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Ben Cousins acquitted of drug charge, involved in assault in prison

Ben Cousins shortly after his 2016 arrest on drug charges.

Ben Cousins shortly after his 2016 arrest on drug charges. Photo: AAP

Jailed AFL premiership player Ben Cousins has been acquitted of an outstanding methamphetamine possession charge after prosecutors conceded they did not have enough evidence.

Cousins, 38, appeared in Fremantle Magistrates Court on Friday via video link from prison after a hearing set down for June was brought forward.

After the prosecution admitted it did not have enough evidence to convict Cousins, the magistrate had to find the former Eagles captain not guilty of possessing a prohibited drug.

It comes after the Brownlow medallist was involved in a minor assault while behind bars, with his lawyer Michael Tudori telling AAP it had nothing to do with him refusing to take part in a football match, as had been widely reported.

It is understood Cousins was involved in some pushing and shoving in the kitchen but was not seriously injured.

Channel Nine’s Footy Show reported on Thursday that Ben Cousins had been assaulted in prison after declining an offer from inmates to play in a scratch-match.

Mr Tudori said the former West Coast captain was involved in a minor incident but would not disclose details.

He did say it had nothing to do with Cousins refusing to take part in a football match, as had been widely reported.

Cousins is serving a one-year prison sentence after he pleaded guilty to stalking and repeatedly breaching a violence restraining order taken out by his ex-partner Maylea Tinecheff, with whom he has two children.

The VRO breaches stemmed from Cousins visiting his children’s school and church, and calling Ms Tinecheff.

He called her more than 2000 times between October and February.

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