A former footballer has been jailed following a crime spree involving a string of thefts, drug possession and driving offences.
Troy Hearfield, 36, was an A-League regular, enjoying stints at Newcastle Jets, Wellington Phoenix and Central Coast Mariners. As a youngster, he represented Australia at U-20 and U-23 levels.
However, he has suffered a heavy downfall culminating in a jail sentence, which was handed to him on Thursday.
The former right back was caught on CCTV wheeling a pram covered with a blanket at Bunnings Bennetts Green, close to Newcastle, on April 21.
Inside the pram was a Makita chainsaw and drill. He paid for some items at the checkout but not the power tools.
A former footballer (left) has been given a 12-month jail sentence for a string of offences
Troy Hearfield played for Central Coast Mariners but has suffered a major downfall
A couple of months later, on July 25, Hearfield was caught on CCTV stealing a bottle of ‘Atomic enhancing pills’ worth $190 from Flirt adult store in Port Macquarie.
He then racked up a number of driving chargers as he left the adult shop, which saw him disqualified from driving, but was seen driving into a hotel car park a week later, and again on September 21 at Sandy Beach.
He was later arrested in relation to outstanding warrants, with officers finding him in possession of a small bag containing 1.35 grams of methylamphetamine.
Hearfield’s lawyer Lachlan Jackson-Porter told Coffs Harbour Local Court the former footballer had already been in custody for a number of weeks and that this was his first time behind bars.
‘It’s quite a shake-up (for him),’ Mr Jackson-Porter said.
He explained that Hearfield has struggled with life since being let go by the Mariners eight years ago for off-field issues, while his father suffered a heart attack in June.
The court also learnt that Hearfield has a job with Transport for NSW lined up, where he would be regularly tested for drugs.
He was convicted of shoplifting, drug possession and a handful of driving offences
He plead guilty to larceny valued at less than $2000, shoplifting, possessing a prohibited drug and three counts of driving a motor vehicle during a disqualification period.
Hearfield was given a 12-month jail term with a non-parole period of seven months, with Magistrate Theresa Hamilton saying he had a persistent pattern of disregarding court orders and ‘his history for disqualified driving is not good at all’.
He will be eligible for release on May 21 next year.
