Cousins in court accused of trespassing

Fallen AFL player Ben Cousins has appeared in a Perth court charged with causing property damage and trespassing.

Ben Cousins, former West Coast Eagles AFL player.

Fallen AFL star Ben Cousins has appeared in a Perth court charged with trespassing. (AAP)

Disgraced AFL player Ben Cousins has appeared in a Perth court over a bizarre incident in Perth's south-eastern suburbs.

The former West Coast Eagles captain is charged with causing property damage and trespassing related to his odd behaviour in Canning Vale in March, including climbing onto the roof of a two-storey house.

Cousins, 36, was earlier seen driving erratically and taking photographs of a Sikh temple.

He was hospitalised for a mental health assessment after the incident.

Cousins appeared in Armadale Courthouse on Tuesday dressed in a t-shirt and jeans.

The 2005 Brownlow medallist was not required to enter a plea and will appear in court again on June 26.

He is also due to appear in Fremantle Courthouse on Wednesday charged with reckless driving, failing to stop and refusing a breath test, stemming from an earlier incident in March when he allegedly led police on a low-speed chase from Bicton to Mosman Park.

Magistrate Steven Malley previously warned the premiership player that he could face mandatory jail time if convicted of the serious traffic offences.

His legal problems are the latest in Cousins' dramatic fall from grace after a string of off-field incidents and substance abuse problems.

The father-of-two was suspended from the AFL for one year in 2007 for bringing the game into disrepute before making a comeback with Richmond. He retired in 2010.


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Source: AAP


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