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Former AFL star Ben Cousins to spend 12 months in jail

Troubled AFL premiership player Ben Cousins has been jailed for one year and fined $2400 for stalking and drug offences.

Cousins, 38, was sentenced in Perth Magistrates Court on Tuesday, having previously pleaded guilty to 11 offences, including aggravated stalking, breaching a violence restraining order and drug possession.

When the former West Coast captain was arrested last month, police found eight grams of meth in his possession, which his lawyer Michael Tudori told the court would only last him four days.

Ben Cousins will spend a year behind bars. Photo: AAP
Ben Cousins will spend a year behind bars. Photo: AAP

The restraining order was taken out by his former partner Maylea Tinecheff, with whom he has two young children.

The court heard the breaches related to the Brownlow medallist visiting the children's school and church, and making repeated phone calls to his former partner.

Mr Tudori said Ms Tinecheff used the VRO to manipulate the way Cousins could see his children.


Cousins and Judd holding the AFL premiership trophy aloft. Pic: Getty
Cousins and Judd holding the AFL premiership trophy aloft. Pic: Getty

"She uses it when it suits her and when it doesn't she contacts the police," he said.

Magistrate Nicholas Lemmon last month refused his bail, saying the risk of re-offending was significant.

Cousins was suspended from the AFL for one year in 2007 for bringing the game into disrepute.

He made a comeback with Richmond before retiring in 2010 and his troubles have continued in the public eye.