Ben Cousins sentenced to jail

Former Brownlow Medal winner Ben Cousins has been sentenced to one year in jail by a Perth Magistrate today.

Cousins, 38, was found guilty of aggravated stalking, drug and driving offences and will spend a minimum six months in jail before he is eligible for parole.

He has spent the last month in prison after being arrested in February and charged with 11 offences, reports the ABC. 

Cousins’ lawyer tried to argue for him to be sent to a rehabilitation centre instead of jail, but the court denied the request.

He was also fined $2,400 for possessing eight grams of methylamphetamine and a smoking implement and for driving without a licence.

It’s the latest incident in Cousins’ fall from grace, which has seen him battle drug addiction and mental health issues.

The AFL offered to fund his stay in rehab last year after he was arrested on drugs charges and revealed to be homeless, but it never came to fruition.

Read more: AFL angers fans by intervening in Ben Cousins situation

Cousins’ said prior to his arrest, he had been living out of a backpack and sleeping on friends’ couches.

What are your thoughts on this? Have you followed Ben Cousins’ story over the years?