NRL star Nicho Hynes hopes his mother will be able to “reshape her life” in her new “forever” home in Cronulla after narrowly avoiding jail time for heroin supply.
Julie Hynes appeared at Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday where she was given a two year prison sentence to be served in the community for knowingly taking part in the supply 180.7g of heroin.
Hynes was found guilty at trial earlier this year after police uncovered a pill press at her home on the NSW Central Coast.
Another man, Michael William Selvage, was acquitted of the same charge during the trial.
Officers made the alarming discovery while responding to the death of 29-year-old Luke Murphy, who allegedly overdosed from heroin while operating the drug press in Hynes’ bathroom.
Neither Hynes’ or Mr Selwage are accused of responsibility in Mr Murphy’s death.
Judge David Wilson told Downing Centre District Court on Tuesday that Hyne’s role in the operation was “extremely limited”, and that Mr Murphy had established the large pill press while Hynes’ was in Canberra to see her son compete with the Melbourne Storm.
“Hynes had no involvement in bringing the press onto the premise or in pressing the heroin,” he said.
“Her liability in taking part in the manufacturer of heroin only arises because Mr Murphy chose, without consulting Hynes, to establish the press in the bathroom of the premises she occupied.
“I accept Hynes was unhappy with that.”
The court heard that Hynes had woken about 2am that morning, when a number of calls were placed from her phone to Mr Selwage.
Judge Wilson alleged the calls were made by Mr Murphy to procure parts for the press.
In messages to her son, Wade Hynes, Hynes said she had been awake much of the night tending to an undisclosed person the court heard was likely Mr Murphy – who was found in a dire state that morning.
Hynes also later admitted she had hesitated in calling emergency services out of fear that herself and Mr Murphy – who was a long-time friend – could potentially be charged by the authorities.
In sentencing, Judge David Wilson told the court Hynes had a criminal record dating back to 1993, and had been “not entirely frank” in evidence given to the court and in her accounts to clinical psychologist.
“The offender, perhaps undestandly, has a mistrust in authority figures,” Justice Wilson said.
“It seems to me that is the reason she has attempted the downplay her role in this offending.”
She told a clinical psychologist while in custody it was the first time she’d been drug free in 25 years.
Justice Wilson sentenced to two years in prison, to be served in the community.
She will be released to reside at Nicho’s Cronulla home, where she will live in an attached one-bedroom studio.
Hynes’ told Downing Centre court on Monday she would work for her son’s charity upon her release.
She will also continue to pursue her artist interests which she said were reignited while in custody.
Justice Wilson said the “carefully worded” testimonials of Hynes’ two sons had convinced him she was unlikely to reoffend.
“Hynes’ sons have put in place steps that will most likely remove their mother from the offending environment that has been most of her life,” he said.
“Her son, Wade, expressed his genuine belief that this relocation surrounded by loved ones, away from traumas, will reshape the rest of her life.”
Son Nicho Hynes told reporters on Monday he would house his mother “forever”.
“Anything that’s happened is in the past now,” he said outside court.
Hynes was also convicted of possessing 5g of marijuana, but received no penalty.
She will be required to undergo alcohol rehabilitation, and is barred from communicating with Mr Selvage.
