Michael Diamond pleads not guilty in court

DUAL Olympic gold medallist Michael Diamond has made a special request in court, as his Rio hopes remain in limbo.

Six-time Olympic shooter Michael Diamond pleaded not guilty at court on Tuesday.

MICHAEL Diamond’s hopes of competing at the Rio Olympics remain in limbo as a magistrate decides whether to speed up a criminal hearing against him.

The dual Olympic gold medallist shooter pleaded not guilty to firearms and drink-driving charges at Raymond Terrace Local Court, north of Newcastle, on Tuesday.

He also asked that the case be expedited to finish before the July 4 Olympic selection cut-off date.

Magistrate Caleb Franklin adjourned the matter until Friday, so Diamond’s lawyers and police could determine how long the hearing was likely to take, but he left the door open to granting the request.

“If it is the situation where there is court time available because the matter is relatively short, I’m likely to be persuaded,” Mr Franklin said.

But the magistrate warned if the matter was likely to take some time, forcing him to juggle part-heard matters around, he would take some convincing.

The 44-year-old veteran of six Olympics was charged with high-range drink-driving, not keeping a firearm safely and handling a firearm under the influence of alcohol at Nelson Bay, near Newcastle, on the night of Saturday, May 21.

It followed an alleged domestic argument with his brother at a home in Stockton Street, Nelson Bay.

Diamond’s Olympic hopes remain in limbo

Police did not name Diamond, but a statement at the time said police from Port Stephens Local Area Command spoke to a man in Shoal Bay as he stood close to his motor vehicle.

“The man was arrested after refusing to undergo a roadside breath test,” the statement said.

“Police then searched the man’s motor vehicle and located a shotgun and 150 rounds of ammunition.”

He was taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station where he underwent a breath analysis returning a reading of 0.159.

The case will next be heard at Newcastle Local Court, where Diamond will not be required to appear.

Australian Olympic team boss Kitty Chiller has warned Diamond could be ruled out of selection if convicted.

The criminal case is just one hurdle Diamond faces in his bid to go to Rio.

The veteran’s selection is also subject to an appeal by teenager Mitchell Iles, who is challenging Shooting Australia at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Iles, 16, will argue at a hearing on June 20 that he deserves nomination for a spot on the Rio team ahead of Diamond and Adam Vella.

Originally published as Michael Diamond pleads not guilty in court