Fallen AFL champion Ben Cousins has pleaded not guilty to a string of new charges, including aggravated stalking, but will remain behind bars in Perth after his bail bid was rejected.
During a minor outburst in Armadale Magistrates Court on Friday, the former West Coast Eagles captain and drug addict said “that’s not fair, Your Honour” as his bail application was refused.
Magistrate Brian Mahon warned Cousins his video link from Hakea prison would be muted if he was not quiet.
Mr Mahon said he was concerned Cousins could offend while on bail.
“I am saddened that you endure such an issue with methamphetamine,” he said.
Cousins, 41, repeatedly said “oh no” and ran his hands through his hair in frustration as Mr Mahon concluded his comments on the bail application.
The premiership player was arrested on Wednesday after allegedly being found with about 2.5 grams of methamphetamine in East Victoria Park.
Police had earlier been searching for a vehicle that was seen driving erratically in nearby Kensington.
Cousins pleaded guilty to the drug offence and was fined $1500.
The Brownlow medallist was also charged with aggravated stalking and 13 counts of breaching a violence restraining order between April 2 and 15.
He pleaded not guilty to those charges, which relate to his ex-partner Maylea Tinecheff, whom he allegedly tried to contact via phone calls and text messages more than 100 times.
Cousins’ lawyer Michael Tudori previously told the court those charges were different to the ones Cousins previously spent almost one year in jail for, as there were no threats involved.
Mr Tudori said Cousins had been spending time with his children under a parenting plan, but less than one month before the alleged offending, she ceased all communication.
It came after Cousins participated in a paid TV documentary about his family, substance abuse and time in jail.
Mr Tudori said whenever Cousins faced a crisis he would turn to drugs for comfort, as it was the way he “deals with stresses in his life”.
The lawyer told the court on Friday that although he could not currently present a signed copy of the parenting plan, it had been signed in September and would be part of the trial.
Cousins will face a two-day trial starting on October 28.