New details in the police case against Mark ‘Bomber’ Thompson have emerged as drug trafficking allegations against him are aired in court.
Police prosecutor Geoff Adams told Melbourne Magistrates Court that Mr Thompson’s DNA had been found on seized items including 31.9 grams of ice found in a locked metal box within his Port Melbourne home.
On Tuesday the court also heard that Mr Thompson had failed to report to police, as per his bail conditions, three times, with police laying a fresh charge for the contravention.
Instead of penalising him further, the court relaxed his bail conditions from reporting to police three times a week to once a week.
Mark ‘Bomber’ Thompson arrives at court on Tuesday.Credit:AAP
Mr Thompson’s legal team had sought to have Tuesday's proceedings suppressed from publication.
But Magistrate Simon Zebrowski agreed with The Age that there were insufficient grounds.
The premiership coach is facing eight charges including trafficking ecstasy and ice.
His legal team says he will fight the charges.
“It would make no sense for my client to be involved [in drug trafficking],” lawyer Peter Matthews said.
“There is no financial incentive, no financial need.
“The 134 grams were not his.”
Mr Thompson's home, a converted warehouse property in Port Melbourne, was raided on January 5.
Inside, police allege they found an array of illicit substances and drug paraphernalia in areas of the apartment including a security-coded room filled with AFL memorabilia.
Bomber Thompson and Kevin Sheedy with the 1993 premiership cup.Credit:The Age
Substances allegedly found in Mr Thompson's bedroom area included 134.6 grams of MDMA, 5½ Xanax tablets and methamphetamine, as well as two sets of digital scales and a shoe box filled with clear resealable bags.
The trafficable quantity of MDMA is 3 grams.
In a downstairs study area police allege they found 0.1 gram of ice.
In an upstairs mezzanine area, attached to a beam, the Crown said police found a locked magnetic box containing Mr Thompson’s DNA.
Inside they said there was 31.8 grams of ice and four resealable bags containing 1.33 grams of MDMA.
“Again the accused’s DNA was on it,” Sergeant Adams said.
“There was also a single LSD tab and four Xanax tablets.”
Sergeant Adams said the different levels of the apartment could be accessed using internal stairways with a co-accused occupying part of level two at the time of the drug squad raid.
Hand written notes containing large money transactions were also found in a shared dining area.
“There’s a fair bit of money involved no matter which way you turn,” Mr Zebrowski said.
Winning combination: Mark Thompson and Brenton Sanderson.Credit:Justin McManus
The magistrate said he was unable to dismiss the allegations.
“I would’ve thought the trafficable quantity being 3 grams and you have 134 grams then there’s an inference isn’t there … and it’s not a weak inference,” he said.
“It’s for a court to decide, I can’t say the evidence is weak.
“It’s not a case that I could say is weak and has no basis.”
Last month Mr Thompson’s housemate Thomas Windsor, 29, pleaded guilty to trafficking a drug of dependence and possessing equipment for trafficking.
Windsor walked free from the court with an 18 months community corrections order and time already served.
Mr Thompson’s case will return to court in June.
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