Star fights drug charge: `My drink was spiked'
Stapleton, John. The Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 28 Apr 2008: 3.
Show highlighting
Abstract
"I will strongly, strongly fight these charges to the end," he told Seven News last night. "I have never used it and I don't use it."
"The predicament he is currently facing is totally out of character for him," Mr [Anthony Fitzgerald] said. "[Todd McKenney] has the network's full support at this difficult time and we will not make any judgment until all the facts have been presented."
"I've never met anyone as giving or generous with his time as Todd," she said. "He is affiliated with so many charities. This is not what he does. He stays away from bad behaviour. He is just a great guy. He is squeaky clean."
RADIO and television star Todd McKenney says he will vigorously defend himself against drug possession charges after he was found unconscious in a Sydney park and allegedly in possession of the drug fantasy.
The 42-year-old, best known to viewers for his judging role on the Seven Network's Dancing With The Stars, was charged by police after being found in Rushcutters Bay Park, east of the CBD, on Friday afternoon.
Passers-by had allegedly found him unconscious and he was revived by ambulance officers. Police allege he was carrying the drug gamma hydroxybutyrate, known as fantasy or liquid ecstasy.
However, Mr McKenney claimed his drink had been spiked at a nearby Potts Point party the previous evening and he did not realise he was had anything illegal on him. He claims he was "set up".
"I will strongly, strongly fight these charges to the end," he told Seven News last night. "I have never used it and I don't use it."
He said after one drink he felt strange -- "insane collapses of mind" -- and began to panic.
He warned others to be careful, saying if it could happen to someone as "savvy" as him it could happen to anyone.
McKenney's manager of six years, Jayne Ambrose, said McKenney was aware of who spiked his drink, believing it was a person who had been harassing him with his phone camera throughout the previous evening, trying to capture him in a compromising position.
Both his employers -- Seven and the Australian Radio Network -- stood by their star yesterday.
A Seven spokeswoman said the issue was a matter for the courts, while his breakfast radio spot at MIX 106.5FM in Sydney also appeared secure.
General manager of ARN Anthony Fitzgerald described McKenney as "a terrific person" and reassured viewers he would be doing his normal radio spot this morning.
"The predicament he is currently facing is totally out of character for him," Mr Fitzgerald said. "Todd has the network's full support at this difficult time and we will not make any judgment until all the facts have been presented."
Ms Ambrose described McKenney as "squeaky clean".
"I've never met anyone as giving or generous with his time as Todd," she said. "He is affiliated with so many charities. This is not what he does. He stays away from bad behaviour. He is just a great guy. He is squeaky clean."
Paul Dillon, from Drug and Alcohol Research and Training Australia, said GHB commonly came as a liquid, which made it easy to use to spike drinks. He said people who took the drug often reported amnesiac effects. "People who ingest the drug can actually lose hours of time," he said.
No comments:
Post a Comment