A former rugby league star, recently released from prison for his involvement in large-scale cocaine smuggling operations, has avoided a return to custody for separate drug offences committed nearly a decade ago.
Court Appearance After Parole
John Tobin, the 66-year-old former captain of the Sydney Roosters, appeared before Brisbane Supreme Court on Wednesday, where he pleaded guilty to nine drug-related charges dating back to 2014. This court appearance came just months after his release on parole from a New South Wales prison in June last year, where he had served an eight-and-a-half-year sentence for attempting to import 1.4 tonnes of cocaine into Australia.
Details of the 2014 Offences
The court heard that Tobin committed the offences in Queensland between May and October 2014, which included collecting drugs at a BP service station. Police raids on his home uncovered 134 grams of cocaine, equivalent to 220 grams of substance, after authorities intercepted electronic communications from the syndicate leader.
Crown Prosecutor Erin Hanlon described the most serious offence as Tobin agreeing to hold a large quantity of dangerous drugs while his co-offender was overseas. Despite being granted bail for these 2014 charges, Tobin went on to participate in major cocaine smuggling attempts that would eventually lead to his lengthy imprisonment.
Major Smuggling Operations
Tobin's subsequent criminal activities involved two boat trips from Sydney aimed at collecting drugs from container ships and so-called 'narco-submarines' originating from South America. These operations attempted to import up to 500 kilograms of cocaine along with 28 kilograms of heroin.
In December 2016, Tobin and other co-offenders successfully took possession of 500 packages of cocaine during a third attempt. He was arrested on Christmas Day that year when police intercepted the group offloading duffel bags full of drugs at a Sydney harbour boat ramp.
Sentencing and Mitigating Factors
Defence barrister Remy Kurz argued that sending Tobin back to prison would be 'crushing' for him, noting that 'he has certainly served a long sentence and seen the error of his ways.' Justice Rebecca Treston acknowledged Tobin's difficult background, including an abusive childhood and decades-long addiction to alcohol and intravenous drugs.
The judge also noted that Tobin's time in custody was marked by 'severe and persistent bullying' and that, despite difficulties adjusting to community life after release, he had 'demonstrated a genuine attempt to put yourself back onto a different path.'
Suspended Sentence Imposed
Justice Treston sentenced Tobin to four years' imprisonment but immediately and wholly suspended the sentence. She warned that any further offences would result in a return to custody in both New South Wales and Queensland.
Tobin, who played 125 games for the Sydney Roosters during the 1980s, left the court with family and supporters after the hearing. In an interview last year, he described himself as 'just another f***wit on the boat' rather than a ringleader in the smuggling operations, and reflected that 'desperate men do desperate things.'
