SwayBlog

A former ABC presenter has been assaulted in prison and subjected to homophobic slurs after he was charged with supplying a cornucopia of drugs worth more than $600,000, a court has been told.

Police allege Ashley Norman Hall used rooms at hotels on Wentworth St and Bond St in Sydney’s CBD to supply large quantities of cocaine, meth, MDMA and GHB to buyers.

He was arrested on December 7, 2022 during a police raid which allegedly uncovered $600,000 worth of drugs in two hotel rooms.

Officers allegedly seized 500 MDMA tablets, 100g of cocaine, 3.2kg of 1,4-butanediol, 700g of methamphetamine, more than a 1kg of cannabis, and more than $70,000 cash.

The 52-year-old was charged with 23 charges related to supplying drugs and dealing with the proceeds of a crime.

The charges include eight allegations the former ABC radio host supplied a commercial quantity or greater of a particular drug.

On Monday, Mr Hall appeared in Sydney Downing Centre Local Court via audiovisual link to make a desperate bid for bail after spending three months behind bars on remand.

He wore his prison greens and concerned expression when he beamed into the courtroom from jail.

His lawyer Sharon Ramsden told the court that Mr Hall had a “significant need for medical treatment” that was not being addressed in custody.

The court heard he had been suffering from a hernia since 2016 but has been unable to secure an operation until recently.

Ms Ramsden said the ex-ABC journalist had a procedure booked on March 11, but it was “very unlikely” to proceed if he was not granted bail.

The court heard he also had a heart condition which required regular medication and sleep apnoea.

“He suffered a physical assault as a result of that condition,” Ms Ramsden said.

The Burwood resident was attacked with a thong by another inmate because of his snoring, the court was told.

Magistrate Greg Grogin said Mr Hall’s affidavit tendered to the court claimed he had been subjected to persistent homophobic “vilification” because of his sexuality.

In addition, the court heard he had also borne witness to “a horrific assault in jail”.

Mr Grogin noted the prominent radio host had already spent time behind bars for a previous conviction “for the exact same offence”.

“He was well and truly aware of what any subsequent drug activity would entail,” the magistrate said.

Hall was in 2021 convicted of two counts of supplying a prohibited drug and four counts of drug possession, charges he had pleaded guilty to.

The Crown prosecutor opposed bail, pointing to video and audio recordings of some of the alleged acts of supply and Mr Hall’s alleged “element of criminal sophistication”.

Mr Grogin agreed there was an unacceptable risk that the former ABC stalwart would endanger the community, interfere with witnesses or commit a further offence.

“The offences which he’s been charged with are extremely serious because they carry a term of imprisonment of life,” he said.

“The community needs to be protected from people who are willing to sell drugs for profit.”

He denied bail but made a direction for Mr Hall to get the medical care he needs in custody.

Before his alleged foray into drugs, the 52-year-old was a prominent figure on ABC Radio.

He featured as the presenter of the broadcaster’s current affairs, AM, PM, and The World Today programs over his tenure.

Mr Hall also previously served as the executive producer of ABC radio’s flagship program, AM.

The journalist no longer works for the national broadcaster.

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