Matt Jennings, left, in what was possibly his last bout when he topped the bill in the Open Show just two days before his court appearance. (Picture by Peter Frankland, 0862365)
THE drugs disgrace of Guernsey’s golden boy of boxing, Matt Jennings, has signalled the end of his career, said coach Graham Guilbert.
Two days after topping the bill in the Beau Sejour Open Show, the 32-year-old was pleading guilty in the Magistrate’s Court to possession of cannabis and an Ecstasy tablet.
He committed the offences at the end of August, but did not tell anyone at the Amalgamated Boys’ Club.
Mr Guilbert, the club’s head coach, said that Jennings, who was once the novice heavyweight champion of Great Britain, had one year left of his glittering amateur career, but this conviction will bring it to a close.
He said he has a zero tolerance policy about drugs in the club.
‘It will have to go through the procedures,’ he said.
‘That’s the end of his career. I’ve got a policy – no drugs or anything. He’ll be gone.’
The first Mr Guilbert knew of the court appearance was when he was contacted by the Guernsey Press for his reaction.
He was shocked to hear that his prize fighter had admitted a drugs charge.
He said no one in the club knew anything about it.
‘I can’t believe it. I really, really can’t. Nobody told me and he never said anything to me. It will be sad for Guernsey boxing if he has [done it].
‘He’ll have to go because you can’t have it. What a shame.
‘He’s lowered the sport right down. Why should he get away with it and other people don’t?
‘It’s his last year anyway. I’ll be for finishing [his career].
‘You’ve got to make an example of him. Everyone looks up to him.’
Mr Guilbert said that the club’s committee will meet this week to discuss the matter.
He added that it would be up to club chairman Dave Hadlington whether or not to inform the sport’s governing body, the Amateur Boxing Association of England.
In what now looks likely to have been his last appearance in a boxing ring, a week on Saturday, Mr Jennings stopped visiting Irish boxer and former Ulster champion Denver Jardine in the second round in front of more than 800 fans who had given him a hero’s welcome to the ring.
It was likely that he was going to top the bill in the upcoming dinner boxing show at St Pierre Park Hotel and at the next Open Show in February.
The local cruiserweight was also planning to enter the National ABA Championships after Christmas.
Mr Jennings is a keen footballer and plays in the social leagues. He is also a cricketer with Evening League Division Four side Cranford CC.
In line with the Guernsey Cricket Association’s code of conduct, he faces a ban from all cricket in Guernsey, from three months to life, at the discretion of the association’s disciplinary committee depending on the gravity of the offence.
Speaking after being fined £1,000 for possession, Mr Jennings said that he did not use drugs.
When the police picked him up for being drunk and disorderly, he believed that he was just going to be held in the cells overnight. The drugs were found when police searched him.
‘It was something that someone had given to me and I put it my pocket,’ he said.
‘I don’t know why they gave it to me. I wasn’t thinking clearly.
‘In the morning I would have flushed it down the toilet. I don’t do drugs, not at all. The fact that it was still in my pocket goes to show that I don’t take it.’
Article posted on 2nd November, 2009 - 2.30pm
66 Article Comments
People make mistakes & everyone is entitled to a second chance…
Yes Jennings was obviously silly on a particular night out but we have all made mistakes in our life…
He has been fined & his reputation has been damaged beyond repair….
Let us not forget, a week ago he was a Guernsey hero who walked out to an ovation he truly deserved…
I am not a boxer & have never met Matt Jenings in my life – but I am a Guern who believes in fairness…
This is not a performance enhancing drug – if anything if taken they would be a hinderance to a boxer!!
Let Matt finish his career doing what he does best – representing Guernsey & making us proud….
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There was me thinking that it is up to the Courts to dish out punishment….not the press!
Matthew is a great sporting asset to his Island and his contribution to boxing is second to none. The Guernsey boxing crowd love him and they always will. Mr Scoones / Mr Digard have you heard of the saying ‘He who has never sinned cast the first stone’?
