Ben Cousins in prison longer due to failed drug test
FALLEN former football star Ben Cousins will not be eligible for release from prison at the end of this month, after failing a drug test.
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FALLEN former football star Ben Cousins will not be eligible for release from prison at the end of this month, after failing a drug test.
The former Brownlow Medallist was jailed for 12 months in March for stalking his former partner and drug possession. But Cousins was eligible for parole at the end of this month, taking into account time he had already served.
According to Cousins’ lawyer Michael Tudori, the 39-year-old failed the drug test while on remand but said the ex-Eagles captain was now drug-free in prison.
“I can confirm that Mr Cousins’ parole application has been delayed awaiting for him to complete further rehabilitation courses which are now only becoming available to him,” Mr Tudori said.
“He will be eligible to reapply for parole upon completion of those courses in due course.
“Although when Mr Cousins was first remanded in custody he tested positive to an illicit
substance on one occasion, he is currently drug free and in positive spirits.”
The test revelation comes just weeks after Cousins’ father Bryan said he feared his son wouldn’t be able to turn his life around in prison.
Cousins has been ordered to complete extra rehabilitation before he will be eligible for parole.
The Parole Board says the fallen star will need to complete that rehabilitation at Acacia Prison before he will be considered for release.
The positive test has also raised questions over how Cousins accessed the drugs while behind bars.
Mr Tudori strongly denied any suggestion Cousins was involved or connected to smuggling drugs into prison, labelling the claims “absurd” and “unsubstantiated”.