Footballer Ben Sharp in court over alleged drugs, hold-up
Andrea Hamblin
Herald Sun
February 04, 2015 6:40AM
A FORMER all-Australian junior footballer and friend of fallen AFL star Ben Cousins has been accused of using guns to hold up a security guard and steal $280,000, as police close in on a suspected ice dealing ring in Melbourne’s west.
Detectives allege they found $6000 in $10 notes hidden in a dishwasher, and a shotgun, at the Point Cook home of former West Coast rookie Ben Sharp.
The 28-year-old was one of 10 people arrested by detectives investigating an armed hold-up at a Sunbury McDonald’s last year.
Police allege Sharp, along with his brother Christopher Sharp, 23, and Nathan Lack, 33, used two motorcycles and a stolen car to ambush an armed guard who had collected money from seven McDonald’s stores in the early hours of December 1.
Police told media they had found M16 and M4 guns at one of the properties during the 7am raids.
Detective Senior-Constable Ross Adams told an out-of-sessions court hearing that police had found cash and a weapon hidden at the Lakeside Drive home where Mr Sharp has lived with his parents since December.
Police also alleged that Mr Sharp stole a car in an aggravated burglary in the same street where his parents lived.
That car was allegedly used in the December hold-up and then set alight later that morning in Little River.
Mr Sharp allegedly told police he had a drug habit of up to $200 per day, but denied drug trafficking or involvement in armed robberies.
Dressed in tracksuit pants and a grey hooded-jumper, he told the court last night he had drug debts and used ice “on, off”.
Mr Sharp was remanded with four other men to appear in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court today.
He has been charged with two counts of armed robbery, aggravated burglary, theft of motor vehicle, firearms offences, traffick commercial quantity of methylamphetamine and other associated offences.
His brother, Christopher, also of Point Cook, was charged with two counts of armed robbery, aggravated burglary, theft of motor vehicle, firearms and other associated offences.
Mr Lack of Tarneit was charged with armed robbery, attempted armed robbery, aggravated burglary, theft of motor vehicle, trafficking a commercial quantity of methylamphetamine, and firearm and other associated offences.
Christopher Iles, 28, and Stephen Iles, 26, both from Point Cook, were both charged with armed robbery.
Another five men were released pending further inquiries.
Ben Sharp was once the friend whom Cousins leaned on for help after he was locked up during a bender in the CBD.