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Just because somebody is well known in Guernsey for their success in local sport it doesn’t justify persecution by the Guernsey Press for actions that have already been punished by the Courts. I can’t believe this is front page news or maybe I can…
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All that can really be said is that it is sad that the future of some of the lads who would have benefitted from the training and skills Matt could have passed on are now to be denied this inspiration. People make mistakes are we in the habit of destroying lives for front page copy ?
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Let’s not forget that the substances that he had have SCIENTIFICALLY been proven to be less harmful than cigarettes and alcohol.
Give the guy a break, he’s a hell of a boxer, let him carry on with what he does best. I for one couldn’t care less about these convictions, and if my colleagues’ reactions are anything to go by then not many people are bothered by it at all.
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Next you will be telling us that the use of drugs is OK, get real will you, It’s up to the press to report these thing and get the message across to youngsters that drugs are wrong, well done The Press.
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I totally agree W H Bonney, with everything you have said, i myself have never met the man, but the whole thing smacks of unfairness to me, but this is guernsey i guess and it seems lately that if you do one thing wrong, your jumped on from a great height and all your good qualities are ignored, which is a shame, it never used to be like that. to Mr Jennings all i can say those that point the finger at you, have threee fingers pointing back at themselves, which basically means let them accuse all they like, as they are no better than you!
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Another over reaction. Typical. possesion isnt taking or supplying, and if he didnt know what he had been given he is inocent until proven guilty. 1 exstacy tablet, 3 pints of lager do more damage, and i bet those that accuse often take that!
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The fact that he is well known means that it does justify persecution.
it would be like david beckham getting caught with drugs and the newspaper not putting it on teh front page.
and W H Bonney: do you not think that he is a role model to all the younger boxers in the island? if so, then role models should not be taking drugs and should expect to be punished/banned.
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Michelle M : Last week Sir Alex Ferguson, when questioned by the media about Rio Ferdinand, replied “I just have to put it down to the modern culture of humiliating people, which you do very well, and sensationalise….”
How true he was. We have a culture that builds people up to excess with the sole intention it seems to knock them down when they do something wrong.
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To dave thomas. Have you never ever made a mistake in your life? Give the guy a break. The ‘drugs’ he was carrying were not performance-enhancing and he’s not a sporting cheat. In my book the squeaky clean soccer player who commits a cynical ‘professional’ foul is far, far worse.
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Yet another drugs thread where the general feeling seems to be the exact opposite of how the press/ police/ customs/ courts see things.
Something has to change, why should this young man’s life be ruined by a stupid mistake?
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Geoff
I think you’ll find that para two in the story
indicates that he pleaded guilty
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Rob,
Its not quite David Beckham now is it?!
You want a role model for kids?? The guy has admitted guilt, admitted he was wrong & has paid the price…
Now let him rebuild what he has left of his career & do us proud once again… After that let him help develop & bring through the next generation of boxers over here… What better role model then showing that after making a mistake you can turn the corner & rebuild yourself…
Everyone is entitled to a second chance & every single person has done something wrong & something they regret, OK some are worse then others & some extreme things dont deserve a second chance but look at the facts in this case… they are hardly performance enhancing drugs & I know many island sports stars in other sports that would be horrified if their social habits became front page news!!
Should Matt ever grace a boxing ring, I would be proud for him to represent our island & would support him fully…..
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It seems that the GP slant is a bit off the mark with this one. Mr Guilbert was on BBC Guernsey this morning saying that he had not said anything of the sort and that any action will be the subject of a committee meeting.
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Well written, WH Bonney. Mr Jennings has paid the penalty required by law, in this case a £1,000 fine. Excessive and continual punishment embitters men and does not serve the community.
I think he was wrong not to tell the boxing club that he was due in court two days after a major fight, especially since he entered a guilty plea. For that infraction perhaps a suspension for a month or two might be warranted however to not allow him to ever return to boxing or coach on Guernsey is utterly disproportionate to the offence.
