Greek Australian gold-medalist Michael Diamond charged with harassing brother, hit with AVO

·

Olympic gold-medalist Michael Diamond was handed an apprehended violence order (AVO) after pleading guilty to harassing his brother John, telling him “I’m going to sort you out”.

The Daily Telegraph reports that the relationship between the siblings turned sour after the Olympian called his brother more than 30 times from a private number. Court documents state that the pair had a long ongoing dispute for the past decade.

When his brother John finally picked up, he recognised the voice as his brother Michael and said, “why are you calling and harassing me”?

“Ha ha ha because I want to harass you and there’s nothing you can do about it”, he replied according to police facts.

Brother John Diamond at Raymond Terrace in 2016 when Michael had been charged with drink driving and firearms offences. (AAP Image/Darren Pateman)

John also told police his brother said: “I’m going to get you. I’m going to sort you out”.

But according to police facts he was recording the conversation, which he took to police before his brother was arrested and an apprehended violence order (AVO) taken out against him.

Mr Diamond, of Bolton Point, appeared at Toronto Local Court on Tuesday to face the charge, where his solicitor mentioned there was a dispute between the siblings over final payment of a settlement relating to a family estate.

Read More: Greek-Australian Olympian Michael Diamond selling gold medal for heart transplant funds

Magistrate Andrew Eckhold told the court it was clear there was “bad blood” between the brothers but didn’t excuse his behaviour.

“You can’t engage in this conduct,” Magistrate Eckhold said.

“Such a threat can scare people.”

Mr Diamond was convicted and sentenced to a conditional release order for two years.

Diamond’s career went off the rails in 2016 following an alleged domestic dispute and high-range drink-driving charge. He was then convicted for firearms offences, which carried a ban from holding a gun licence so he missed the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Michael Diamond has previously stated he is of Greek descent, with the shooting champion changing his surname in 1997 from Diamantopoulos to Diamond.

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Latest News

Cyprus Community of NSW dancers prepare to shine at Food and Wine Festival

The Cyprus Community of NSW Dance School will take centre stage as the headline cultural attraction at the Cyprus Food and Wine Festival.

From Print to Pixel: The Greek Herald in the Digital Age

Social media, video journalism and digital publishing now sit beside the physical newspaper at The Greek Herald.

Cultural Infusion CEO Peter Mousaferiadis responds to Pauline Hanson’s recent address

Peter Mousaferiadis has urged Australia to address housing and cost-of-living pressures without blaming migrants.

St George Saints men show fighting spirit despite tough Central Coast challenge

The St George Men's basketball team may have come away without the result they were chasing, but they earned plenty of respect.

Greek Centre seminar to uncover story behind the Haidari 200 photographs

The seminar will examine the recently discovered photographs documenting the final moments of the Haidari 200.

You May Also Like

New Director of Acropolis Museum, Professor Nikolaos Stampolidis, becomes a LEGO figure

Professor Nikolaos Stampolidis, the new Director General of the Acropolis Museum in Athens, Greece, has been immortalised in LEGO.

Athens University welcomes first English 4-year undergraduate program for students from 10 countries

On Wednesday, September 30th 2020, the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) and its School of Philosophy organised the welcoming ceremony for 28...

Greece win first-ever Olympic silver medal in men’s water polo final

After a nail-biting men's water polo final, Greece has claimed its first ever Olympic gold medal after defeating Serbia.