The real cost of former Gold Coast Titan Dave Taylor’s cocaine scandal

DAVE Taylor’s decision to use cocaine has cost him his marriage, his home, hundreds of thousands of dollars in salary and potentially his football career.

Former Gold Coast Titans player Dave Taylor pictured appears in Southport Court with his lawyer Campbell McCallum Photo: David Clark

DAVE Taylor’s decision to use cocaine has cost him his marriage, his home, hundreds of thousands of dollars in salary and potentially his football career.

The National Rugby League’s integrity unit is this week expected to decide the former Titan’s fate after he was slapped with a $1000 fine, and no conviction recorded, in the Southport District Court yesterday after pleading guilty in August to possessing cocaine in late 2014.

“He has come back to Australia and lost approximately $200,000 due to the quick sale of his house, which was required due to the breakdown of his marriage,” defence lawyer Campbell MacCallum, of Moloney MacCallum Lawyers, said.

“The breakdown of the marriage is a direct result of the stresses that were put upon himself and his wife and the media attention at the time the offences were committed.”

Former Gold Coast Titans player Dave Taylor says he’s lost 80 per cent of his income since the scandal Photo: David Clark

A reference supplied to the court by Taylor’s sports agent Col Davis revealed the NRL player’s value had dropped about 80 per cent since becoming embroiled in the Crime and Corruption Commission’s investigation into alleged drug kingpin John Touma.

The State of Origin star, 28, was earning about $500,000 a year playing for the Titans in 2014.

“As a result of Dave’s recent indiscretions he has been remorseful and paid a heavy price,” the reference said.

“His career has suffered enormously, with his currently playing salary being approximately 80 per cent less than in previous NRL seasons.”

Taylor’s future career remains uncertain with the NRL’s integrity unit waiting for a sentencing report before determining any additional punishment. Taylor is trialling for a contract with the Canberra Raiders after returned from a stint in France.

Mr MacCallum expected the integrity unit to make a decision this week.

Taylor was originally charged with supplying cocaine alongside former Titans’ players Joe Vickery and Jamie Dowling. His charges were later downgraded to possession of the drug.

Taylor yesterday avoided having a conviction recorded, which could have stopped him from playing overseas.

In sentencing, Judge Katherine McGinness said Taylor had acted poorly for a professional sportsman.

“(You) set a very bad example to children and young adults in the community,” she said.

Outside court, Taylor said he was hoping to “move on”.

“I’m looking to move on and leave everything behind me and hopefully do good for Canberra,” he said.

In March last year, code-hopping star Karmichael Hunt escaped court with a $2500 fine and no conviction to his name after pleading guilty to possessing 12.5g of cocaine.

Hunt pleaded guilty at the first possible instance in the Southport Magistrates Court to four counts of the downgraded charge of drug possession.

In September, Vickery was sentenced to 120 hours community service and slapped with a $1000 fine after being charged with six counts of cocaine possession.

Dowling was sentenced to two years probation after pleading guilty to seven counts of possession of a dangerous drug.

He also received 200 hours of community service and a $500 fine for being the middle man, facilitating the supply of the drug to a friend.

Touma is expected to stand trial next year.