Gold Coast, Australia - Queensland Reds player Karmichael Hunt was fined A$2 500 ($1 950) on Thursday but had no conviction recorded over cocaine charges that earlier forced his suspension from the Super Rugby team.
The 28-year-old Hunt pleaded guilty on Thursday to four charges of possessing cocaine after purchasing 12.5g of the drug from September 1 to October 3 when he was playing for the Australian Football League's Gold Coast Suns, an Australian rules football team.
Hunt, who has also played in the National Rugby League, bought the drugs from a former professional rugby league player.
The Reds, who signed Hunt to a three-year contract late last year, suspended the fullback on February 20 when the drug investigation was first announced. The Queensland Rugby Union was scheduled to issue a statement later on Thursday on Hunt's status with the team.
Speaking outside court, Hunt said he was relieved with the outcome.
“It's been a difficult couple of weeks for me and my family,” he said. “We're looking forward to putting this process behind us.”
Hunt was assisted by character references from several sports officials, including seven-time NRL premiership coach Wayne Bennett of the Brisbane Broncos.
Hunt's lawyer Alastair McDougall told the court his client had shown genuine remorse by pleading guilty.
“He's suffered enormous economic loss,” McDougall said. “His two young daughters, with a third on the way, must grow up knowing their father has broken the law.”
Earlier, McDougall was forced to deny that Hunt was receiving special treatment by having his charges resolved on Thursday. Normal practice usually sees the charged person return to court at a later date.
Magistrate Catherine Pirie told Hunt's lawyer she couldn't understand why the matter had been rushed into her courtroom.
“Why should this get treated any different?” Pirie asked McDougall.
The same investigation which implicated Hunt also resulted in notices being served to eight current or former members of the Gold Coast Titans NRL team. Two of those players, Beau Falloon and Jamie Dowling, also had their cases initially dealt with on Thursday, but they'll return to court at a later date.
Queensland's Crime and Corruption Commission also issued an arrest warrant for former Titan Steve Michaels, who is playing for Hull in England's Super League competition.
Sapa-AP