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Ray – I think you’ll find that Jennings only pleaded guilty to possession, not to actually using any illegal drugs…. of course, ironically, if he HAD taken them, he’d never have been caught!! There’s a lesson for the youth of today eh??
It is a shame that the GP has been judge, jury and executioner here. I’d never heard of Jennings before, but he is obviously a talented athlete. Destroying a career like this is without precedent, there are countless examples in national and international sport where a professional athlete has been caught in possession of recreational drugs and I’m not aware that any has ever received a lifetime ban. We also have professional athletes abusing performance-enhancing drugs and returning after an average two year ban to compete at the highest level for their country again, don’t we Dwain Chambers??
Mr Jennings, I wish you the best of luck, I hope you can find another club to train for and continued success in the future.
(Anyone fancy a debate on the abuse of alcohol that led to Mr J being arrested and detained in the first place?? Or is alcohol abuse okay?)
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He’s supposed to be a public sporting figure, he deserves to be banned like everybody else would. I think Graham handled it in the best way. Kids will look up to him and if he gets away with it that’s sending out the wrong message. He should have respected his position in the first place and shouldn’t go out getting drunk, and making a fool of himself, let alone carrying drugs.
Was there any forgiving Dwayne Chambers?
Athletes the world over are banned for taking steroids, why should he not be banned for carrying illegal street drugs?
There’s no difference. He should be handled like everybody else would be.
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Is it only Bob and I that find it bizare that the fact that an extremely talented heavyweight boxer was arrested for drunk and disorderly and therefore a probable “right handful” for the police and anyone in the vicinity, yet this seems to have been conveniently ignored by the press’s desperation to put another “demon drugs” headline on the front page??
Good luck Matt, hopefully this overreaction will die down and you can box for the island again.
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Student Bob
Alcohol is ok. Alcohol is good. Why, even Deputies and Magistrates / Jurats etc use it, how can it possibly be bad? As indeed do members of the press. That makes them all drug users, it’s just that their drug of choice is slightly different to others, who end up being prosecuted.
So, basically, what we have here is one group of drug users saying to another “we’re not as bad as you, our drug’s legal, and you’re a menace to society who has to be severely punished for your choice of drug”.
It’s a real shame that those who occupy the moral high ground on this issue can’t see how utterly pathetic they look.
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I’m sure there are very few people who have never made a stupid mistake and wished they could have another chance.
we don’t have to look too far, our very own states member makes a racist remark, he was given another chance wasn’t he?
Matt has been used as a scape goat and i am absolutely disgusted at the way the press has persecuted him, the amount of coverage given is ridiculous…someone beats a woman up and knocks two of her teeth out, was that in the headlines? come on get real here.
He has paid a heavy price not only financialy give matt another chance.
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Mrspinthepantry, you say “Something has to change, why should this young man’s life be ruined by a stupid mistake?”
How do we as the public know that this was a one off? His only mistake was getting so drunk he got caught.
I wonder how many young lads (and now lasses) look up to this guy as a hero? When I was younger playing in the minis at football I would look up at the likes of the top footballers, in Guernsey, and thinking how wonderful they are, I have no doubt that I would have thought this behaviour was acceptable had I of seen it similar things happen.
With regard to everyone else saying the press have ruined this guy’s career, 1. He has ruined his own career as I imagine that being in the club for a long time he would have known the rules regarding drugs 2. It is the coach that has banned him, not the press, are we really that naïve to think that the coach wouldn’t have found out through another medium?
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Ridiculous sensationalising..
He had no choice but to plead guilty seeing as the police found 1 pill on him! even though absolutely anyone could have put it in his pocket.. I don’t doubt he would pass all necessary drug tests required to compete at Boxing
if he was a drug user which the Headline in the paper on monday would suggest to those that don’t know him.. He has paid his fine, which the courts in this case thought penalty enough, it’s not just Mr Jennings that is suffering this backlash but all his family as well.. In most other juristictions this would have resulted in a caution with no further action… Enough is enough.
