Latest news with #Speirs'
MTV Lebanon
24-04-2025
- Politics
- MTV Lebanon
24 Apr 2025 16:32 PM Australian Politician Fined for Supplying Cocaine
An Australian politician has been convicted of supplying drugs after he initially dismissed a video showing him snorting a white substance as a "deepfake". Former South Australian Liberal party leader David Speirs was fined A$9,000 (£4311; $5,720) and ordered to complete 37.5 hours of community service by an Adelaide court on Thursday. Speirs was arrested in September after footage of him snorting off a plate was published by News Corp. He initially denied wrongdoing and reportedly told the news outlet it was a "deepfake" and that he had never used cocaine. However, he later admitted that was a lie and the ensuing scandal and charges led to his resignation from parliament. Last month, Speirs pleaded guilty to supplying cocaine to two men in August. Speirs' defence said he used drugs "as a form of escapism" from the stress of his work, but the offences did not occur in a work capacity. The case had sparked intense media scrutiny, with prosecutors arguing that it was in the public's interest given Speirs' senior position in politics. His lawyer had previously asked the court not to record the conviction so his client could travel overseas, but the magistrate said the offences were "too serious". "The need for public denunciation for this type of offending and the need for general deterrence is too great to refrain from recording a conviction," magistrate Brian Nitschke said on Thursday. Nitschke acknowledged Speirs' defence that the offences occurred during a time of stress but added it was "certainly no excuse". Speirs stepped into the role of South Australia's Liberal leader in 2022 and had served 10 years as a member of parliament. He did not speak to media after his sentencing.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Australian politician fined for supplying cocaine
An Australian politician has been convicted of supplying drugs after he initially dismissed a video showing him snorting a white substance as a "deepfake". Former South Australian Liberal party leader David Speirs was fined A$9,000 (£4311; $5,720) and ordered to complete 37.5 hours of community service by an Adelaide court on Thursday. Speirs was arrested in September after footage of him snorting off a plate was published by News Corp. He initially denied wrongdoing and reportedly told the news outlet it was a "deepfake" and that he had never used cocaine. However, he later admitted that was a lie and the ensuing scandal and charges led to his resignation from parliament. Last month, Speirs pleaded guilty to supplying cocaine to two men in August. Speirs' defence said he used drugs "as a form of escapism" from the stress of his work, but the offences did not occur in a work capacity. The case had sparked intense media scrutiny, with prosecutors arguing that it was in the public's interest given Speirs' senior position in politics. His lawyer had previously asked the court not to record the conviction so his client could travel overseas, but the magistrate said the offences were "too serious". "The need for public denunciation for this type of offending and the need for general deterrence is too great to refrain from recording a conviction," magistrate Brian Nitschke said on Thursday. Nitschke acknowledged Speirs' defence that the offences occurred during a time of stress but added it was "certainly no excuse". Speirs stepped into the role of South Australia's Liberal leader in 2022 and had served 10 years as a member of parliament. He did not speak to media after his sentencing. How will Australia choose its next prime minister? Australia opposition leader clarifies he believes in climate change after debate
BBC News
24-04-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
David Speirs: Australian politician fined for supplying cocaine
An Australian politician has been convicted of supplying drugs after he initially dismissed a video showing him snorting a white substance as a "deepfake".Former South Australian Liberal party leader David Speirs was fined A$9,000 (£4311; $5,720) and ordered to complete 37.5 hours of community service by an Adelaide court on was arrested in September after footage of him snorting off a plate was published by News Corp. He initially denied wrongdoing and reportedly told the news outlet it was a "deepfake" and that he had never used he later admitted that was a lie and the ensuing scandal and charges led to his resignation from parliament. Last month, Speirs pleaded guilty to supplying cocaine to two men in defence said he used drugs "as a form of escapism" from the stress of his work, but the offences did not occur in a work case had sparked intense media scrutiny, with prosecutors arguing that it was in the public's interest given Speirs' senior position in lawyer had previously asked the court not to record the conviction so his client could travel overseas, but the magistrate said the offences were "too serious"."The need for public denunciation for this type of offending and the need for general deterrence is too great to refrain from recording a conviction," magistrate Brian Nitschke said on acknowledged Speirs' defence that the offences occurred during a time of stress but added it was "certainly no excuse".Speirs stepped into the role of South Australia's Liberal leader in 2022 and had served 10 years as a member of did not speak to media after his sentencing.
