Daniel Connors convicted after admitting to possessing imitation gun and stealing car

A magistrate says former Richmond player Daniel Connors chose to live life like a “gangster” after his brazen offending was captured on CCTV footage.

A magistrate has told former Richmond player Daniel Connors it looked like he had “chosen the life of a gangster” when CCTV footage captured him lifting up his shirt and showing off an imitation gun to his mates.

Connors, who played for the Tigers between 2007 and 2012, fronted the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday where he was convicted after pleading guilty to possessing an imitation firearm and theft of a motor vehicle.

The 35-year-old was captured on CCTV footage in a lift “revealing” an imitation firearm to three of his mates in the early hours of Christmas Eve last year, according to a prosecution summary released by the court.

He lifted his shirt not once but four times to expose the replica, which was tucked into his waistband, as his group of friends twice used the lift.

“If one was to view the CCTV footage in its entirety, one could draw the inference that at that time he had chosen the life of a gangster,” Magistrate Brett Sonnet told the court.

“If you take a snapshot of what goes on in the lift, it’s almost gangster-like conduct.”

Daniel Connors admitted to possessing an imitation firearm and stealing a car. Picture: David Geraghty

Later that morning, the former Tiger was a passenger in a stolen white Toyota with three other men as it pursued a silver Volkswagen at speed through Moonee Ponds, Essendon and Coburg.

The chase was allegedly triggered by an altercation between two groups, which involved one of Connors’ co-accused punching another man.

As the quartet gave chase in the stolen Toyota, several shots were fired at the Volkswagen by another co-accused.

But 10 minutes later, the Toyota speed through a red light on Bell St in Coburg and crashed head on into another vehicle before spinning into several other cars.

Connors, who was on bail, was charged in early January on a “complicity basis” with discharging a firearm with reckless disregard for safety, using a firearm in a dangerous manner and reckless conduct endangering life.

The high-speed pursuit was caught on dashcam footage. Picture: Supplied

Prosecutor Daye Gang said while she was not alleging Connors fired the gun, she argued he “encouraged” his co-accused to wield and use the weapon.

But the serious charges were thrown out by Mr Sonnet who earlier this month ruled the evidence relating to Connors’ involvement in the violent car chase was not of “sufficient weight” to support a conviction.

The former AFL player did admit though to stealing the car after the prosecution argued by being a passenger and “knowing it was stolen”, he had ultimately committed a theft.

“He is not the actual thief, but he’s a joyrider knowing that it’s a stolen vehicle,” Mr Sonnet remarked.

Connors was previously alleged to have possessed a working firearm, but the charge was downgraded to “imitation firearm” after Ms Gang conceded the item depicted in the CCTV footage was “never found” by police.

In January, Connors was granted bail to attend rehab after spending 14 days in custody because his parents agreed to stump up $50,000 from their savings as a bail surety.

Connors’ defence barrister Samuel Tovey said his client had since turned his life around and was on a “positive path” revolving his life around work, his six-month-old son and his relationship.

Connors played for the Tigers between 2007 and 2012. Picture: Getty

He played 29 games in the yellow and black.

The once talented footballer was drafted by Richmond in 2006, playing 29 games for the club.

But he was sacked after a sleeping pill blunder in which he and fellow teammate, Richmond superstar Dustin Martin, missed a training session.

It is believed Connors was shown the door in a bid to protect Martin, amid concerns he would end up in trouble due to the association.

Martin is now a three-time premiership player, a triple Norm Smith medallist and a Brownlow medallist.

“How long ago did Mr Connors play for Richmond?” Mr Sonnet asked, to which Mr Tovey replied “2007 to 2012”.

“So, not under the Hardwick years?” Mr Sonnet added.

“I would call them the … hard times, Your Honour,” Mr Tovey said.

“Mr Connors seemed to have left just before things started going well.”

The court heard Connors, who sat quietly behind his lawyer, now runs a maintenance business and works as a traffic controller.

He pleaded guilty in May to separate charges including negligently dealing with proceeds of crime and possessing a prohibited weapon.

He was convicted and fined $2000.

This time, Connors was convicted, ordered to pay $2500 to the Salvation Army and placed on a two-year good behaviour bond.

“I’m going to show you leniency for the final time,” Mr Sonnet said.

“I commend your efforts to try and turn your life around.

“It’s very important you try and stay on the straight and narrow.”