<span>Ablett: I gave Alisha drugs</span>
<span>By Jeremy Kelly</span>
<span>November 13, 2002</span>
<span> DISGRACED former football hero Gary Ablett has finally revealed all about the drug-filled night of shame that led to the death of 20-year-old Alisha Horan.
<table width=200 align=right> <tbody> <tr> <td> <table cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 border=0> <tbody> <tr> <td align=middle>
</td></tr> <tr> <td align=left>Ablett and Horan at the hotel reception / File
</td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table>Ablett, 41, has told police ahead of his expected court appearance tomorrow that he and Ms Horan took six ecstasy pills each. And he confessed he later allowed her to snort heroin after telling her it was cocaine. It is understood Ablett voluntarily provided the account of the hours leading up to Ms Horan's death. He was charged with four drug offences - using and possessing ecstasy and using and possessing heroin. It is the first time the former Geelong great has provided details about events on the night of February 16, 2000. Ablett refused to testify at the inquest into Ms Horan's death, with his lawyer arguing the former star could incriminate himself. Ms Horan, 20, died after a day-long drinking and drug-taking session with the man many regard as the most skilled player of the modern era. In a police summary, seen by the Herald Sun, it is alleged Ablett was staying at the Park Hyatt Hotel on the night of February 16 when friend and alleged drug dealer Clayton Brown visited. It is alleged Mr Brown, who fled Australia with his girlfriend after the incident, gave Ablett about 12 ecstasy pills as a "gift". Later that day Ablett and Ms Horan, who a coroner said was clearly infatuated with her hero, each took about six ecstasy pills before going out for dinner in South Melbourne. They then went to Mr Brown's South Yarra flat, the summary reveals. Police allege Ablett and Ms Horan returned to the hotel about 12.30am and as Ms Horan went to the toilet, Ablett took out some heroin that had been given to him several weeks earlier by a man he knew only as "Butch". Ablett then laid out some lines of heroin and proceeded to snort some of it, it is alleged. Ms Horan came out of the toilet, asked Ablett what it was, and he is alleged to have said it was cocaine. Ms Horan told Ablett she would like to try some and she then snorted some of the heroin. It is not known whether Ablett was aware the substance was heroin and not cocaine. Ablett told police that soon after, he fell asleep. When he awoke next morning, Ms Horan was unconscious. Ms Horan died about 8pm on February 18, having never regained consciousness. In March last year, coroner Noreen Toohey found Ms Horan died from hypoxic brain injury and multiple drug toxicity. An autopsy revealed the presence of heroin, amphetamines and ecstasy in Ms Horan's body. Ms Toohey said that it was unfortunate that Ablett was too drunk and probably drug-affected to help Ms Horan, who otherwise might still be alive. "This case is a clear example of a high-profile sportsman failing to take his responsibility seriously," she said in her finding. Ablett did not give evidence at the inquest after his QC, Philip Dunn, argued Ablett could incriminate himself. However, it is believed that the charges Ablett now faces were laid after Ablett contacted police. It is believed he gave his version of events in the presence of his lawyer in February this year. Ablett, of Grovedale in Geelong, has been charged on summons and is listed to appear in Melbourne Magistrates' Court tomorrow.
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Herald Sun</span>
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