Michael Diamond: Olympic shooting champion charged with firearms offences – and has gun licence suspended
Australian shooter was found driving over the limit with a firearm in his vehicle
Your support helps us to tell the story
Our mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.
Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.
Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.
Louise Thomas
Editor
An Olympic shooting champion has been charged with firearms offences and had his gun licence suspended after he was allegedly found driving under the influence of alcohol with a shotgun in his vehicle.
Michael Constantine Diamond was allegedly involved in a dispute with a family member on Saturday evening, and was interviewed by police around 9:30pm.
He was arrested after refusing to take a breathalyser test.
On searching his vehicle, police found a shotgun with 150 rounds of ammunition.
Reports say Mr Diamond was taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station, where a breathalyser test returned a reading of 0.159 – more than three times the legal limit.
A suspension notice was issued for both his firearms and driving license.
The two-time gold Olympic gold medallist was due to represent Australia at the upcoming Rio Olympics in men’s shooting. He appeared on 7 News on Monday morning, stating that his Olympic career was “absolutely not” over.
He refused to make any further statements relating to the charges, saying “you’ll have to talk to my lawyers”.
Mr Diamond is due to appear before Raymond Terrace Local Court on 7 June 2016, less than one month before the start of the Olympics.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments