After two months behind bars, jailed barrister Anthony Grant says prison is ‘hell on earth’

Former barrister Anthony Grant spent years sending criminals to jail but now, facing commercial drug trafficking charges, he says prison is “hell on earth” as he begs for bail for the third time.

Cash and drugs allegedly found in the home of criminal barrister Anthony Grant. Supplied: Supreme Court Victoria

A former state prosecutor whose career was built on jailing criminals has declared prison to be “hell on earth” during his third attempt at bail on commercial drug trafficking charges.

Anthony Grant, former Office of Public Prosecutions solicitor and barrister, has spent the past two months behind bars on remand under strict protection conditions after police allegedly uncovered a massive stash of drugs in the CBD apartment he shared with his girlfriend Atousa Haghighi.

The 44-year-old pleaded for bail in the Supreme Court on Monday after failing on multiple occasions to convince magistrates to free him.

Atousa Amouzegar Haghighi, the girlfriend of accused drug-dealing criminal barrister Anthony Grant, is facing a series of drug charges. Picture: Supplied

Grant, former Office of Public Prosecutions solicitor and barrister, has spent the past two months behind bars under strict protection conditions. Picture: Supreme Court Victoria

His defence barrister David Hallowes SC told the court life in prison has been tough for Mr Grant, who has been subjected to “harsh” conditions – including 23-hour a day solitary confinement – due to his legal career.

“He described it as hell on earth,” Mr Hallowes said, referring to the barrister’s time at maximum-security Melbourne Assessment Prison.

Justice Amanda Fox said Mr Grant “lived somewhat of a double life” prior to his arrest.

While working as a barrister at Owen Dixon Chambers, Mr Grant consumed methamphetamine, GHB, ecstasy and ketamine on a weekly basis, as well as eight standard drinks a day, according to a report previously tendered to court.

Among other paraphernalia, police seized a prosthetic penis during a raid of Grant’s CBD home. Picture: Supreme Court Victoria

“He was somehow still working, attending court and yet also abusing both alcohol and drugs,” Judge Fox said.

“His brother frankly concedes he was unaware of any drug issue and didn’t see anything of concern.”

Mr Hallowes argued his client met exceptional circumstances for bail due to his lack of prior criminal history, the harsh prison conditions and court delays meaning any potential trial was two years away and that time may be greater than any potential custodial sentence imposed.

Mr Grant is facing 13 charges, the most serious being trafficking a commercial quantity of 1.4 butanediol.

It’s alleged about 11L of 1.4 butanediol was found in his apartment.

Mr Hallowes said the street price of the GHB precursor was about $1000 per litre, a far lower value than other drugs.

“He was someone living a fairly chaotic life at the time. This was not sophisticated, high-level drug trafficking,” Mr Hallowes said.

A stashed safe was also recovered during the raid. Picture: Supreme Court Victoria

Other items allegedly seized in the raid of the couple’s Queens Rd apartment were a prosthetic penis, often used to falsify urine drug tests, and several phones and computers.

Prosecutor Jessica Hotchkin said police were still yet to analyse the devices due to an ongoing claim of legal privilege made by Mr Grant, who at the time of his arrest was representing his girlfriend on methamphetamine trafficking charges.

“The prosecution case relies on the quantum of substances located at Mr Grant’s address. It’s not known if other evidence on the devices may disclose greater or more prolonged involvement (with drug trafficking),” Ms Hotchkin said.

Last month, Ms Haghighi was granted bail to live at a $350 per night residential rehabilitation facility.

If bailed, Mr Grant has agreed to undertake drug screenings and seek addiction and mental health support.

Justice Fox will hand down her bail decision later today.