Former footballer Steven Michaels sentenced after supplying $3000 in cocaine

A FORMER professional footballer has been sentenced after supplying thousands of dollars worth of cocaine to his friends.

Former Gold Coast Titan Stephen Michaels arrives at Southport Court. Picture Glenn Hampson

FORMER professional footballer Steven Michaels was sentenced to 200-hours community service yesterday for supplying more than $3000 in cocaine to friends.

Judge David Kent spent a majority of his 20-minute sentencing orders speaking about the “serious criminal conduct” and impact of drugs on the community.

“I attended the funeral of a young girl this morning who had a drug problem,” he said.

“I hope you realise the seriousness of this and the seriousness of the situation.”

Michaels, now a plumbing apprentice, was a “middle man” in the cocaine ring headed by former Roosters’ rugby league player John Touma between August and October 2014.

“In that intensive short period $3500 went through you hands,” Judge Kent said.

On one occasion Michaels arranged for cocaine to be delivered to football code-hopper Karmichael Hunt, the court was told.

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The former Gold Coast Titan arrives at Southport Court. Picture Glenn Hampson

Michaels played more than 100 NRL games for the Brisbane Broncos and Gold Coast Titans before leaving for the UK.

“You have disappointed a lot of people with these actions,” Judge Kent said.

Michaels pleaded guilty in the Southport District Court to five counts of possessing dangerous drugs and three counts of supplying dangerous drugs.

Judge Kent said the community service would allow for Michaels to continue his rehabilitation, which included a number of drug programs while he was playing for Hull in England.

He said the sentence was also in line with that of fellow player Jamie Dowling who was caught up in the same cocaine syndicate.

Crown prosecutor Gary Churchill said Michaels was caught as a part of Operation Quaker which was investigating the cocaine trade in southeast Queensland.

Mr Churchill said Michaels arranged for about 11.5 grams of cocaine to be supplied to friends and another 11.5g for his own use between August and October 2014.

“The Crown accepts there is no commercial element to any of this offending. He was a middle man passing on to friends,” he said.

Multiple players were allegedly caught up in the same cocaine syndicate. Picture: iStock

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Michaels’ barrister Jeffrey Hunter said since the conviction Michaels’ wage had dropped from more than $100,000 to about $45,000.

“He really has just come out of his football career and gone back to square one doing an apprenticeship,” he said.

Mr Hunter said at the time of the offending Michaels was playing second grade after the death of his father.

“He really was not particularly well.”

Mr Hunter said Michaels left the Gold Coast at the end of 2014 to play football in England for three years.

He was arrested when he returned to Queensland in November 2017.

No conviction was recorded.