Peter Salesui: Clyde North boxer ‘The Sniper’ nabbed driving on ice
In boxing rings across the country he’s known as ‘The Sniper’ — but he misfired badly when got behind the wheel while drugged-up.
South East
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A professional boxer who goes by the ring name ‘The Sniper’ misfired badly when he got caught behind the wheel of a car while drugged-up on ice.
Peter Salesui pleaded guilty to drug and driving offences in the Frankston Magistrates' Court on Wednesday after he was busted in August last year.
The court heard Salesui, of Clyde North, who goes by the name ‘Sniper’ in rings across the country, was caught driving an unregistered Audi in Hampton Park while disqualified on August 14.
Officers uncovered ice inside the car, the court heard.
On August 26 Salesui provided a positive drug test for ice after he was nabbed driving an unregistered car in Clyde North.
Salesui told officers he “just went to get petrol,”, the court heard.
Salesui, who was jailed for crimes including driving offences in 2019, also has priors for possess meth and drink driving, Magistrate Vicky Prapas heard.
Salesui’s lawyer James McKenzie said his client, who is training for a fight at the Kings of Kombat competition at Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre in May, experienced “troubled times” in his teens to early 20s.
“He struggled with addiction to drugs associated with pretty poor social circles,” Mr McKenzie said.
Mr McKenzie said Salesui was heavily involved with his local church and began a “process of transformation and improvement” when he was released from prison in 2019.
Salesui provided character references from his pastor as well as his boxing coach and friends.
In a Facebook post in November last year Salesui said he had “hit rock bottom” but had found “new opportunities” through boxing and his faith.
“(My brothers and I) were easily influenced in getting into trouble. The cycle of crime continued on until we hit rock bottom — it’s real down there — but the thing for us hitting rock bottom you can only learn and start again,” he said.
“We learnt that the obstacles that are in your way (aren’t) meant to stop you, they’re designed to point the way to a new route … life is full of challenges but with god anything is possible.”
Salesui, who is on bail, will return to court on May 6.
