Three men involved in the assault of former Test cricketer Stuart MacGill in a rundown shed will serve their jail sentences within the community. This follows the theft of two kilograms of cocaine.
Back in April 2021, MacGill, who played during one of the golden eras of Australian men’s cricket, was forcibly taken from his residence in Sydney’s upscale lower north shore to the city’s outskirts. There, he endured a beating that resulted in a cut lip.
The cricketer faced additional threats involving garden shears after introducing a drug dealer, referred to as Person A, to another individual who cannot be named for legal reasons. This dealer subsequently disappeared with two blocks of cocaine valued at $660,000.
Today, the court sentenced Richard and Frederick Schaaf, along with Vaeluagaomatagi Feilo, after they admitted to charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm in company, as well as stalking and intimidation.
Initially charged with kidnapping, the three men saw this more serious allegation dropped following a plea agreement reached in August.
MacGill was coaxed into getting into a vehicle with the Schaaf brothers under the assurance from the now 33-year-old Richard that they only wanted to have a conversation and had no intention of harming him.
After picking up Feilo wearing a balaclava and driving the spin bowler 70km to the Bringelly shed, Richard searched him to see if he was wearing a wire before slapping MacGill, causing him to fall down.
“They want me to take your fingers,” he said after Feilo – who is now 23 years old – put the garden shears on the ground.
Richard demanded $150,000 from the former cricketer and took his phone before he and Feilo punched him multiple times in the head.
After the assault stopped, the now 31-year-old Frederick asked if MacGill was OK before handing him back his glasses.
They then drove the cricketer back to Sydney.
Richard Schaaf was sentenced to two years and six months for his violent acts.
Because he had already spent time in jail before being released on bail, he will serve time in the community through an intensive community order of one year and eight months.
He will be required to complete 200 hours of community service.
Judge Phillip Mahony found that the 33-year-old was the “leader” of the group and played the more serious role.Â
However, he had expressed genuine remorse for his actions.
His brother Frederick – who acted as the driver but did not lay any blows on MacGill – was sentenced to a nine-month intensive corrections order for intimidating the cricketer.
This includes 100 hours of community service work.
He was also sentenced to an 11-month community corrections order for being present during the assault.
Feilo was given a sentence of two years and four months after the judge took into account his immaturity as a 19-year-old at the time as well as his remorse shown.
His PTSD also lessened his moral culpability, the judge said.
Taking into account time spent in custody, Feilo will served a 21-month intensive corrections order plus engage in 250 hours of community service work.Â
In September, MacGill was convicted for taking part in a drug supply after introducing Person A to another man.
One brick of cocaine was successfully exchanged for $330,000 in cash less than a week before the drug rip-off.
The cricketer was sentenced to a one-year and 10-month intensive corrections order in May when he was ordered to complete 495 hours of community service work.
