Disgraced VFL footballer Johnathon Proud backflips on appeal bid for less jail time

A stern warning from a judge has caused a former VFL footballer — who is behind bars for a spree of violent drug-fuelled crimes — to withdraw his appeal for a shorter sentence.

Proud has played for the Coburg Lions and Tarneit Titans. Picture: John Chadwick

A disgraced VFL footballer has backtracked on his bid for a shorter jail stint after a stern warning from a judge.

Johnathon Proud, 33, appealed the two year and three month prison sentence he was handed in March for a spree of violent drug-fuelled crimes in the County Court on Wednesday.

Proud, who previously played for the Coburg Lions, pleaded guilty to 26 charges over several months including pulling a knife on a woman before bashing her and smashing up her home.

During another incident, he pulled an imitation firearm before beating a man and damaging his Holden Commodore.

Proud has served 369 days of his sentence. Picture: Supplied.

Proud, who most recently played for the Tarneit Titans after stints in the QAFL, VFL and with other Melbourne suburban football clubs, also threatened to kill an entire family — including a teenage girl — in a vile text spree sent to the teenager’s mother.

“I am going to cut your throat now,” one of Proud’s 99 text messages read.

“I’m killing all of them, I’m killing your father too.”

After the details of the crimes were read to Judge Geoffrey Chottle, he told Proud he had “done well” to only receive a two year and three month sentence.

“I’m formally warning you could get more time,” Judge Chottle said.

After this stern warning, Proud’s lawyer Stephen O’Connoll asked to talk to his client about continuing his appeal.

Proud then withdrew his appeal.

He has already served more than a year of his sentence.