News.com.au
23-04-2025
- Politics
- News.com.au
David James Speirs to face sentence at Adelaide court for cocaine supply shame
The former leader of South Australia's Liberal Party will be sentenced at court today for the drug supply shame that has rocked state politics. David James Speirs has admitted to supplying cocaine to two young men in illicit late-night and early morning 'catch-ups' on two occasions at his southern Adelaide home in August last year. Magistrate Brian Nitschke will impose his sentence at 10am and the central issue will be whether or not a conviction for the offence is recorded against Speirs. Speirs, a Scottish immigrant to Australia, has family in Britain and the US, and a conviction could potentially block his ability to travel overseas. Director of Public Prosecutions Martin Hinton KC has argued a conviction is 'essential' and said Speirs' former position as a member of parliament demanded stern denunciation from the courts. 'You cannot put yourself up for public office, accept public office, hold public office and then expect you will not be held to the standards that go with public office,' Mr Hinton said at a hearing before Mr Nitschke on April 11. The offending took place during the final days of Speirs' period as opposition leader, which he took up in 2022 following Labor's victory in the state election. Defence lawyer William Mickan, speaking for Speirs, argued for a good behaviour bond. Speirs, 40, supplied the drug to Peter Zubic and Andrew Sampson, both aged 28, after the trio met by chance at a cafe on Jetty Road in the beachside suburb of Brighton. 'Zubic went to Speirs' house on Friday, August 2, 2024, with Sampson … while at the home address of Speirs, Speirs produced a rock of cocaine, crushed it on the bench top in the kitchen and Speirs snorted it using a rolled-up note,' court documents, seen by NewsWire, state. The trio met again one week later at Speirs' house about 5am and used cocaine and alcohol. Speirs' arrest and appearances in court followed the release of footage on September 9 that appeared to show him snorting a white powder substance at his home. When allegations of drug offending blew up in public, Speirs left for a holiday in Bali, and the police arrested him upon his return on September 26. A search of his Adelaide home uncovered small plastic resealable bag containing a white powdery residue, a rolled-up $20 banknote, a Qantas card with white powdery residue on it, rolled-up foreign currency, a rolled-up USD$1 banknote, rolled up $5 banknote, and a hand-rolled cigarette containing suspected cannabis. The case sent shockwaves through South Australian politics, with Premier Peter Malinauskas describing it as 'all a bit breathtaking'. Speirs initially denied the veracity of the footage, claiming it was a 'deep-fake', and denied ever having used drugs. He pleaded guilty to the charges in March.
West Australian
23-04-2025
- Politics
- West Australian
David James Speirs to face sentence at Adelaide court for cocaine supply shame
The former leader of South Australia's Liberal Party will be sentenced at court today for the drug supply shame that has rocked state politics. David James Speirs has admitted to supplying cocaine to two young men in illicit late-night and early morning 'catch-ups' on two occasions at his southern Adelaide home in August last year. Magistrate Brian Nitschke will impose his sentence at 10am and the central issue will be whether or not a conviction for the offence is recorded against Speirs. Speirs, a Scottish immigrant to Australia, has family in Britain and the US, and a conviction could potentially block his ability to travel overseas. Director of Public Prosecutions Martin Hinton KC has argued a conviction is 'essential' and said Speirs' former position as a member of parliament demanded stern denunciation from the courts. 'You cannot put yourself up for public office, accept public office, hold public office and then expect you will not be held to the standards that go with public office,' Mr Hinton said at a hearing before Mr Nitschke on April 11. The offending took place during the final days of Speirs' period as opposition leader, which he took up in 2022 following Labor's victory in the state election. Defence lawyer William Mickan, speaking for Speirs, argued for a good behaviour bond. Speirs, 40, supplied the drug to Peter Zubic and Andrew Sampson, both aged 28, after the trio met by chance at a cafe on Jetty Road in the beachside suburb of Brighton. 'Zubic went to Speirs' house on Friday, August 2, 2024, with Sampson … while at the home address of Speirs, Speirs produced a rock of cocaine, crushed it on the bench top in the kitchen and Speirs snorted it using a rolled-up note,' court documents, seen by NewsWire, state. The trio met again one week later at Speirs' house about 5am and used cocaine and alcohol. Speirs' arrest and appearances in court followed the release of footage on September 9 that appeared to show him snorting a white powder substance at his home. When allegations of drug offending blew up in public, Speirs left for a holiday in Bali, and the police arrested him upon his return on September 26. A search of his Adelaide home uncovered small plastic resealable bag containing a white powdery residue, a rolled-up $20 banknote, a Qantas card with white powdery residue on it, rolled-up foreign currency, a rolled-up USD$1 banknote, rolled up $5 banknote, and a hand-rolled cigarette containing suspected cannabis. The case sent shockwaves through South Australian politics, with Premier Peter Malinauskas describing it as 'all a bit breathtaking'. Speirs initially denied the veracity of the footage, claiming it was a 'deep-fake', and denied ever having used drugs. He pleaded guilty to the charges in March. Vincent Tarzia has since replaced Speirs as the leader of the embattled Liberals.
