Bad sports: Melbourne athletes and coaches in the sin bin
These are the sports stars, grassroots athletes and coaches whose shot at the big time fell short due to sordid drug dealing, fraud and horror sex offences. See the offenders, named.
Melbourne City
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Melbourne is the sporting capital of the world jam-packed with wonderful athletes, coaches and administrators who shine at grassroots level all the way up to the world stage.
However, some of these once-promising and dedicated sporting identities landed on the wrong side of the law for their various crimes.
Check out the full list which includes a fallen triathlete who peddled dangerous party drugs, a soccer coach who sexually assaulted a vulnerable woman and a swimming prodigy who fell into a real estate fraud racket.
FOOTBALLER INVOLVED IN WILD BRAWL
Prodigious western suburbs footballer Cassius White punched and kicked rivals during a wild city brawl.
White avoided a conviction after pleading guilty in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court in December to affray.
White and several others fought like animals during a daylight rumpus on Swanston St outside Melbourne Central just after 7.30pm on November 1, 2020.
Footage of the vicious display revealed horrified onlookers standing by in absolute shock as the warring parties punched on.
The court heard the brawl ignited after a group approached the Melbourne Central tram stop and demanded their opponents throw down and fight.
Fights then erupted and spilt out onto the tram tracks.
White’s cousin James Harder was the first major casualty after he was coward hit in the side of the head by the main thug antagonist.
The blow knocked out Harder who fell and “smashed his head” on the pavement.
In the meantime, several members of Harder’s group moved to protect their unconscious mate while he remained laid out on the tram tracks.
Other thugs move in to attack the group but multiple onlookers mobilised and attempted to defuse the nightmare scene.
However, hostilities flared up again after a menace spat on Harder while another thug – who had been recording the brawl while hurtling abuse from the sidelines – threw a crate at Harder’s head.
The thug threw another crate before running away.
Another man then spat on Harder.
White, who had been in the toilet when the brawl erupted, moved into the action after spotting his cousin lying on the tracks.
White kicked and punched a man who was on the ground.
The court heard White was also among a group of brawlers engaged in combat when a rival fighter was knocked out.
White chased two men away before police arrived at the scene.
White, of Truganina, is a talented footy player and former Western Jets draft prospect, who played for the Samoan AFL representative team, the court was told.
According to a Facebook post, White joined Essendon Districts Football League club Hillside Sharks last year.
White, who has no priors nor subsequent offending, was fined $750 without conviction.
TAEKWONDO CHAMP CHOPPED DOWN FOR DOLE FRAUD
Former junior taekwondo champ Seda Demirkiran rorted Centrelink for almost $89,000.
Demirkiran was sentenced in the County Court in November 2020 to a three-year community correction order after pleading guilty to dishonestly obtain a financial advantage.
Demirkiran falsely claimed carer payments then rorted $88,297 from Centrelink’s coffers between January 2014 and August 2018.
The former Noble Park Secondary student earned almost $280,000 while she held down jobs with NAB, CommSec, Hays Recruitment and Cue & Co.
At the peak, Demirkiran raked in an average of $2819 a fortnight but told Centrelink she only earned a measly $382.50 during her entire four years of thievery.
Demirkiran weaseled carer payments after telling Centrelink she couldn’t hold down a job because she had to care for her mother’s serious illness and disability seven days a week.
Centrelink cut off Demirkiran’s payments in September 2015 after she failed to respond to a letter informing her of a review of her entitlements.
Demirkiran later asked Centrelink to reinstate her benefits after falsely declaring she “needed to spend more time at home”.
Centrelink regularly reminded Demirkiran of her income reporting obligations but the dole cheat’s skulduggery kicked on unabated.
An investigation was sparked via data-matching in April 2018.
Demirkiran, from Keysborough, was hauled into Centrelink Springvale for an interview in January 2019.
A doctor called on to provide evidence told the court Demirkiran “progressed through the junior ranks and gained rep status for Australia in the Commonwealth Games.”
It was later clarified Demirkiran represented Australia at the Commonwealth Taekwondo Championships.
Demirkiran was also ordered to perform 350 hours of unpaid community work, be assessed and treated for mental health and repay Centrelink the full amount.
GRUBBY SOCCER COACH’S SEXUAL ASSAULT SHAME
Disgraced soccer coach Andrea Faraone sexually assaulted an autistic woman then claimed he told her to leave his home because she had a “bad smell”.
Faraone was sentenced in the County Court in October 2020 to an 18-month community correction order after pleading guilty to intentionally sexually touching a woman.
Faraone met his victim via dating app Skout then invited her out for lunch on May 11 2018.
He told his victim he wanted “company” because he “didn’t like having lunch on his own”.
Faraone picked his 23-year-old victim up and drove her to his St Kilda apartment.
He cooked his victim pasta while she watched TV.
The creepy coach then made unwanted sexual advances on his victim.
Faraone kissed his victim, took her top off and touched her.