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Ben darling,
I don’t know or care whether it was a one off or not. What I do find it extremely worrying that (as Nicola points out) that if someone slips just 250mg of MDMA in your pocket whilst you are out and about in Town then the above could easily happen to anyone, with the associated high fine, possible prison, loss of job etc.
Even worse, if someone had it in for you Ben and posted class A drugs to your address then based on past court cases in Guernsey you will be going to prison for importation. You can’t prove a negative so how on earth would you prove your innocence?
The drugs found were certainly not performance enhancing for boxing, all this case proves yet again is Guernsey’s overreaction in dealing with small quantities of recreational drugs.
When in Town at the weekend I’d rather encounter someone loved up on Ecstasy than a violent drunk any day.
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Mrspinthepantry, your lack of reliability astonishes me. “Mr Finch Sir, he planted them in my pocket, I promise Gov!” Furthermore I would love to meet someone with such a vendetta against me that they would waste all that money posting me drugs. Wake up and smell the coffee ‘darling.’
The fact remains that these are illegal drugs, the fact remains that Jennings knew the rules and the fact remains that Mr Guilbert stuck to the clubs rules
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Ben – “the fact remains that Mr Guilbert stuck to the clubs rules”
I refer the honorable gentleman to my earlier comment.
Mr Guilbert disputes that he ever said what the GP claims he said.
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I truly hope that Mr Guilbert sticks to his guns.
There’s no point debating whether boxing is a sport, or whether a boxer is an ambassador, or whether the drugs are performance-enhancing or not.
As Ben says, Mr Jennings knew the rules. There’s no point in his bleating after the event. He did himself no favours by failing to inform his club either. He has shown himself to be untrustworthy. He claims to have something to pass on to the kids, but I can only hope that it will now be impossible for him to work with children.
E
(the other one)
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I do not know Matt as a friend, but have met him some years ago and he is a true Gent. He has a great talent as a boxer and wears the vest of Guernsey proud. Please let him carry on doing what he loves to do.
With reference to some of the comments, I understand that certain drugs are illegal and which class they are, but it seems such a small amount. I also understand that for a case of possession, not only does the prosecution have to prove that they are illegal substances, but they also have to prove knowledge by the person found with them, if, what I understand that Mr Jennings did not have that knowledge then he should appeal the sentence. Wouldn’t it be great for an emminant Advocate to take the case on, free of charge and help him, if he truely did not have prior knowledge. I suspect that last part of the post will enrage a number of posters, I don’t really care if it does, but everyone deserves a second change in life.
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what i’ll say is the guy has definately got something about him to even step into a boxing ring let alone be successful. it is extremely difficult to compete at the level this man does and as with many sports requires dedication effort and bravery. if any of you critics can achieve what he has you will have done well. He has made a mistake and has been punished. Everyone desreves a second chance even in hang em high Guernsey!
Move on!
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So, he didn’t try and cheat by using performance enhacing drugs. So why should he suffer a lifetime ban?
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shame for the fella, he has his £1000 fine. it was only a pill asnd a bit of pot for goodness sake, people need to stop being so hysterical about it.i’m with the people who are highlighting the fact he was drunk and disorderly, that is far more harmful to a person’s body.it is dull reading the daily mail brigade going on anout the evils of drugs when they probably have never gone and tried them.if they who go to town at the weekend and drink too much and fight were all given an E instead there would be a massive drop in fighting and disorderly behaviour.maybe they should ban booze and legalize E’s and blow?
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If you were found with the drugs and given the fine etc, you’d almost for sure get fired, this is Matt’s career really at the end of the day, so I think its fair. If had been legal highs I can understand, but drugs are drugs.
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TL – Point taken – thanks for the insight
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Message for E – the other one
Judging by your comments I gather that you are not a fan of boxing or a fan of giving people a second chance. In fact you seem to come across to me as a ‘Mary Poppins’ type character.
