Viral Brownlow Medal ‘hulk’ Wesley Newell charged with misconduct a court no-show

The ripped ‘hulk’ who delivered the Brownlow Medal votes in 2016, becoming a social media hit, is now due in a Melbourne court for an alleged illegal act.

Wesley Newell and his biceps were the target for social media appreciation in 2016 when he delivered the Brownlow votes on national television.

The muscled “hulk” who became a social media sensation when he delivered the Brownlow Medal votes in 2016 did not show up in court on Tuesday for misconduct charges due to a date mix-up.

Wesley Newell is accused of sneaking banned items into a prison but did not appear on the Melbourne Magistrates Court video link for a scheduled hearing.

His lawyer, who joined late, said he thought the court date was the following week.

Wesley Newell became a social media star in 2016 when he delivered the Brownlow Medal votes on national TV while then working for security company Armaguard in a ripped condition. Picture: Instagram

The bodybuilder is now charged with misconduct of a public official after allegedly sneaking contraband into prison while working as a corrections officer. Picture: Instagram

Mr Newell was the surprise hit of the 2016 broadcast of the AFL’s night of nights, the Brownlow Medal, when viewers spotted him delivering the suitcase with the Brownlow votes to AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan.

He also delivered the suitcase in 2015 in a similar tight-fitting Armaguard uniform — the security company he was working for while safekeeping the votes.

New-found fans tweeted that Mr Newell was “the hulk” and had “the hugest biceps”, calling him “the buff Armaguard guy”.

What about the arms on the bloke from Armaguard 😳😳😳😳 #BrownlowMedal

— Matt Crouch (@mcrouch2) September 26, 2016

ALERT! Man spotted with two guns at the Brownlow medal. Last seen carrying armarguard briefcase #BrownlowMedal @AFL @AFLFootyShow

— jack grover (@super_grover87) September 26, 2016

He told media at the time that he was a professional bodybuilder, topless waiter and Mr Universe competitor, sharing that he loved footy and volunteered to carry the Brownlow votes because he didn’t mind the spotlight.

The 42-year-old is now charged with misconduct of a public official during his time as a Ravenhall prison corrections officer between February 1, 2019, and January 17, 2020.

Mr Newell is next due in court in March after missing his hearing on Tuesday due to a date mix-up. Picture: Instagram

Police allege he “wilfully and intentionally” misused his position during this time.

He was allegedly caught sneaking tobacco, impact drill bits, magazines, implements used to smoke ice and magazines into the facility on January 17 last year.

The matter will next appear on March 4.