Stuart MacGill is set to undertake community service after being found guilty of involvement in a cocaine deal, which subsequently led to his kidnapping. The former Australian cricketer faced charges after a jury determined he provided drugs for a transaction between his regular dealer and brother-in-law in April 2021. While MacGill was acquitted of the major charge of participating in large-scale drug supply, he was convicted of the lesser offence of supplying an indictable quantity of cocaine, despite his claim that he was unaware a kilogram brick had been exchanged.
MacGill, 54, was present at the Downing Centre District Court on Friday, receiving support from former Test captain Steve Waugh. In court documents, Waugh stated, “I believe that 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.”
MacGill’s legal repercussions include a one-year and ten-month intensive corrections order. Judge Nicole Noman emphasised that MacGill’s involvement was crucial, noting, “His role was essential to bring the parties together and for the transaction to occur.” As a part of his sentence, MacGill must complete 495 hours of community service and submit to drug testing, which serves as an alternative to imprisonment.
The 54-year-old’s connection to the cocaine trade inadvertently set off a chain reaction, culminating in his own abduction. This event garnered considerable media attention, contributing to his “very public fall from grace,” as Judge Noman described.
MacGill, who concluded his cricketing career in 2008 with 208 wickets in 44 Test matches, finds himself navigating an unforeseen personal ordeal, underscoring the consequences of his actions beyond the playing field.
