AFL star gives character testimony for drug dealer who has pleaded guilty to trafficking charges
- AFL star Brandon Ellis gave friend Cassius Canfield a character reference
- Ellis phoned in via video link to speak in the Melbourne Magistrates' court
- Canfield was caught with cannabis, heroin and cocaine as well as hydroponics
- The 30-year-old pleaded guilty to cultivating and trafficking cannabis
Gold Coast Suns star Brandon Ellis has given character testimony in court on behalf of a friend who pleaded guilty to major drug offences.
Ellis, a two-time premiership winner with Richmond before joining the Suns, gave testimony on behalf of Cassius Canfield via mobile phone to the County Court in Victoria on Wednesday.
The 30-year-old Canfield had pleaded guilty to cultivating and trafficking cannabis following a raid on his rented house in the eastern Melbourne suburb of East Keilor on Feb. 27 which turned up eight plants growing under a hydroponic arrangement in the garage.
Cassius Canfield (pictures) has pleaded guilty to cultivating and trafficking cannabis
He had a further six plants in an East Keilor factory.
Police also found almost 3kg of harvested and loose cannabis, over 60 grams of speed as well as heroin, cocaine, $12,650 in cash, mobile phones and other drug paraphernalia.
It was not stated in court how Ellis and Canfield knew each other but Cahill referred to the Suns wingman as 'another friend'.
Canfield was released on bail, pending sentencing on July 2.
AFL Star Brandon Ellis (left) appeared via video link to give his friend, Canfield, a character reference
Brandon Ellis, Gold Coast Suns Defender, appeared via a mobile phone in Melbourne Magistrates' court
It was never mentioned how Ellis knew Canfield, being described only as a friend
It was not the first time Ellis had given character testimony in a trial.
In 2018 while still at Richmond, Ellis spoke up for a friend who allegedly 'brutally bashed a disability pensioner in a violent armed robbery'.
Omar Benhaddou was charged with armed robbery and false imprisonment and released from custody after a glowing statement from his childhood friend.
Omar Benhaddou (left) and Brandon Ellis (right) grew up together in Carlton north
Benhaddou posted this picture to his facebook just days after his attack
The Supreme Court judge took into account the character reference given by Ellis which praised his 'honesty, loyalty, discipline and respect'.
Benhaddou's victim, Mr Mckay was shocked to hear the AFL star had backed his attacker, and was traumatized and afraid to leave the house.
