The Kiwi midfielder appeared earlier than the native court docket of New South Wales in Sydney on Wednesday to be sentenced for his position in one in all Australia’s greatest sports activities corruption scandals.
He appeared alongside his former Macarthur FC teammate Kearyn Baccus, who was additionally ensnared within the “yellow-card manipulation racket”, allegedly orchestrated by the workforce’s former captain Ulises Davila.
Lewis and Baccus every pleaded responsible to 1 cost of participating in conduct that corrupted a betting consequence in July, and have been as a consequence of be sentenced on Wednesday.
Nonetheless, after listening to prolonged submissions from Lewis’ attorneys, Justice of the Peace Michael Blair adjourned the listening to till subsequent Wednesday, when he’ll hand down his sentence.
Lewis’ authorized representatives, Zemarai Khatiz and Gabrielle Bashir, are in search of a group launch order of two years, and {that a} conviction not be entered.
Bashir submitted to the court docket Lewis’ ethical culpability was on the decrease finish, because the 28-year-old was “focused and exploited” as a result of he was a identified playing addict.
She added there was a transparent energy imbalance between Davila, his former captain, and Lewis.
“Not solely was he focused, he was requested to do it by somebody who was ready of energy and affect over him.”
The court docket heard Lewis has since been identified with a playing habit and is present process remedy.
Davila, the workforce’s captain and alleged “level man” for a South American crime determine, is but to enter a plea on the 9 prices he faces, and is because of reappear earlier than the court docket later this month.
The court docket additionally heard Lewis has suffered from severe psychological well being impacts following his arrest in Might final yr.
Bashir informed the court docket her shopper has been identified with melancholy and PTSD on account of his arrest, when “police in tactical gear stormed his house whereas he and his companion slept”.
“Not solely was that house stormed, there may be a picture that went all world wide of him being cuffed and searched.”
She added Lewis had already suffered vital punishment.
“He has carried the scorn of the nation. It would indelibly observe him for the remainder of his life.”
The crown is in search of a group correction order for each Lewis and Baccus, and requested the Justice of the Peace to contemplate “what message it will ship to the soccer group” if convictions for the offending weren’t entered.
