By Clare Sibthorpe and Daniel Lo Surdo
Former Test cricketer Stuart MacGill has avoided jail for his role in a $330,000 cocaine deal that was later linked to his kidnapping, in what a judge described as a “very public fall from grace”.
The 54-year-old was found guilty in March of knowingly taking part in the supply of a prohibited drug, having introduced his regular cocaine dealer to his partner’s brother.
Former Australian cricketer Stuart MacGill arrives at the Sydney Downing Centre on Friday.Credit: Sam Mooy
On Friday, Judge Nicole Noman sentenced MacGill in the NSW District Court to a one-year-and-10-month intensive corrections order over the “colossal lapse of judgment”, which she described as “causative of a very public fall from grace”.
The court was told MacGill’s introduction of his dealer, known only as “Person A”, to Marino Sotiropoulos led to the exchange of $330,000 for a kilogram of cocaine in April 2021.
With the jury earlier hearing his involvement was limited to that introduction, MacGill was acquitted of the more serious charge of taking part in a large commercial drug supply.
In sentencing MacGill, Noman found he did not know the amount of cocaine that would be exchanged but “played an indispensable role in the preliminary discussions over a number of days and facilitated the supply by introducing the buyer to the supplier”.
“Although his knowledge was limited … his conduct resulted in the supply of one kilogram of cocaine. He did so for no perceived benefit,” she said, referring to MacGill receiving no money from the cocaine deal.
Noman said MacGill maintained his innocence and claimed he had no knowledge that his introduction of “Person A” to Sotiropoulos would result in drug deals.
The former leg-spinner’s trial heard he was spending between $400 and $600 a week on cocaine at the time.
He was a loyal customer to “Person A”, regularly buying half-gram quantities from him for $200, being allowed to rack up a $1000 drug debt and receiving expensive bottles of alcohol as gifts.
But in April 2021, MacGill allegedly complained to “Person A” about the quality of cocaine he was buying, telling him that Sotiropoulos could get him “good gear”.
The $330,000 deal took place in an Ashfield park in Sydney’s inner west.
Days passed since that deal was sealed with no issues when “Person A” ripped off Sotiropoulos’ associates in another deal, the court heard.
“Person A” allegedly received two kilograms of cocaine from the associates and handed them a vacuum-sealed bag of A4 paper that appeared to be cash. He fled with $660,000 worth of drugs and became uncontactable.
Stuart MacGill played 44 Test matches for Australia.Credit: Hamish Blair/Getty Images
MacGill was faced with threats demanding his dealer’s whereabouts or the missing money. This led to his violent kidnapping.
MacGill earlier gave evidence that a group of men shoved him into the back of a car and drove him to Bringelly in Sydney’s south-western outskirts, where they stripped, assaulted and, eventually, freed him.
Days later, he went to police and admitted introducing “Person A” to Sotiropoulos but denied knowledge of the one-kilogram deal, the trial heard.
But the prosecution argued the deal had only been possible with MacGill’s prior involvement.
In sentencing MacGill to a community-based order, the judge said he showed promising prospects of not reoffending and of rehabilitation and that he had seemingly abstained from drug use since his arrest in 2023.
“I’m satisfied that the risk of reoffending in a matter that may affect community safety will be better reduced by an ICO than full-time imprisonment,” she said.
Former Australian Test captain Steve Waugh, pictured in 2023, was among those to provide a positive character reference.Credit: Wolter Peeters
During sentencing submissions, defence barrister Thos Hodgson told the court former Australian Test captain Steve Waugh was among those who submitted positive character references, describing MacGill as “responsible” and “resilient”.
In his reference, Waugh said MacGill was a person with a “wide range of interests” and an “insatiable appetite for knowledge aided by recording books on a daily basis”.
“I believe Stuart has the background of knowledge accumulated in his life and playing days to appreciate all the options for the future and the hard work and steps required in this process.”
Waugh praised MacGill’s conduct under his captaincy, saying there was “no fuss” when handed a task on the field, and was “motivated to test his skills against the best”.
Nigel Peters, a judge in the United Kingdom and friend of MacGill’s, praised his coaching acumen, saying he had assisted with the career of Australian spin bowler Adam Zampa.
The court heard MacGill remained involved in children’s cricket coaching and received financial support through the government JobSeeker program.
Crown prosecutor Gabrielle Steedman submitted that his conviction would have a “discretionary” impact on his future employment.
Hodgson argued media attention MacGill had faced since his abduction had contributed to his depressive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder and therefore served as extra-curial punishment.
However, Steedman said the suggestion he had “been followed by the media” or of the use of “telescopic lenses” was not a matter before the court.
“Ordinarily, if media attention is to be a matter of extra-curial punishment, it has to actually affect Mr MacGill in some significant psychological or psychiatric way,” she said.
Speaking outside court, Hodgson said MacGill was pleased to avoid jail but indicated he would consider appealing against his sentence and conviction.
“The judge was obviously very concerned about cocaine and drug use and the like, but she was prepared to give Mr MacGill the benefit of the doubt, particularly considering what he had gone through, what he suffered with the kidnapping.”
Under MacGill’s intensive correction order, he must submit to supervision by Community Corrections, perform 495 hours of community service, participate in any psychological treatment recommended by Community Corrections, and engage in any drug or alcohol program – including giving urine samples – as directed by Community Corrections.
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