Australian nightclub promoter breaks down in a Bali court as prosecutor demands astonishing sentence over his cocaine possession charge
- A nightclub promoter has broken down in a Bali court over a cocaine charge
- Prosecutor asked for the Melbourne duo to be handed relatively light sentences
- William Cabantog, 36, and David Van Iersel, 38, were arrested in Canggu in July
- Cabantog held face in his hands and began to weep in Denpasar District Court
An Australian nightclub promoter has broken down in a Bali court after a prosecutor recommended a relatively light sentence for alleged cocaine possession.
William Cabantog and David Van Iersel were arrested amid police raids on the Lost City nightclub in resort precinct Canggu in July and both returned positive urine tests.
The Melbourne duo were allegedly in possession of 1.12 grams of cocaine and face up to 12 years behind bars if convicted.
But in the Denpasar District Court on Monday, Prosecutor Ni Made Ayu Citra Maya Sari urged the judge to sentence Cabantog, 36, to one-year and six months and his co-accused, 38, to one-year and two months.
William Cabantog (centre) is escorted by Denpasar Police during a press conference in Bali in July 23. Cabantog broke down in tears in court
William Cabantog (centre) and David Van Iersel (left) were arrested amid police raids on the Lost City nightclub and homes in Canggu on Bali on July 19 and both returned positive urine tests
Overcome with emotion by the recommendation in a country known for its hard stance on drug offences, Cabantog held his face in his hands and began to weep.
Both men have shown regret for their actions, which is a mitigating factor for a lighter sentence, The Daily Telegraph reported.
‘During the trial no justification was found that could eradicate the guilt of the defendant so that the defendant must take responsibility and be punished in accordance with his action,’ Ms Sari said.
Cabantog spoke through tears as he told the court about how he was led to drug abuse.
‘I had immigrant parents who came to Australia and had very strict values. I had an alcoholic, abusive father. I couldn’t understand the situation … I ran away from home when I was 15,’ he said.
‘I was homeless for a year. I ended up moving in with my aunty and my cousin. My aunty was like a mother figure for me at the time.’
Cabantog (pictured) spoke through tears as he told the court about how he was led to drug abuse. ‘I had immigrant parents who came to Australia and had very strict values. I had an alcoholic, abusive father’
Prosecutor Ni Made Ayu Citra Maya Sari urged the judge to sentence Cabantog, 36, to one-year and six months and his co-accused, 38, to one-year and two months
Van Iersel’s lawyers requested he go through rehabilitation instead of jail to serve his time but prosecutors denied the suggestion, Nine News reported.
The 38-year-old apologised to the court for his offending, he said: ‘It was a brief moment of weakness. I’m very sorry for my actions, I truly am.’
‘I’ve paid an immense price… I have suffered and my family have suffered – to them I am truly sorry.
‘I apologise to the court and Republic of Indonesia for my actions and I look to the court for compassion.’
Cabantog’s slightly longer sentence was suggested by prosecutors because he allegedly ‘initiated using cocaine together with David’.
Ms Sari said the men were ‘victims of the drug trade’.
The men will remain locked up over Christmas as their trial is scheduled to continue on January 6.
Cabantog is pictured with Wallabies star Nick ‘Honey Badger’ Cummins