Latest news with #PortMelbourne
News.com.au
07-08-2025
- News.com.au
Simon Lara: Notorious ‘fake seizure guy' handed community order for beach act
A 'notorious' man known for faking seizures in public places and asking strangers to sit on him has issued an apology, saying he had no idea of the impact of his actions on a man. Simon Lara, 43, appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday, after pleading guilty to a single charge of public nuisance. Lara had initially been facing a second charge of sexual assault by compelled sexual touching, however the court was told this had been withdrawn. The charge related to an incident on the Bay Trail at Sandridge Beach in Port Melbourne on February 3, 2025. In a statement, the man affected by Lara's actions said the incident had left him feeling shame and humiliation. He told the court he'd moved to Melbourne three years prior from Brisbane and was unfamiliar with 'fake seizure guy' until he'd conducted online research following the beach incident. 'After speaking with friends I was laughed at and ridiculed, they couldn't believe I had never heard of this guy before,' he said. 'Since this incident I am less inclined to help people in public … I'm not willing to assist anyone in public who appears to be distressed or needs help.' The man said he no longer visited the beachfront out of fear of running into Lara or other passers-by who, at the time, thought he was assaulting Lara. Responding to the statement, Lara's lawyer Jamie Bridgland said her client was 'shocked about the significant impact this had on the victim'. 'He is extremely remorseful and wanted to pass onto the victim he is regretful and sorry,' she said. Ms Bridgland noted Lara had 'quite significant vulnerabilities' and had received threats and abuse following online commentary about his actions. Lara was sentenced to an 18-month community corrections order with treatment for his complex mental health needs and judicial monitoring. Handing down the sentence, Magistrate William Parker said he took into account Lara's 'extremely traumatic background' and diagnoses including autism, anxiety and OCD. But Mr Parker noted Lara had a 'poor history' and the offending represented him taking advantage of a good Samaritan just walking in public. 'The purpose of this CCO (community corrections order) and justice plan is so we can break this cycle of you returning to back to court,' he said. 'This is the best chance to move forward.' In Court, Lara said he wanted the prosecution to pass onto the person affected his apologies and that he had 'no idea' of the impact from his actions. 'I'm very shocked … if they want to continue to go to the beach, I'm not going to go there,' he said. Mr Parker responded saying he'd taken those comments as a sincere sign of remorse. 'What would give me great comfort is just don't do it again,' he said.
Daily Mail
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
See the photos that prove footy legend James Hird and his wife have their priorities right after shock marriage split
Tania Hird has proved her split with her husband James is an amicable one by having a great day out as the footy icon's new team held a ladies' day recently. The former Essendon star and coach is now director of coaching with the Port Melbourne club, where his son Tom plays - and despite their marriage falling apart, Tania was on hand to cheer on the Borough last weekend. She posted photos of her outing to Instagram along with the caption: 'A stunning Ladies Day at Port Melbourne Football Club with terrific company and warm, woollen @hairflairaus scarves,' referring to her accessories business. Tania's photos showed her cheering the players onto the ground, with one appearing to reach out to high-five her, along with a close-up of a smiling Tom taking to the field. The heartwarming post comes after James Hird's decision to get involved with Port was rumoured to be the source of some tension between him and Tania before they split. One of footy's foremost power couples, the Hirds announced the end of their 27-year marriage back in January. The Bombers legend and Tania were together through his highs as arguably the game's best player at the peak of his on-field career, to the shattering lows brought on by the Essendon drugs scandal, which broke in 2013. Incredibly, the couple - who have four children together - reportedly managed to keep their split a secret for more than a year. Shortly after their news became public, a family friend revealed to Daily Mail Australia that Hird told his friends there was no infidelity involved in the decision to go their separate ways - and that he still treasures Tania. 'He is telling friends that he will always love Tania,' the source revealed. 'James thinks she has done an amazing job of raising their kids. 'Neither one of them has cheated, there's no third party involved, but after 27 years they've simply grown apart.' Another source with ties to the Hird family said the couple were eager to keep their parting of the ways out of the spotlight until all of their children - Stephanie, Tom, Alex and William - had finished school. That source also maintained there was some tension between James and Tania over his interest in returning to the footy world as he was tied to a coaching position with Port Melbourne last year. Earlier this week, Hird opened up about his surprise move with Port. 'They've been good to Tom and I felt like I could make a difference here. To do something with your son is very special,' he told News Corp. 'This is a journey in itself, being part of Port Melbourne Football Club and trying to create a good football program where we can have some success and teach and help players learn. That's the sole purpose of doing it.' Hird says he's not thinking about coaching in the AFL after returning to commentary with Channel Nine.