“I don’t like it, you can stop,” the victim said.
“I’m not a very sexual person.”
Faraone then unzipped his pants and made his victim perform a lewd act.
The sleazebag then performed a sex act while watching porn on his mobile phone.
Faraone — who told his victim he had “somewhere else to be” — drove the woman to a station to make her own way home to the other side of town.
The victim — who has autism, schizophrenia and developmental delay — went to the Royal Women’s later that evening.
Faraone — who initially denied any offending — told police his victim was at his home but she had a “real bad smell” and he “wanted her out of his house”.
Faraone also told police he thought the victim was a “bit strange” and he “didn’t like to deal with anyone that didn’t make sense”.
The court heard Faraone held a job as a soccer coach and also worked in hospitality and construction just prior to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Faraone was also ordered to undertake treatment and rehabilitation for drug use and to undertake 100 hours of community work.
GYMNASTICS COACH HAD SEX WITH CHILD AT GYM
Sunbury gymnastics coach Taylor Farrell had sex with a child at least once a week for more than two years, including at the gymnasium he taught at.
Farrell was sentenced in the County Court in June 2020 to three months’ jail after pleading guilty to a charge of sexually penetrating a child under 16.
Farrell was a coach at Gymnastics Unlimited in Kealba when he met his then 12-year-old victim several years ago.
Farrell communicated with the girl via Facebook messenger.
The court heard Farrell “groomed” his victim by paying her compliments, including telling her she was pretty.
The court heard the offending occurred “at least once a week” until mid-2014 at places including Farrell’s home, his car, at Sunbury Park and in the “foam pit” at the Kealba gymnasium after hours.
He told his victim to say she was 16 if anyone at his home asked how old she was.
His conduct was eventually reported to Gymnastics Victoria who referred the matter to police.
Farrell was arrested in November 2018 but wasn’t charged until May 2019.
He denied having a sexual relationship with the victim or knowing the girl’s real age despite it appearing on her Facebook profile.
Farrell was ordered to complete an 18-month community correction order and made a registered sex offender for 15 years.
FROSTY THE CONMAN
Former Eastern Football and Netball League club president Peter Baird lived a double-life as a cheque-bouncing serial swindler.
Baird pleaded guilty in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court in October last year to multiple obtain a property by deception charges.
Baird, formerly of Berwick, ripped $231,310 via multiple rorts committed between October 2012 and May 27, 2020.
Baird fleeced $152,423 through bogus aged care payments, siphoned $42,650 through a shonky Commonwealth Bank car loan and rinsed a further $36,127 out of a dodgy Esanda Finance scam.
The court heard Baird, a serial swindler who fronted court via videolink from custody, was already doing time for bad behaviour.
Baird’s aged care benefit scam ran until the day after he was jailed in May 2020 to a maximum 45-month jail term.
Baird was slotted for a Catch Me if You Can-style bogus cheque racket which left a trail of victims, including the mother of his two children.
The fraudster threw around valueless cheques “like they were going out of style” to purchase cars, pay bills and rent and even lay down a deposit for a house.
Unwitting stooges webbed into Baird’s lengthy deceit between 2013 and 2014 included the EFNL, and his dad, the County Court heard back in 2020.
Baird also repaid the EFNL $692 with a bogus cheque after he lost a camera while he worked for the league’s media team.
In February 2014, Baird bounced three cheques to cover the $94,000 deposit on a $960,000 Lysterfield South property.
Baird, a former Rowville Football Club president, left his former partner with a $58,000 debt after he ducked on an agreement to cover bills in lieu of child support.
Baird attempted to clear the debt with a series of valueless $67,000 cheques.
Baird also paid another former partner’s interstate relocation costs — with a bogus cheque.
The scoundrel stepped it up a notch when he opened 10 accounts — two in his dad’s name — with Bankwest Online between July and December, 2014.
Baird then ripped off $82,000 by depositing cheques into these accounts in person then immediately withdrawing cash before the cheques could bounce.
Baird, a former prison officer, will face the County Court at a later date.
CRICKETER’S CON SPREE HIT FOR SIX
Local cricketer Daniel Hoggett’s escalating “thrillseeking” fraud racket which left a slew of victims was bowled over.
Hoggett was sentenced in the County Court in September 2021 to a minimum 18-month jail term after pleading guilty to multiple obtain financial advantage charges.
Hoggett rorted almost $48,000 and attempted to fleece a further $168,500 between May 2016 and July 2020.
The bumbling scoundrel stole multiple identities which he used to open various credit and bank accounts.
Hoggett, who also pleaded guilty to attempting to obtain a financial advantage by deception charges, made 24 Latitude After-Pay applications using bogus ID.
The majority of the funds Hoggett gleaned from the racket was not recovered by Latitude, the court was told.
Hoggett, of Silvan, also opened various American Express, Bendigo Bank and Optus accounts and credit cards using stolen ID.
