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Three men involved in the assault of former Test cricketer Stuart MacGill, which took place in a deteriorating shed following the theft of two kilograms of cocaine, are set to serve their sentences in the community.
In an incident dating back to April 2021, MacGill, a figure from Australia’s golden era of cricket, was forcibly taken from his residence in Sydney’s upscale lower north shore. He was driven to the outskirts of the city, where he suffered a beating that left him with a cut lip.
The assault escalated when MacGill was threatened with garden shears. This frightening ordeal was linked to a drug dealer, referred to as Person A, whom MacGill had introduced to another individual. The dealer absconded with cocaine valued at $660,000.
Today, brothers Richard and Frederick Schaaf, along with Vaeluagaomatagi Feilo, were sentenced after admitting to charges of assault causing actual bodily harm in company, as well as stalking and intimidation.
As part of a plea agreement reached in August, a more severe charge of kidnapping was dropped against the trio.
MacGill was lured into a car with the Schaaf brothers after the now 33-year-old Richard told him they didn’t want to hurt him and just wanted to talk.
After picking up Feilo wearing a balaclava and driving the spin bowler 70km to the Bringelly shed, Richard searched him to see if he was wearing a wire before slapping MacGill, causing him to fall down.
“They want me to take your fingers,” he said after Feilo – who is now 23 years old – put the garden shears on the ground.
Richard demanded $150,000 from the former cricketer and took his phone before he and Feilo punched him multiple times in the head.
After the assault stopped, the now 31-year-old Frederick asked if MacGill was OK before handing him back his glasses.
They then drove the cricketer back to Sydney.
Richard Schaaf was sentenced to two years and six months for his violent acts.
Because he had already spent time in jail before being released on bail, he will serve time in the community through an intensive community order of one year and eight months.
He will be required to complete 200 hours of community service.
Judge Phillip Mahony found that the 33-year-old was the “leader” of the group and played the more serious role.Â
However, he had expressed genuine remorse for his actions.
His brother Frederick – who acted as the driver but did not lay any blows on MacGill – was sentenced to a nine-month intensive corrections order for intimidating the cricketer.
This includes 100 hours of community service work.
He was also sentenced to an 11-month community corrections order for being present during the assault.
Feilo was given a sentence of two years and four months after the judge took into account his immaturity as a 19-year-old at the time as well as his remorse shown.
His PTSD also lessened his moral culpability, the judge said.
Taking into account time spent in custody, Feilo will served a 21-month intensive corrections order plus engage in 250 hours of community service work.Â
In September, MacGill was convicted for taking part in a drug supply after introducing Person A to another man.
One brick of cocaine was successfully exchanged for $330,000 in cash less than a week before the drug rip-off.
The cricketer was sentenced to a one-year and 10-month intensive corrections order in May when he was ordered to complete 495 hours of community service work.