Rising NRL star Reece Walsh pleads guilty to possession of cocaine at Surfers Paradise

Promising young Maroons fullback Reece Walsh has received little more than a slap on the wrist after he was busted in possession of cocaine at the Gold Coast.

A MAGISTRATE has told rising NRL star Reece Walsh it would be a “shame” to see his promising career spoiled by illicit drugs and a criminal history.

Walsh pleaded guilty to possessing a small amount of cocaine in the Gold Coast party precinct during a night out last month.

The Maroons fullback, current Warriors player and former Nerang Roosters star, was stopped by police in Surfers Paradise in the early hours of September 26.

Rising NRL star Reece Walsh outside Southport Courthouse. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Walsh pleaded guilty in the Southport Magistrates Court on Monday to contravening a police direction and possessing dangerous drugs.

Magistrate Ron Kilner placed Walsh on a $500 good behaviour bond for nine months. He was also fined $400. No conviction was recorded.

“If you accept the benefits of being in the public limelight and then you also have to accept the responsibilities, which in this case means you get more publicity than most when things don't go your way,” he said.

“You have a promising career ahead of you and it would be a shame to see that spoiled by taking of illicit substances and racking up a criminal history.”

Prosecutor Chris Freeman told the court police were near the Bedroom Lounge Bar about 12.15am when they saw Walsh acting disorderly.

Reece Walsh and his lawyer Corey Cullen. Picture: Nigel Hallett

When they approached, Walsh swore at police.

Mr Freeman said Walsh continued to swear at police as they asked for his ID and told them he was on his way home.

They told him to leave the area.

“As he was leaving he was walking in front of vehicles, arguing and pushing friends away,” Mr Freeman said.

At about 12.50am police spotted Walsh outside the Havana Nightclub, also on Orchid Ave.

Police asked him why he was there and then placed him under arrest for contravening the earlier order.

“He argued with police saying ‘I am not under arrest’,” Mr Freeman said.

He told the court when police searched Walsh at the police station they found a small clipseal bag in his right front pocket of his pants.

Mr Freeman said he was not questioned at the time due to his intoxication.

Defence lawyer Corey Cullen, of Cullen Lawyers said: “My client has publicly owned his mistakes in the sense the next day has fronted a press conference.”

The court was told the drugs were given to Walsh.

Mr Cullen said Walsh had also been fined $5000 by the NRL and suspended for two matches.

“It is very unlikely this is to repeat itself again,” he said.

Mr Cullen said Walsh was undertaking counselling and had done two sessions with his counselling.

When asked if Walsh had a reason, apart from alcohol, for not leaving the safe night precinct, Mr Cullen replied: “He had been out celebrating end of season with friends.”

The morning after the incident a tearful Walsh fronted media to apologise.

“Last night I got myself into a bit of trouble,” Walsh said.

“I was asked by some officers to move on and I didn’t move on. That led to me getting arrested and taken back to the police station.

Reece Walsh speaks to Queensland Police officers at Surfers Paradise.

“Once I got back to the police station I got searched and I was in possession of a small bag of cocaine – which I had some during the night.

“No-one else is involved in this. It is solely on me. I put my hand up – I should never have done it. It is a mistake I made.”

Outside of court Walsh promised the incident was a one off.

“I am just really embarrassed and ashamed of what I did and I am going to repay, my family friends, the club and fans who all stuck by me,” he said.

“I will work really hard to bounce back from this and make sure something like this never happens again.”

His comments were almost drowned out by a man who had a medical episode in the courthouse.

The man was yelling at paramedics who were trying to help him and the courthouse security team.

Mr Cullen said outside of court that Walsh was keen to move forward.

“He wants to put it to bed,” he said.

“He is a a young guy who has made a mistake and he has owned it.

“He wants to move forward here for his family and his fans.”

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Originally published as Rising NRL star Reece Walsh pleads guilty to possession of cocaine at Surfers Paradise