There are many Mary Poppins characters out there and I find their only purpose in life is to annoy us lesser human beings.
As you obviously do not know Matt personally or the specific case details you should not be judging whether or not he should/should not be working with children. I find your comments very hurtful to say the least.
Lets face facts its hardly the crime of the century!
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Is everyone forgetting that Matt had this ‘pill’ in his pocket? and therefore if he was such a drug user he would have eaten it?? he was arrested for disordley however people are forgetting this charge was dropped and therefore previous comments about how ‘this should be more of a worry’ really is a joke. The police didnt think he was ‘a threat’ hence the charge was dropped. He paid the fine a whopping £1000 for one tablet and tiny bit of cannabis!!
Further to E – the other one – to comment on whether he should be able to work with Children again really is pathetic. I presume you have never met Matt and therefore dont judge a book by its cover or in this case by the Guernsey Press! You seem to have such an opinion for somebody who you know simply through the press. Can I make a suggestion that you maybe go out and take one of these ‘e’ and feel a bit of love yourself…maybe Matt should of given it to you as you come across as needing it!
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Mrspinthepantry – COME OFF IT WILL YOU! Somebody “slipped” it into his pocket, pull the other one!
We can all use somebody else as blame, or the somebody else gave me the drugs, that old chesnut, they were his drugs, they were in HIS pocket. Harmless ecstacy or not, they’re illegal. He shouldn’t have done it. He, at the very least, should have done the right thing and informed the club immediately.
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Imho Guernsey generally over reacts to everything be that misdemeanours, press coverage, public outrage and sporting body reaction. It all feeds on itself.
If this was the UK the chances are none of you would know about it as it would have been dealt with by either a caution or a fixed penalty notice.
Think about it.
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“Should of” or should have?
I’m pretty sure Matt, like us all, has made mistakes whilst drunk before SB?
But at his age now, with the responsibility he has, there’s just no room for error.
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Nikkers
Very well put. The people who make the laws haven’t personally tried these substances (at least they claim not to have done) they disregard scientific evidence about their harmful effects, so what do they base their opinions on?
Maybe it’s the Daily “take one E and you’ll end up on a slab” Mail, or the Daily “SKUNK IS LETHAL” Telegraph, or some other right wing rag that takes the moral high ground, despite many of their journalists being drunks, cigarette smokers etc
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@ Nikkers – i love you comment where you say “it was only a pill and abit of pot for gods sake” Would you be saying the same if Mr Jennings had been found dead because that “one pill” wasnt really an E it was rat poison? but thats ok because it was “just one pill” your comment is pathetic!
I’m not bothered if he gets to box again or not to be honest with you, couldnt care less infact! But the bloke is a role model, he’s admitted being a twit for carrying the “pill and pot” so lets all agree he clearly needs to grow up a bit and let him live his life yeah?
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Just out of interest, all of you who are saying “its just a pill” or “just an E” – Presumably then you wouldnt mind if your children took one?
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Why would I mind Ben?
MDMA is safer than aspirin.
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Ben, I’d prefer my kids to try MDMA than a litre of vodka. I’m presuming you’ve never taken MDMA and don’t know too much about it?
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MrsPinthepantry, your answer doesnt suprise me.
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Wow, that’s a really grown up thing to say MrsP, a woman of your age should know better.
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chewy
you need to check your employment law mate.
kerry
i suspect that the rehabilitation of offenders law (although in Guernsey it’s about as weak as it can get)was bought in to stop people like you from advocating life long punishment for any offence. Matt Jennings has been punished get over it and move forward.
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Come on Guernsey this is a man who clearly loves his sport! If he played football in the Premiership you would all be spouting off “How is unfair life is” If Matt had been carrying Legal Highs he would have be fine. This is not a drug dealer!! He is an Athlete!!
