How milk baron Ken Lacey went from a millionaire to needing legal aid in just a few years
FORMER milk baron Ken Lacey sold a luxury beachfront mansion 10 years ago for nearly $17 million. Yesterday, he was in Southport District Court unable to pay for his own lawyer.
Crime and Court
Don't miss out on the headlines from Crime and Court. Followed categories will be added to My News.
FORMER milk baron Ken Lacey sold a luxury beachfront mansion 10 years ago for nearly $17 million.
Yesterday, he strolled into Southport District Court on the purse of the taxpayer, too broke to pay for his own lawyer.
The father of infamous figures Jade and Dionne Lacey is on a Centrelink benefit and receiving legal aid as the justice system dallies over whether to send him to jail for drug offences he pleaded guilty to six months ago.
Lacey is likely to receive a custodial sentence for supplying a dangerous drug, possessing dangerous drugs, unlawful possession of a motor vehicle and possessing anything used in the commission of a crime. They all relate to a bust on April 24, 2015.
However, it has been delayed because Lacey says he has a bad shoulder and lawyers need to ensure adequate rehabilitation services are available if he is sent to jail.
Taxpayers will also pay the bill for hydrotherapy and physio work if he is slotted.
Lacey, who sold a double block on Hedges Ave in 2008 for $16.8m, underwent dual shoulder reconstruction surgery last year and claims he needs regular treatment.
He claims he cannot lift his arm above shoulder height and his lawyer, Lisa Searing, of Buckland Allen Lawyers, said his doctor said he might need surgery again in the next year.
Ms Searing said Lacey could not work and had been spending the past few months of freedom with partner Arianne Stringer.
Crown prosecutor Judith Geary said Lacey’s medical records had been gained on Thursday night and more information was needed from Queensland Corrective Services.
She asked for another week to get the information.
Defence barrister Sarah Thompson, instructed by Ms Searing, said Lacey’s shoulder rehabilitation was not going as well as expected and regular hydrotherapy baths were still needed.
The matter was set for sentence next Thursday.
Lacey was supposed to be sentenced in November but the matter was adjourned for December and then again yesterday.
Each sitting is estimated to be costing taxpayers $5000-7000.
Instead of leaving court in a luxury car yesterday, Lacey jumped into an Uber for his $450,000 Surfers Paradise unit overlooking the tram line.
He was flanked by Ms Stringer who did not leave his side as he entered and left court.
Lacey refused to comment.
Ms Searing said Lacey had hoped his son Jade would be out of jail before he went into custody, but Jade was yet to be released on parole.
Jade and younger brother Dionne were jailed in 2007 over the fatal shooting of landscaper Kevin Palmer in a Nerang unit.
Jade was also jailed for the kidnap and torture of 19-year-old Owen Matthews, who had been held at gunpoint and forced to dig his own grave.
Ken Lacey spent his considerable Melbourne milk fortune paying his sons’ legal fees to give them the best chance of staying out of prison.
Before his sons’ legal troubles, Lacey was a regular on the social scene in the Broadbeach area.
Up-market Moo Moos was his favourite place to dine and he was seen there regularly for lunch.
He also used to bar hop through eateries and night spots in the area as it was close to his Hedges Avenue home.
Lacey has not been spotted in the area for at least three years and has removed himself from the social scene.
KEN LACEY’S $1M-PLUS PROPERTY SALES
May 10, 2001: 5 Hedges Ave, Mermaid Beach, $1.65m.
May 8, 2004: 80 Marine Pde, Miami, $2.55m.
July 28, 2004: 32/20 Queensland Ave, Broadbeach, $1.565m.
July 6, 2005: 31/20 Queensland Ave, Broadbeach, $1.3m.
March 8, 2008: 47 Hedges Ave, Mermaid Beach, $16.8m.
July 9, 2009: 2/31 Albatross Ave, Mermaid Beach, $5.35m.
January 11, 2011: 2502/19 Albert Ave, Broadbeach, $2.85m.
Vicious public assault ‘could not be stopped’
A man who "couldn't be stopped" when he grabbed his partner by the hair and dragged her 100m through a Gold Coast shopping centre car park has now faced court over two dozen charges.
‘I’m not going to promise you anything’
A mother facing a string of drug offences was perhaps too honest with a magistrate yesterday after she initially couldn’t guarantee being on her best behaviour.