Racing identity’s medical plea to court

Colourful racing identity and former brothel owner Eddie Hayson has lost a bid to be freed on bail as he faces serious drug supply charges after arguing that he needed to be released to seek urgent medical care.

Mr Hayson on Friday appeared before the NSW Supreme Court for a bail release application after he was arrested and extradited from the Gold Coast earlier this year.

Police have alleged he was involved in a national drug supply ring which used private planes and encrypted devices to supply drugs across the country.

The court heard it is alleged Mr Hayson and another man were involved in transporting 16kgs of methamphetamine and 5kgs of MDMA from Sydney to Perth in August last year.

The court previously heard that the drugs - which had an estimated street value of $5 million - were seized in Western Australia last August however Mr Hayson was not arrested until February this year.

Mr Hayson has been charged with supplying a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug and knowingly directing the activities of a criminal group.

He faced court on Friday via audiovisual link from Silverwater prison as his barrister Arjun Chhabra argued for his release on strict bail conditions, including that he hand over a $500,000 surety, abide by house arrest and wear an electronic monitoring bracelet.

Mr Chhabra told the court that Mr Hayson needed to be released to undergo urgent dental treatment.

“What is plain is that it involves complex reconstruction of the jaw, involving bone work, new arches,” Mr Chhabra said.

He said that Mr Hayson had undergone some dental procedures and more were overdue.

Mr Chhabra argued that he was also having problems walking and needed ankle surgery, telling the court neither procedures could be performed in jail.

However, Crown prosecutor Stephen Makin opposed the application, noting that: “It’s not that he won’t be treated in custody, it’s just unclear when he will be treated.”

He also cited the risk of Mr Hayson fleeing or interfering with witnesses.

“In my view when balanced against the allegations and the strength of the crown case, Mr Hayson has not shown cause why his detention is not justified,” Justice Deborah Sweeney said.

“I’m obliged to refuse his application for bail.”