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Those of you who said that he was only carrying it and wasn’t using it, I’m sure i read in the report (either the main one or the report on his punishment from court, possibly in the grey box) that his advocate said he only had the drugs for personal use and wasn’t a dealer. i.e. admitting his guilt.
but i cant find my copy of the press so someone will have to confirm/deny this!
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People at the top of their game, whether in our humble little isle, or on the world stage, need to deal with the fact that along with the media applauding their success, there will be admonishment of their misdemeanours. In a similar way, youngsters will look to people like Matt and see someone successful who they may wish to emulate. Is it right that such role models should be seen as being able to advocate the use of illegal substances (whatever their merits may be, Mrs P) when they are clearly ILLEGAL? Is this, in any case, Mr Jennings’ first offence? Is he really such an icon?
Grow up Guernsey. You have children watching you. Think of them!
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here here Belinda, well said!
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Belinda
This is, of course, true.
Why then do people gather round in offices to hear tales of ar*e-over-*ittishness, puking in clubs, punching a window in, knocking a copper’s hat off, urinating in a post box, getting pregnant?
Yet a bloke with a non-mdma E and some second rate blow, who usually is admired for his character and dedication gets his named mudded and reputation shattered for not even taking the stuff.
It’s all wrong.
It’s the kids lying in the gutter after follies that need this sort of punishment.
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“Belinda
This is, of course, true.”
No it isn’t. It’s either histrionics or over reaction.
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From a number of the previous comments – you can break the law, BUT because you are popular, its ok and you should be let off with a flea in your ear. What would happen to any person on the street caught with these illegal items?? He must have known what he was doing and shoud face the concequences – doesnt matter what or who he represents…
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And to add to JL Seagulls post
I dont know of any examples of anyone high on second rate blow or a non-Mdma E urinating on a war memorial such as the drunken idiot in court in sheffield yesterday.
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Oliver
Nobody is saying it`s ok for him to break the law and i haven`t read anywhere that he should have been let off?.
He was treated like anyone else in the street with a heavy fine but unlike anyone else he will now suffer further and thats what people think is going to far, myself included.
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Read the article Oliver, he wasn’t let off with a flea in his ear, he received a £1000 fine and a criminal record.
The sentiment expressed by most people here is that he should not disproportionately suffer by receive a lifetime ban from boxing – something that according to today’s Press thankfully appears less likely.
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Oliver – he hasn’t gotten away with it, he was fined through the courts. What people are saying and what I agree with is that he made a mistake, the courts dealt with it in the way they thought was appropriate. Everyone screws up at least once in their life. He has shown remorse and I beleive on this occasion he deserves a second chance. Too many people hold too higher expectations on other people and sometimes forget that we are all human and we don’t always get it right. If people were less judgemental on others I’m sure it would make this island a little nicer place to live. Let Matt get back to doing what he does best.
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The guy has been punished by the Courts now the press should leave him alone.
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So kids, take E’s, take legal highs, “second rate blow”, you’ll only go to court, get a measley fine and you’ll still be able to represent your Island at sport! Round of applause for the ‘justice’ system once again!
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Kerry-o,
No one is telling kids to take drugs, the majority understand that legal or not, exposure to recreationals are an everyday part of growing up for a large percentage of people.
By creating an ill informed law based on curtain twitching paranoia – on a par with THC poisoning in its irrationality, maybe too much coffee – then you impose an obstacle to be overcome.
The facts speak for themselves.
Drug barons are successful, drugs are a viable market, fatalities are linked to the criminal element of doctoring, market dominance and unregulated sales techniques.
Yet those that die, or indeed need medical treatment, are a small minority of users, and that’s for the Bad Horse or Rocky stimulant derivatives.
Addicts, with treatment, are just like you and me.
White, feathery and squakky.
No, kids don’t take drugs if you don’t want to. If you do then understand the risks – which are considerable if you are ignorant.
But it should not be a question of criminality otherwise the impression is that boozers, more destructive, more obnoxious, more self righteous than any junkie have the monopoly on drug intake. Why is the status quo fair?
