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An Australian politician has been convicted of supplying drugs after he initially dismissed a video showing him snorting a white substance as a “deepfake”.<\/p>\n
Former South Australian Liberal party leader David Speirs was fined A$9,000 (\u00a34311; $5,720) and ordered to complete 37.5 hours of community service by an Adelaide court on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Speirs was arrested in September after footage of him snorting off a plate was published by News Corp. He initially denied wrongdoing and reportedly told the news outlet it was a “deepfake” and that he had never used cocaine.<\/p>\n
However, he later admitted that was a lie and the ensuing scandal and charges led to his resignation from parliament.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Last month, Speirs pleaded guilty to supplying cocaine to two men in August.<\/p>\n
Speirs’ defence said he used drugs “as a form of escapism” from the stress of his work, but the offences did not occur in a work capacity.<\/p>\n
The case had sparked intense media scrutiny, with prosecutors arguing that it was in the public’s interest given Speirs’ senior position in politics.<\/p>\n
His lawyer had previously asked the court not to record the conviction so his client could travel overseas, but the magistrate said the offences were “too serious”.<\/p>\n
“The need for public denunciation for this type of offending and the need for general deterrence is too great to refrain from recording a conviction,” magistrate Brian Nitschke said on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Nitschke acknowledged Speirs’ defence that the offences occurred during a time of stress but added it was “certainly no excuse”.<\/p>\n
Speirs stepped into the role of South Australia’s Liberal leader in 2022 and had served 10 years as a member of parliament.<\/p>\n
He did not speak to media after his sentencing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n