Former Carlton, Richmond player Chris Yarran jailed over crime spree

Former AFL player Chris Yarran will spend the next few years behind bars over a meth-fuelled crime spree, with his lawyer telling the court he began using the drug when playing for Carlton in a period of “upheaval” at the club.

Yarran’s lawyer told the court he started using drugs after moving to Melbourne to play for the Blues. Picture:Wayne Ludbey

Former Carlton AFL star Chris Yarran has been described as a “poster boy” for the devastating effects of methamphetamine on the community as he was jailed for five years over a violent drug-fuelled “one-man crime spree”.

Yarran terrorised drivers and repeatedly punched and headbutted a police officer during a crime spree that started in Alkimos and ended in the city centre in November.

The former AFL player said his life at that point had been “reduced to two objectives — obtaining and using methamphetamine’ — a “sad reality” Judge Linda Petrusa said was not unique.

“Methamphetamine is often referred to a scourge on society and you, Christopher Yarran, can now be considered one of its poster boys,” she said.

Yarran’s three-hour rampage started about 7.20pm on November 9 after asking his grandparents’ 63-year-old neighbour for a lift to his sister’s house.

He directed the man to pull over in an Alkimos carpark and demanded he get out, dragging him by the wrists and arms.

The 28-year-old drove the stolen car through traffic lights at the intersection of Reid Highway and Mirrabooka Avenue, crashing into two cars.

Yarran then left on foot and tried to steal the cars of two people who stopped to help at the scene.

He continued along Mirrabooka Avenue, where he attacked a man in his 40s and stole his car.

When police found the stolen car on Hill St in Perth, and observed Yarran to be acting erratically, he got out of the car and tried to flee.

He charged at a police car and after being tackled to the ground by Constable Josh Gammon-Carson, he repeatedly head-butted and punched him, trying to steal his gun and taser.

Even a shock by a taser could not subdue Yarran, with his rampage only ending when members of the public came to assist the officers.

The constable, who was in court today for the sentencing, was left needing surgery to a knee injury sustained during the arrest.

Ex Carlton, now Richmond player Chris Yarran. Picture: Bohdan Warchomij

Defence lawyer Terry Dobson today detailed Yarran’s tragic past, saying he began using methamphetamine in 2014 while playing at Carlton and there was some “upheaval” at the club.

“It quickly took over,” he said. Yarran spent some time in rehabilitation in 2015 before his retirement from the game after signing with Richmond but retiring the following year.

It was in 2017, Mr Dobson said, that his life spun out of control, as he dealt with the Tigers’ premiership win “which he was not a part of”.

The court was told he “experienced a sense of loss” as by that point he was playing with Swan Districts Football Club “not at the elite level”.

His emotional turmoil was compounded with the deaths of his niece and cousin, former Fremantle Docker Shane Yarran.

“From that point on, his abuse of meth skyrocketed,” he said. “He saw no point, almost in life.”

Mr Dobson said Yarran reached the point where he wanted to take his own life.

“He simply did not see anything in terms of his future.”

Mr Dobson said Yarran sought to end his life when he committed the crimes and while meth use was no excuse, it was “an explanation for deranged behaviour”.

“He was mentally unwell but one would expect that … with chronic meth use,” the lawyer said.

Eight references were handed to the court, including Yarran’s former coach Mick Malthouse and former Carlton captain Chris Judd, which Judge Petrusa said described Yarran as a “shy man dedicated to his sport”.

Judge Petrusa said Yarran was a “one-man crime spree”. “It is more by good luck than good management that you did not cause more harm than you did,” she said.

“You left a trail of devastation for friends and strangers alike.”

Judge Petrusa said Yarran was “living the dream doing what you loved at the highest level” while at Carlton.

“Your dream, however, began to fall apart at the end of 2014, when you started to use, and a number of friends left the club and you felt alone,” she said.

“You attempted to make a fresh start at Richmond but that did not happen.” Judge Petrusa said while Yarran had “suffered loss and distress”, “it does not give you the right to inflict pain on others.”

Yarran, whose sentence was backdated to November 9, must serve three years behind bars before becoming eligible for parole.

He was also ordered to pay $500 to cover the damage of the car he stole and crashed.

Outside court, Mr Dobson said he had spoken to Yarran and said he had taken the sentence well.

Yarran was supported by his mother and partner in court, and Mr Dobson said he was “blessed” to have them. Mr Dobson agreed Yarran’s story was a “classic example of methamphetamine taking over a life and the consequences are just enormous”.

Mr Dobson said Yarran’s mental state had improved since being in custody.

He will be eligible for parole after serving three years, backdated to his arrest.

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