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Rob is correct, it was stated that he had admitted it was for personel use only. So in effect it was admission in itself that he does indulge.
Why not ask him to have a test to see if the drugs are in his system. Cannibis will still show traces after 6 weeks. This would clear him as to wether he uses the stuff or not.
Aside of that we all know what recreational drugs lead to, and that is the harder stuff. Drugs are drugs and they need to be stamped out.
I for one would not have him within a square mile of teaching one of my kids, however that should not stop him living his life his way. If he wants to box and take drugs then that is his perogative. It will certainly prevent him from functioning as well as he would do if not drinking or taking drugs.
Let him live how he wants, but there should be no chance ever of him passing on his poor standards to anyone else.
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all the “hammer Matt Jennings” posts I’ve read are missing the point to a degree.
firstly none of them with children know what their kids will get up to in the future no matter how old those sons and increasingly, daughters get.So I would’nt throw too many stones yet. Further they overestimate the effect a case like this has on others.The younger boxers will no doubt be told in no unscertain terms how wrong Matt Jennings has been.
secondly they are underestimating the fact that this man will have a criminal record effictively forever and which in thirty years or so will still be having a negative effect on his life and that of his family.
the guy has been punished by the courts so for goodness sake move on!
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Thanks to the Press sensationalising a minor crime to the level of the Great Train Robbery, this young man’s career is quite possibly over, as his Coach and Club have felt obliged to be seen to take to moral high ground.
Now, if he got drunk out of his mind every weekend and smoked fags like a chimney, beating up his wife and 15 unwanted kids whilst living in a States house, and getting us to fund the whole fiasco, that would have been fine, as long as no one called the Police.
For those out there who are ranting on about the chil-drun and what will they think, and how getting caught with a pill you haven’t even taken and some smoke means you should be hung drawn and made an example of, really need to get out more.
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To all those who condem the boxer.
Drink and ciggies have done more harm than a bit of cannabis and an ecstacy tablet.
Although I will admit some have been hurt by both.
BUT the FACT remains these two drugs are less harmful than alcohol and cigarettes.
Those who are condeming are suffering from “Insularitis”.
Give me a cannabis smoker any day than someone suffering “Insularitis”.
BJ
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This has all been blown totally out of proportion and I really do feel for Mr Jennings and his family. Some of you do not realise (or simply do not care) what impact these hurtful and sometimes ridiculous comments will be having on them.
As for those of you who commented that Mr Jennings should not work with children, I am absolutely disgusted that you can judge someone so quickly without valid and fair reason – this is just typical of narrow minded Guernsey people (I am a local by the way before I get a tirade of abuse). I have known Mr Jennings for a number of years and I would allow my children to be trained, mentored, looked after by him without a second thought and I do hope that people will see sense eventually and allow him to pass on his exceptional talent to the youth of Guernsey.
How many of you posting these negative comments have a glass of wine each evening or smoke cigarettes? Are they not the two most harmful yet legal substances on Earth that children see parents and relatives consuming each and every day! So none of you have every gone out, got too drunk and made a mistake before no? I have one word and that is hypocrites!
Ok – Mr Jennings is a local sporting hero who youngsters will look up to but everyone is free to make their own decisions. If a youngster decides in 3 years time to take a pill or smoke a bit of pot … will you be blaming Mr Jennings for this because he had some in his possession in 2009 – probably not!
I suggest people start moving on from this and let Mr Jennings and his family do the same as they have been punished enough already.
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Hi i agree with the last statement. I know that matt is not a bad boy! He has total respect for his choice of life and drugs is in no way a part of his life, we all make mistakes! and to be honest with the news lately and an email i have just received about a rapist taxi driver who will not get named as not reported within 24 hrs! totally disgusting!!! shall we all look at what is really happening within the justice system in Guernsey! matt! loves ya Holdens!! xxxx<3
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