NRL star Nicho Hynes says he will help his mother rebuild her life after she is sentenced for her role in a heroin scheme on the NSW Central Coast.
“Anything that’s happened is in the past now. I really look forward setting her up to do good things in the community and be a better person and be the generous loving person I know she is,” he told Nine News outside Downing Centre court on Monday.
Julie Hynes, 50, will be sentenced on Tuesday. She was found guilty at trial earlier this year of knowingly supplying 180.7g of heroin following the death of 29-year-old Luke Murphy, who allegedly overdosed from heroin while using the drug press in Hynes’ bathroom.
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Neither Hynes or Mr Selvage were accused of being responsible for Mr Murphy’s death.
Julie Hynes has tried to downplay her role in a heroin scheme in court after Mr Murphy’s death led police to unearth drugs and an hydraulic tablet press at the woman’s NSW Central Coast home.
Hynes claimed in Downing Centre court on Monday she was unaware the press was being assembled inside her house overnight by Mr Murphy and friend Michael William Selvage, 59, who was acquitted of drug supply charges at trial.
The 50-year-old mother claimed she had gone to bed earlier that evening due to exhaustion after watching her son compete with the Melbourne Storm in Canberra days prior, despite the court learning she’d made multiple calls and texts that night.
“[Hynes] is regrettably – and for no good reason – not helping herself,” Judge David Wilson said.
“It is obvious from the text messages and telephone calls that she was awake at 2am and at 5am.”
The Crown told the court it was impossible Hynes’ was “completely unaware” of the press’ assembly during the night, as she claimed.
According to Hynes’ version of the events, the Blackwall mother woke at about 7am, before discovering the drug press in her bathroom.
Hynes’ claimed to have been outraged by the discovery, and after returning from getting breakfast found Mr Murphy in a concerning state.
Rather than calling police, Hynes called friend Gregory Flanders for help, who himself later called emergency services.
Hynes admitted in court she had been hesitant to call emergency services because of press.
“You didn’t want to get Murphy – or yourself – in trouble, and you did your best to cover it up,” lawyer Murray asked Hynes’.
“You have known Murphy since he was nine playing footy, you were very fond of him.”
Neither Hynes or Mr Selvage were accused of being responsible for Mr Murphy’s death.
In sentencing, Justice Wilson admitted Hynes’ role in the drug operation was “very narrow”.
“I expect that the press was set up before she returned from Canberra,” Justice Wilson said.
“It was mostly the deceased and Mr Selvage who were allegedly engaged in the pressing of the drugs.”
Hynes’ told the court if she could “do things differently, I would”, but failed to show insight into her offending.
Justice Wilson said psychological reports tendered to court showed Hynes had a deep fear of authority.
She told the court that, if released, she would live with her football star sun in Cronulla, where he plays with the Cronulla Sharks.
Nicho Hynes was present in court to support his mother, and offered to give her work at his charity foundation, the court heard.
She also claimed to be pursuing Aboriginal art having been contacted by an interested buyer while in custody.
Justice Wilson adjourned Hynes’ sentencing owing the discrepancies in her evidence.
She was also found guilty of a related charge of possessing 5g of marijuana.