Daily Mail
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Footy legend James Hird opens up about shock career move that was rumoured to have played a role in his marriage split
Essendon great James Hird has opened up about his surprise move back into coaching - a decision that is rumoured to have played a part in the breakdown of his marriage. The AFL Hall of Famer and his wife Tania quietly separated over a year ago, ending a 27-year marriage that began in 1997 and spanned both triumph and turmoil at Essendon. The former couple's high-profile standing made their ability to keep the split a secret for so long all the more surprising. Hird, now 52, moved out of their Toorak family home, choosing to focus on his mental health and career away from the public eye. A source with ties to the family said there were tensions between the couple over Hird's interest in taking a coaching position with Port Melbourne. Hird has been involved with the iconic Victorian club since his son Tom joined the Borough in 2023, and is now the director of coaching under Brendan McCartney. McCartney was one of Hird's assistants at Essendon in 2011 and the pair have a great working relationship. Some have speculated that he took the job as a step to once again reclaiming the Essendon coaching position, but Hird insists he just wants to help the club. 'It's not (about Essendon),' he told News Corp. 'It's to help out Port. They've been good to Tom and I felt like I could make a difference here. To do something with your son is very special. 'This is a journey in itself, being part of Port Melbourne Football Club and trying to create a good football program where we can have some success and teach and help players learn. That's the sole purpose of doing it.' Hird says he's not thinking about coaching in the AFL. 'My focus is working with the boys here,' he said. 'What are we, four wins, one draw and five losses? We've got a lot of work to do to make the most of this year and then how we set ourselves up for next year.' He says the role is rewarding and he's been surprised by how much fun he is having. 'I didn't think I'd enjoy it as much as I am,' he says. 'You realise why you love footy when you're in and around a group of young guys, young people who want to get better, and a group of coaches who also want to get better. 'Everyone says coaching is a stressful job. And it is. But it's also … when you're doing it, you're teaching people how to play and helping them get better … so it's a very rewarding job as well.' Hird's illustrious playing career, which began with Essendon at pick 79 in the 1990 National Draft, reached its peak in 1996 when he shared the Brownlow Medal with Michael Voss. He later claimed the Norm Smith Medal in 2000 and helped deliver a premiership to the Bombers in the same year. His remarkable achievements, including five Best and Fairest medals, secured him a place in the Australian Football Hall of Fame. Off-field, a succession of legal disputes and the devastating supplements saga tested his resilience to the limit.
Daily Mail
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
AFL star Jamarra Ugle-Hagan claims his ute was stolen in startling social media post - but cops know nothing about it
Western Bulldogs star Jamarra Ugle-Hagan's troubled season has suffered another setback, with the 23-year-old alleging that his car has been stolen. The wayward forward, who hasn't played a game this season while dealing with personal issues, posted a story to social media on Monday, appearing to accuse an individual of stealing his vehicle from Bay St in Port Melbourne. 'If you see this fella. Tell him drop my car back off at my house,' he posted. 'Bay Street tax is crazy,' he added, next to laughing emojis. The text was written over a CCTV image of a man wearing sunglasses and a cap, with a Guzman y Gomez advertising board in the background. Ugle-Hagan later posted a photo of a black Toyota HiLux ute. It's understood the car went missing on Monday. There's no suggestion that the allegation against the man is true, just that it was made by Ugle-Hagan. Victoria Police told Daily Mail Australia that they 'couldn't see any car theft incidents at this location' with the details we provided to them, said they couldn't find a record of the alleged theft being reported and asked for help getting the 'victim' to send them details. Ugle-Hagan fronted the Dogs' playing group last week in a move that could open the door for the troubled forward to return to action this year. He also took part in a light training session but could still be weeks away from a possible playing comeback at VFL level. The 2020 No.1 draft pick recently opened up about the dire problems that saw him visit a health retreat in northern NSW in an effort to get his life and career back on track. 'All the noises actually sent me to a rehab facility for my mental health,' Ugle-Hagan told Mitch Robinson and Rhys Mathieson on the Rip Through It podcast. 'It got to a point where I had to give my car to a mate so I couldn't drive, I just didn't trust myself driving. 