Ex-cricket umpire Darrell Hair guilty of theft

24 October 2017 06:58 pm - 10 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Former umpire Darrell Hair, best known for calling legendary Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan for throwing during a 1995 Boxing Day Test – stole more than $9000 from a bottle shop he was working at in Orange, in central west New South Wales.

The theft occurred from February and April this year and was discovered when CCTV footage caught him taking money from the till and placing it in his pocket.

Magistrate Michael Allen said the charges marked a “monumental fall from grace” for Hair – who officiated in 78 Test matches and 139 one-day internationals.

Hair blamed a gaming addiction for the theft but admitted his responsibility, repaid the money and wrote letters of apology, the magistrate said.

Allen also said Hair was seeking counselling for depression and addiction.

Hair’s solicitor, Andrew Rolfe, dubbed the theft as an “aberration”.

“My client has been in the public eye for many years and this is a bit of a fall for him, to find himself before the court in these circumstances,” Rolfe said.

“This is an aberration in the life of a man who, prior to this, had a lifetime of service to the community and to a sport that he loved.”

A fact sheet tendered to court added that Hair, “stated that he had no excuse for his dishonesty and he had let his gambling get too far out of control during the early months of 2017 and failed to react to the signs that it was out of control”.

Hair was sentenced to a 18-month good behaviour bond but a conviction was not recorded.

Hair, who also umpired domestic cricket in Australia, was a promising young cricketer in his own right, playing grade cricket in Sydney.

But a knee injury prematurely ended his career and saw him take up umpiring.

He also officiated in Test cricket’s first ever forfeit, when Pakistan decided to stop playing in a 2006 Test against England at The Oval.

Hair and fellow umpire Billy Doctrove gave Pakistan a five-run penalty for ball tampering and, after a delay, the incensed Pakistanis refused to go back on the field. (The New Daily)

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Comments - 10

mnsmart Tuesday, 24 October 2017 07:05 PM

He became a disgrace to the sport from the day he called the legendary Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan for throwing during 1995 Boxing Day Test

Anja Tuesday, 24 October 2017 07:46 PM

Karma.. via DM Android App

sujeewa Wednesday, 25 October 2017 07:56 AM

Not only his action affected Murali's morale, he antagonized all Sri Lankans against Australians. What a nice country Australia is - IF NOT for this man. Ditta Dhamma Wedaniya Kamma. Saadu! Saadu!! Saaaaadu!!!

SL Wednesday, 25 October 2017 08:39 AM

Easiest escaping method for white collar robbers are " I do not know,I can not remember,I am depressed,I am on medication "

alex Wednesday, 25 October 2017 11:01 AM

Darell seems to be learning from SL's Duminda

doug Wednesday, 25 October 2017 09:10 AM

i am sure he too money from bookmakers to call Muralli a chucker, he has a history of gambling.

kukula Wednesday, 25 October 2017 09:10 AM

Addiction a good lesson for our own cricket board politicians.

Yaka Wednesday, 25 October 2017 09:53 AM

What goes around come around!

Shukri Wednesday, 25 October 2017 01:24 PM

When a person's heart is full of dirty, he will be punished by god without his knowledge.

southpaw Sunday, 29 October 2017 10:35 AM

Karma is a bitch they say :)

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Ex-cricket umpire Darrell Hair guilty of theft

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