Former Test cricket umpire Darrell Hair admits to stealing from an employer to feed his gambling addiction. 

Hair avoided a conviction after pleading guilty, in what the magistrate called ‘a monumental fall from grace.’

A fact sheet revealed that Hair stole $9,005.75 from D’Aquino’s Liquor in Orange between 25 February and 28 April, as a result of what he called a gambling addiction.

‘My client has been in the public eye for many years and this is a bit of a fall for him, to find himself before the court in these circumstances,’ the 65-year-old’s lawyer was quoted by the Sydney Morning Herald. 

‘This is an aberration in the life of a man who, prior to this, had a lifetime of service to the community and to a sport that he loved.’

Hair umpired 78 Tests and is widely remembered for calling Sri Lanka spinner Muttiah Muralitharan for throwing in a Test in Melbourne in 1995. 

Magistrate Michael Allen sentenced Hair to an 18-month good behaviour bond as well as counselling. He was also ordered to pay back the money he stole.

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