouldn’t necessarily” be seen as an escalation of tensions between the nations, but should serve as a warning for Australians overseas.
He said the Australian Government was against the death sentence and would do as much as they could to help the man.
“This is a reminder to all Australians, as is often the case when these sorts of consular cases come up, that Australian laws don’t apply overseas,” Senator Birmingham said.
“Other countries have much harsher penalties, particularly in relation to matters such as drug trafficking.
“But, obviously, this is very distressing for Gilespie and his loved ones, and our government will continue to provide consular assistance to him.
“We’ll continue to make representations, as we do right around the world, against the use of the death penalty.”
Senator Birmingham said the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade was providing Gilespie with consular support.
Premier Daniel Andrews said he “deplored and condemned” the death sentence and senior officials in DFAT would be working “extremely hard” to help Gilespie.
“We oppose, deplore and condemn the death penalty wherever it is applied. It’s not something that sits easily with any of us.
“It’s not our policy, it’s not the way we operate,” he said.
Mr Andrews said there had been examples of Australian citizens who had been given clemency or had their death penalty commuted to a life sentence.
The Premier stressed he did not want to interfere with the work of senior officials already addressing the issue.
“If there is anything we can do, then of course we will do it,” Mr Andrews said, adding he had not been approached by DFAT about Gilespie’s case.
Fresh details have emerged about the 56-year-old actor, public speaker and entrepreneur, who grew up in Bradvale in Victoria’s Western District.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Gilespie left school to embark on an apprenticeship as a “body maker”, building caravans in Ballarat and, as a passionate AFL fan, to follow his footy dream.
A car accident put paid to any dreams of sporting greatness and he began studying at Victoria College at Deakin University, graduating from its famed Rusden Theatre department with a Bachelor’s degree in Drama, Dance, English and Media.
A website set up by Gilespie details his acting career, describing how he moved to Sydney and appeared in stage productions and on TV, most notably in popular shows including The Man from Snowy River and Blue Heelers.
In Seven’s long-running Blue Heelers series, Gilespie played a recurring guest role as a pyromaniac and appeared in scenes with Gold Logie winner John Wood, his website states.
He also worked as a puppeteer across film and TV and he appeared in a stage adaptation of The Hobbit where he performed the role of Smaug the Dragon.
In the early 2000s, Gilespie turned his hand to property and finance, stating on his website that he wanted to help other people “make a difference” around their own money, property and wealth.
He also presented a course titled “Your Financial Diamond” in Australia, New Zealand and Asia.
His website said he was available for “guest speaking, consulting and mentoring”.
Gilespie’s LinkedIn profile said he was the founder of the Act You Life business, which he described as “high performance coaching and consulting” for people wanting to improve their marketing and presentation skills.
Gilsepie also stated that he was the Australian director of Ample Wealth, described as a “private investor hub network” as well as Property Players Group, a group made up of investors.
According to LinkedIn, the Victorian man also spent two years as the director of Integra Building Systems in the NSW Hunter Valley, a firm that manufactures “eco friendly energy efficient wall panel systems that allows builders to construct homes at lower cost”.
Originally published as Karm Gilespie: Australian man sentenced to death in China for drug-smuggling is former TV actor