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Ben Cousins fined, admits he was lucky to get bail

Ben Cousins shortly after his 2016 arrest on drug charges.

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

Troubled AFL premiership player Ben Cousins concedes he’s “really lucky” to be granted bail after being fined $600 for breaching a violence restraining order.

The VRO relates to Cousins’ former partner Maylea Tinecheff, with whom he has two children aged three and five.

He is only allowed to communicate with Ms Tinecheff via text message about parenting issues, but police saw him come within 10 metres of her on Tuesday.

Cousins, 38, claimed his former partner approached him when he went to her Perth house to drop off a hire car and his children ran out to see him at a nearby park.

But police said the children ran out when their mother opened the door and Cousins took them to the park, so she called police and went to collect her children.

The former West Coast captain was arrested in Canning Vale on Tuesday evening, represented himself in Armadale Magistrates Court on Wednesday and appeared again on Thursday with lawyer Aidan Kraus.

Mr Kraus described the incident as a minor breach but said his client fully understood the seriousness of his situation.

Cousins’ father Bryan sat at the back of the court during proceedings, while the Brownlow medallist appeared agitated and muttered throughout.

The police prosecutor sought to have Cousins’ bail reconsidered but Magistrate Jennifer Hawkins agreed with Mr Kraus that the matter should be dealt with by Cousins’ senior lawyer Michael Tudori at his court appearance next week on separate VRO and drug charges.

Ms Hawkins said given that Cousins had spent two nights in custody, a fine of $600 plus $98.50 in costs was appropriate for this VRO breach.

Ms Hawkins said Cousins had been foolish and put himself in this position.

“I’m trusting that you’ve learnt your lesson,” she said.

Outside court, Mr Kraus said Cousins had encouragement to be on his best behaviour.

“He loves his kids and that was all there was to it,” he said.

Cousins in his playing days. Photo: Getty

Cousins in his playing days. Photo: Getty

Cousins appeared to be waiting for a taxi but instead got into a car with a journalist as fans shouted their support for him from the court car park.

He also allegedly breached his VRO in October when he visited his ex-partner’s house and shouted for his children.

Police allege Ms Tinecheff allowed Cousins inside for 10 minutes because the children were upset, but stayed for more than 30 minutes in the front yard.

He’s scheduled to appear in court over that matter on Tuesday.

Last month, an arrest warrant was issued for Cousins after he failed to appear in court on the original VRO and drug charges, claiming he was unwell.

Cousins was then involved in a crash with a truck in the early hours of the following day and police allegedly found a small amount of meth in his wallet.

The drug addict was suspended from the AFL for one year in 2007 for bringing the game into disrepute.

He made a comeback with Richmond before retiring in 2010 and his troubles have continued under the glare of the public.

-AAP

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