He used the accounts and credit cards to purchase expensive electronic goods including iPhone Pro phones and iPads.
Hoggett’s preferred retail target was the Good Guys with the fraudster opting to purchase his ill-gotten wares from that particular retailer on multiple occasions.
Hoggett was arrested, charged and bailed multiple times during his lengthy racket but investigators finally banged their man up for good in September 2020.
The court heard Hoggett, from Silvan, grew up in Melbourne’s outer east.
Hoggett worked in multiple roles including as a fencer and landscaper after leaving Wantirna College at the end of Year 10.
The defence submitted Hoggett “failed to live up to his academic potential” due to undiagnosed ADHD and was instead more focused on sport including cricket and football.
Hoggett, who was jailed for a maximum of 18 months, played for Knox City Cricket Club and hoped to continue playing football and cricket when released.
TRIATHLETE SWEATED FOR PARTY DRUG RACKET
Former world stage triathlete Blayden Meagher was busted with a massive haul of drugs including MDMA and cocaine.
Meagher was sentenced in the County Court in May, 2022 to a minimum four year and six month jail term after pleading guilty to multiple charges including trafficking a large commercial quantity of MDMA.
Meagher’s major drug racket was sunk after he was pulled over by police on EastLink near Carrum Downs on November 16, 2019.
Investigators locked on to Meagher after reports he was driving erratically, the court was told.
The once-promising open swimmer, who competed at state and national level, was nabbed with 100 ecstasy tablets in a bumbag, 26 deal bags containing cocaine stashed in his waistband, scales, bute, deal bags and cash — some of which was bundled in his underwear.
The talented athlete, who once competed in the World Triathlon Championship Series, told police he picked up the drugs while on his way to his parents’ Blairgowrie holiday home.
Police raided Meagher’s parents’ Doncaster East home the next day but found nothing illegal.
However, Meagher’s sister informed police her brother had moved to a house in Bulleen.
Investigators raided the Manningham Rd property where they discovered an Aladdin’s Cave of drugs and cash.
Police seized 1.8kg of MDMA from an open safe in a room titled “manager’s room”, various other drugs, a box of needles and a “significant” amount of cash.
Meagher was exposed as a drug trafficker after analysis of his phone revealed photos of drugs on scales and a text message exchange “discussing the sale of drugs”.
The court also heard Meagher, who had a “good upbringing”, was raised in Doncaster and the extent of his drug racket was a “shock to the family”.
Meagher attended Carey Grammar before completing his secondary schooling at Southwood Grammar formerly in Ringwood.
Meagher studied a double-degree at Deakin but later took up carpentry, the court heard.
The court was told Meagher also worked as a lifeguard.
Meagher, who received references from a former swim coach and his ex-employer, retained the support of his family and friends.
He was jailed for a maximum of seven years and six months.
SWIMMING STAR’S DRUG DOWNFALL
Former Haileybury swimming prodigy Stephanie accessed and illegally supplied clients’ personal information which was later used in various frauds.
Reed, a former Jellis Craig lease consultant, pleaded guilty in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court in September 2021 to supply identification with intent to commit obtain financial advantage by deception.
Reed accessed the Form 1 rental applications of multiple clients while she worked at Jellis Craig Hawthorn between September 13 and November 13, 2019.
The court heard Reed passed on the confidential information to an accomplice who used the victims’ identities to obtain various bogus email, phone and credit accounts.
Reed’s accomplice purchased goods including a JVC receiver and vintage leather bar stools via various online transactions.
The accomplice also purchased a $2236 Collarium Classic tanning canopy, the court was told.
Reed later sold the receiver and the tanning canopy via a Facebook Marketplace account.
Police seized evidence including a laptop, receipt for the tanning canopy, the Jellis Craig rental applications and other bogus pay slips and credit card applications after raiding the accomplice’s Sandringham apartment on March 28, 2020.
The jig was up for Reed, who also pleaded guilty to dealing with the proceeds of crime, after she was arrested at her Langwarrin home on August 24, 2020.
Police seized multiple devices which contained evidence linking Reed to her accomplice and the tanning canopy.
Reed gave “no comment” responses when quizzed regarding the Jellis Craig identity racket but claimed she sold the tanning canopy to “pay her rent”.
Investigators made inquiries with Jellis Craig Hawthorn director Sophie Lyons before tracing the rental application racket back to Reed via email, the court was told.
Reed had worked for various estate agents since she was 23, the court was told.
Reed’s downfall was cemented after the former junior national swimming star turned to illicit party drugs including meth and GHB.
The defence submitted Reed began using drugs due to anxiety and a “growing lack of confidence” and to “manage her weight”.
The court was told Reed, a mother, swapped the Jellis Craig client identity information for cash to buy drugs.
Reed hopes to work as a swimming teacher in the future but is now focused on being a mother for her child, the court was told.
Reed was convicted and fined $1500 and her licence was disqualified for nine months.
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