Olympian Scott Miller sentenced for meth supply ring

A one-time golden boy of the pool could finally be released from prison after being labelled as a “trusted senior figure” of a meth supply ring.

Olympic swimmer Scott Miller has been handed another jail term for serious drug supply offences but could be out of prison in coming months, a court has heard.

Butterfly champion Miller, now 49, was on Friday labelled a “trusted senior member” of a Sydney meth ring and sentenced to more than four years in prison for supplying 504g of the drug in 2020.

But with time served, Miller’s non-parole period will expire on May 16 – meaning he could soon apply to be released under supervision three years since his arrest.

The Downing Centre District Court heard correctives staff believed the father would receive no benefit from further incarceration, and described him as a “model prisoner”.

Members of Miller’s family broke down in tears as his sentence was delivered by Judge Andrew Scotting, and they realised he could soon be back home.

Scott Miller won a silver medal at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. Picture: AP

Miller in 2014. Picture: AAP / Paul Miller

The court heard how Miller was committed to turning his life around, and that he had felt “abandoned by his sport” after his career ended due to form and injuries in 2004.

Appearing in court via video link, Miller looked trim and sported a shaved head. He waved to family through the screen before the hearing began.

Miller was arrested in February 2021 after an extensive police investigation into a drug supply syndicate led them to his Rozelle home.

Detectives arrest Scott Miller in 2021. Picture: NSW Police Force

The court heard he had “intimate knowledge” of the racket operating out of an inner west safe house, which he had a key for, and moved half a kilo of drugs himself.

Miller used codenames such as “Joker”, “IQ” and “Con” to chat with co-offenders on encrypted apps, and was part of discussions about drug supply plans.

A ledger found in a Sydney storage shed rented by one person involved in the ring revealed “Joker” – or Miller – made $120,000 in profit out of the illegal activities.

Miller pleaded guilty to one count of supplying a large commercial quantity of illegal drugs and asked for another charge of participating in a criminal group to be taken into account on sentence.

Judge Scotting imposed a maximum sentence of four years and three months, with a one year non-parole period, backdated to May 2023.

“He has unequivocally and powerfully accepted responsibility for his actions,” the judge said.

Miller’ failure to win gold in 1996 had a huge impact on his mental health.

Scott Miller with first wife Charlotte Dawson at their wedding in 1999.

In evidence tendered to the court, his lawyers detailed how a series of personal set backs led Miller, a one-time golden boy of the pool, towards his stint as a drug dealer.

Miller cites his failure to win gold at the 1996 Atlanta games as a “pivotal moment” in his life, the court heard, and afterwards his form and mental state took a downward turn.

He claims he was introduced to drugs by his late wife, television personality Charlotte Dawson, but his escalating use led to the breakdown of their marriage.

After retiring from swimming, Miller’s parents remortgaged their home so he could start a venture under the Rudd government’s ill-fated pink batts insulation scheme in 2008, which ended in disaster.

The court heard he still felt immense guilt over the financial position his parents were left in by that business’ failure.

Miller has faced court several times since his retirement. Picture: AAP Image/Dean Lewins

Then Miller’s late hours running an escort agency led him to relapse on using meth and he was convicted of drug possession in 2013.

Years later, he started a truck hire business that was foiled by the outbreak of COVID-19.

Judge Scotting said Miller told a psychologist he began using drugs again to “cope with the stress of his declining business”.

Court documents state Miller has reflected on a happy and loving childhood, however, he felt betrayed by a sport he left home to dedicate his life to from the age of 16.

“He thought when it was over (his career) they turned their backs on him, leaving him damaged with no life skills and no education,” Judge Scotting told the court.

Miller was sentenced in 2022 to five years and six months’ jail in late 2022 for a series of separate charges related to the same investigation.

The 49-year-old completed the non-parole period of that sentence in February this year but was unable to be released while he awaited sentence for the charges he faced on Friday.

A decision on Miller’s possible parole would be made by the NSW State Parole Authority.

Originally published as Olympian Scott Miller sentenced for meth supply ring