Update:
Ben Cousins has been sentenced to 12 months in jail over drug charges and repeatedly breaching his violence restraining order.
He pleaded guilty to 11 offences including possession of deadly drug methylamphetamine and aggravated stalking of ex-partner and mother of his children, Maylea Tinecheff.
The VRO breaches included him visiting the kids’ school and church and harassing her. Cousins once called Ms Tinecheff 103 times in one day.
When he was arrested, police found 8 grams of meth in his possession.
Ms Tinecheff was reportedly scared for not only her safety, but the safety of their children as she feared he was too unpredictable under the influence.
Earlier:
Notorious bad boy and former AFL star Ben Cousins has reportedly been arrested and charged with drug and family violence charges.
Cousins has been charged with aggravated stalking, seven counts of breaching a violence restraining order and possession of a prohibited drug and smoking utensil.
WA police issued search warrants for residences in Melville and Bicton, with Cousins being arrested when he arrived at the Melville home in a car.
The police allegedly found methylamphetamine inside the car.
During a second search of the Bicton home, police allegedly found more meth and a smoking utensil.
The 28-year-old was fined just $2600 in December for similar drug charges and breaching the VRO taken out by his former partner, Maylea Tinecheff, who Cousins has two small children with.
At the time, Magistrate Stephen Wilson warned Cousins that if he didn’t stick with his treatment program or breached the VRO it could mean a mandatory prison sentence.
Cousins is expected to appear at the Armadale Magistrates Court next Friday.
His battle with drugs came to the forefront of Australian consciousness in 2007 when the young player was suspended from AFL for a year for “bringing the game into disrepute”.
He then returned to the game with Richmond only to retire in 2010, but his public battle with drugs has ensured he is often in the media.
