Dean Laidley gets bail after allegedly sending aggressive messages

Mr Laidley wore a black long-sleeved top as well as a protective mask and gloves but took those off during the hearing.

The AFL Players Association is to pay the costs for Mr Laidley’s treatment, the court was told.

Mr Gilligan ruled it was appropriate Mr Laidley be treated for his problems, and that his time at the clinic would ameliorate the risks of his release. Awaiting a possible trial while in custody would mean a wait of up to three years, the magistrate said.

“No doubt the applicant’s short time in custody … has come as a sobering experience to him,” he said.

Police raised concerns that the clinic was not secure, however Jackson Oppy, the general manager, said the facility used motion sensor cameras, and would alert police if Mr Laidley left without permission.

Earlier, the court was told that during a police search after his recent arrest, Mr Laidley was allegedly found in possession of 0.43 grams of a substance police believe is methamphetamine and investigators found he was concealing the drugs in a bra he was wearing.

A group of high-profile AFL figures, including former coaches Denis Pagan, Guy McKenna and Mark Williams, have written character references for the former North player and coach, along with former North Melbourne players Wayne Schwass and Brent Harvey and the club’s former chairman, James Brayshaw.

Tim Harrington, another former North player who now works with the AFL Players Association, is another character referee.

Senior Constable James Maddock told the court that between April 4 and May 2, Mr Laidley tried to contact the woman more than 100 times in phone calls, emails and text messages.

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He also took photographs of her home and her car, and contacted the woman’s body corporate in an attempt to obtain CCTV footage.

Senior Constable Maddock that during this period Mr Laidley was verbally abusive and aggressive, called her a ‘‘slut’’ and a ‘‘c—’’ and at one point said, ‘‘I am going to ram you with the car when you leave.’’

He is also accused of sending her a distressing photograph of himself and told her she had driven him to consider suicide.

His lawyers dispute allegations he was aggressive.

Defence counsel Philip Dunn, QC, said that Mr Laidley and the woman were involved in a financial dispute.

Details of the alleged financial dispute cannot be reported for legal reasons.

Mr Dunn urged Mr Gilligan to grant bail so that Mr Laidley could attend a private hospital and get treatment for his problems. The former coach would have no access to a phone or computer during his stay, and be drug tested twice a week.

‘‘Mr Laidley is not a bad man, he is just a man who has lost his way,’’ Mr Dunn said.

‘‘He needs to be helped and he’s prepared to take that help.’’ Mr Dunn said his client was lucky to have been protected by the AFL ‘‘bubble’’ for 30 years, which gave him support and structure. But once that part of his life ended, his emotional and mental health problems surfaced.

Mr Laidley was a player with West Coast and North and then senior coach of the Kangaroos. He also had stints as an assistant coach at other AFL clubs.

Police opposed bail over concerns about Mr Laidley’s escalating and dangerous alleged offending, which had let the woman fearful for her safety.

Senior Constable Maddock said Mr Laidley had ‘‘bombarded’’ the woman with calls, texts and emails, and that they were abusive and aggressive. The court heard Mr Laidley and the woman were permitted to discuss the financial arrangement, but Mr Laidley often focused on the woman’s personal situation.

Mr Laidley, of Moonee Ponds, is due to return to court on June 9.

Outside court, Mr Dunn said his client was ashamed of some of his behaviour but focused on addressing his mental health. It was too early to say how he would plead.

Asked about Mr Laidley’s reaction to the release of the photographs of him in the police station, Mr Dunn said, “He’s devastated, as is his family.”

Four police officers have been suspended, and could face charges, over taking and distributing the pictures.

The photographs, which showed him wearing a wig and make-up while being interviewed, were spread across social media and published by some news outlets.

The Age has viewed the photographs of Mr Laidley and decided not to publish them.

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