'There were times when I would think about – to be honest with you – just not even worth even living. 'I went through a struggle where I didn't want to leave the house. I hit rock bottom, and found basement. 'Definitely (there were suicidal thoughts). Suicidal thoughts would come pretty frequently. 'Especially when I felt like I was on my own the whole time. The way I was isolated and put out in public.' The young footy star says the health retreat has changed his life. 'It takes balls to talk in a group but once you do it, it is f**king amazing, it feels good and they have answers for you,' he said. 'You think you are alone and no one understands. 'But when you speak up and hear people's stories it makes you feel so much better hearing people's stories and knowing they're going through the same thing you are.' Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge last week raised the prospect of Ugle-Hagan resuming his 67-game AFL career with the club. Ugle-Hagan says he can't wait to get back on the field. 'I want to play footy. I can't wait to play footy,' he said. 'I want to kick a f**king goal in front of those crowds. 'I have been watching every single Bulldogs game. I have been supporting them, been watching them. 'I will go to games at the end of the year. I genuinely want to play one more (game), I want to play some games. 'It's going to be grouse.' Ugle-Hagan led the Bulldogs with a career-best 43 goals in 22 appearances last year, but has not featured at any level since the elimination final defeat to Hawthorn.
Daily Mail
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
AFL star Jamarra Hugle-Hagan claims his ute was stolen in startling social media post - but cops know nothing about it
Western Bulldogs star Jamarra Ugle-Hagan's troubled season has suffered another setback, with the 23-year-old alleging that his car has been stolen. The wayward forward, who hasn't played a game this season while dealing with personal issues, posted a story to social media on Monday, appearing to accuse an individual of stealing his vehicle from Bay St in Port Melbourne. 'If you see this fella. Tell him drop my car back off at my house,' he posted. 'Bay Street tax is crazy,' he added, next to laughing emojis. The text was written over a CCTV image of a man wearing sunglasses and a cap, with a Guzman y Gomez advertising board in the background. Ugle-Hagan later posted a photo of a black Toyota HiLux ute. It's understood the car went missing on Monday. There's no suggestion that the allegation against the man is true, just that it was made by Ugle-Hagan. Victoria Police told Daily Mail Australia that they 'couldn't see any car theft incidents at this location' with the details we provided to them, said they couldn't find a record of the alleged theft being reported and asked for help getting the 'victim' to send them details. Ugle-Hagan fronted the Dogs' playing group last week in a move that could open the door for the troubled forward to return to action this year. He also took part in a light training session but could still be weeks away from a possible playing comeback at VFL level. The 2020 No.1 draft pick recently opened up about the dire problems that saw him visit a health retreat in northern NSW in an effort to get his life and career back on track. 'All the noises actually sent me to a rehab facility for my mental health,' Ugle-Hagan told Mitch Robinson and Rhys Mathieson on the Rip Through It podcast. 'It got to a point where I had to give my car to a mate so I couldn't drive, I just didn't trust myself driving. 'There were times when I would think about – to be honest with you – just not even worth even living. 'I went through a struggle where I didn't want to leave the house. I hit rock bottom, and found basement. 'Definitely (there were suicidal thoughts). Suicidal thoughts would come pretty frequently. 'Especially when I felt like I was on my own the whole time. The way I was isolated and put out in public.' The young footy star says the health retreat has changed his life. 'It takes balls to talk in a group but once you do it, it is f**king amazing, it feels good and they have answers for you,' he said. 'You think you are alone and no one understands. 'But when you speak up and hear people's stories it makes you feel so much better hearing people's stories and knowing they're going through the same thing you are.' Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge last week raised the prospect of Ugle-Hagan resuming his 67-game AFL career with the club. Ugle-Hagan says he can't wait to get back on the field. 'I want to play footy. I can't wait to play footy,' he said. 'I want to kick a f**king goal in front of those crowds. 'I have been watching every single Bulldogs game. I have been supporting them, been watching them. 'I will go to games at the end of the year. I genuinely want to play one more (game), I want to play some games. 'It's going to be grouse.' Ugle-Hagan led the Bulldogs with a career-best 43 goals in 22 appearances last year, but has not featured at any level since the elimination final defeat to Hawthorn.
