Stuart MacGill Sentenced to Community Service for Cocaine Deal Involvement

Stuart MacGill's Legal Troubles

Stuart MacGill, a former Australian Test cricketer, has received a community service order after being convicted of facilitating a cocaine transaction valued at $330,000, which ultimately led to his kidnapping.

The Downing Centre District Court in Sydney previously sentenced MacGill to one year and ten months in prison. In addition to his sentence, he must complete 495 hours of community service and participate in regular drug testing.

This incident traces back to April 2021, when MacGill introduced his regular drug supplier, referred to in court as Person A, to his brother-in-law, Marino Sotiropoulos. This meeting took place beneath MacGill's restaurant located in Neutral Bay. He later asserted that he was unaware that a full kilogram of cocaine was involved, admitting to purchasing small quantities for personal use.

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Although he was acquitted of participating in a large-scale drug supply, the jury found him guilty of facilitating a chargeable quantity.

“His role was essential to bring the parties together and for the transaction to occur,” stated Judge Nicole Noman during sentencing.

The repercussions did not end there. Merely days after the drug deal, MacGill was dramatically kidnapped. He was forcibly taken into a vehicle, transported to an abandoned location in western Sydney, stripped, assaulted, and later abandoned. Six individuals are currently facing trial related to this incident.

“The offender's colossal lapse of judgment has been causative of a very public fall from grace,” the judge remarked.

Support from Steve Waugh

In his sentencing submissions, former Australian captain Steve Waugh submitted a letter endorsing MacGill's character and his ability to make a comeback.

“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,” Waugh wrote.

MacGill played for Australia from 1988 to 2008, often overshadowed by Shane Warne. Throughout his career, he participated in 47 international matches, claiming 214 wickets.