Ben Cousins back in Perth after being arrested over drugs

 

TROUBLED former footballer Ben Cousins has touched down at Perth Airport after being released on bail, following his arrest on serious drugs charges. Cousins stated "I've got nothing to say," as he walked past the waiting media pack in the baggage hall at Perth Domestic Airport this evening. His flight touched down at 9.25pm but there was no one to greet him on arrival and a clearly agitated Cousins walked around the terminal for at least 10 minutes as he waited to be collected. Eventually, he was escorted by four police officers out to the carpark, where it is believed his partner Maylea Tinecheff picked him up. It is believed there may have been a heated confrontation between Cousins and a television journalist and cameraman, who were on the same flight, as they entered the terminal building from the tarmac. Ben Cousins' highs and lows The troubled times of Ben Cousins There were many cheers of support for Cousins from members of the public as he wandered through the airport. Cousins arrested at Esperance Airport Cousins was arrested at 7.15pm last night at the airport by waiting police and was released on bail after being charged with possession of methylamphetamine with intent to sell or supply. He was represented in court by David Grace QC and given bail on the condition he remain in Esperance but it's understood he attempted to return to Perth and was re-arrested by police shortly after. The 33-year-old this afternoon appeared in the Kalgoorlie Magistrates Court at 3.30pm via video link and was again released on bail on a personal undertaking of $2000. Sources have told PerthNow that a few Richmond players had been to visit Cousins in recent months to support him and said he still seemed troubled. The recovering drug addict had been attending a drug rehabilitation centre in Esperance, the Teen Challenge Substance Abuse Recovery and Prevention Centre, for the past month but was seen in Perth on the weekend with his young baby Bobby Ernest and partner Maylea Tinecheff. Teen Challenge director Malcolm Smith refused to comment but a former patient told PerthNow Cousins was unlikely to be kicked out of rehab because drugs were not brought into the centre. Cousins, a Brownlow medalist and WA football legend, has battled drug addiction for years. He was hospitalised in Perth earlier this year after suffering a fall at a drug rehabilitation centre. A witness at Esperance Airport, Dan, who does not want his surname published, told PerthNow he saw Cousins inside the terminal of the airport shortly before he was arrested. He said he saw two men approach Cousins inside the airport near the luggage carousel, shake hands with him, before Cousins walked outside. "He looked really healthy, I actually thought he was a surfer,” Dan said "He looked very fresh.” Dan said he assumed the men he saw go up to Cousins inside the airport were friends of his. "He shook hands with them and he (Cousins) had a friendly smile, like he knew them,” Dan said. "They all seemed like they were friends.” Rob Tate told AFL.com.au he witnessed Cousins get arrested at Esperance Airport. "It wasn't like a big scene or anything like that," he said. "There was (sic) a couple of detectives who turned up in suits. "When the plane landed they just walked over to Ben and grabbed him." Mr Tate said the police then took Cousins into a nearby room, closing the curtains. As part of his bail conditions, Cousins must report to police three times a week and live at a specific residential address, which he nominated as his current home in North Beach. A court spokesman said the nominated police station Cousins must report to is Scarborough. Cousins will reappear in the Perth Magistrates Court on Monday April 2. Possessing more than four grams of methylamphetamine with intent to sell or supply carries a maximum penalty of $100,000 fine and/or 25 years' jail. Possessing between two and four grams with intent to sell or supply carries a maximum penalty of $5000 and/or four years' jail and can be heard by a magistrate.