Disgraced VFL footballer Johnathon Proud jailed for violent attack on woman, death threats to teen

A fallen VFL footballer has been jailed for a spree of violent drug-fuelled crimes, including pulling a knife on a woman before beating her and threatening to kill a teenager and her family.

Jonathon Proud, 33, fronted the Melbourne Magistrates court on Friday. Picture: John Chadwick

A fallen VFL footballer has been jailed for two years after a spree of violent drug-fuelled crimes, including pulling a knife on a woman before beating her and threatening to kill a teenager and her family.

Jonathon Proud, 33, fronted the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday to be sentenced after he pleaded guilty to 26 charges including assault, making threats to kill and brandishing an imitation gun.

Proud’s brother Albert played for the Brisbane Lions between 2007 and 2010. Picture: Josh Chadwick

Proud, who previously played for the Coburg Lions, was sentenced for a series of violent incidents last year 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 the man and damaging his Holden Commodore.

In June, Proud 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.”

Proud was arrested in June and police found the imitation firearm, meth and knuckle dusters in his possession.

Proud’s lawyer Stephen O’Connoll said he wants to continue to play football when he is released from custody because of the structure the sport provided to him.

The footballer most recently played for the Tarneit Titans after stints in the QAFL, VFL and with other suburban Melbourne football clubs.

Proud was sentenced to two years and three months in prison.

He has already served 265 days in pre-sentence detention.