A Victorian court has admitted that an arrest warrant for Ricky Nixon was issued in error and withdrawn.
The backflip came after the controversial footy identity used a wild interview on live radio to hit out at the arrest court’s treatment of him while he failed to attend a hearing on Monday on what the magistrate called “serious charges”.
The 60-year-old was scheduled to appear in the Melbourne Magistrates Court but did not appear or contact the court to explain his absence.
Nixon, a former high-profile AFL player manager, was charged with 10 offenses in November last year after police investigated him for allegedly selling fake commemorative footballs for $575, with proceeds pledged to a children’s charity.
Nixon (pictured outside court last year in a separate issue) joked that he was “in jail – aka Port Melbourne Beach” when contacted by a radio program on Tuesday
Police claim the balls were not actually signed by Melbourne Demons players following their 2021 grand final victory.
Magistrate James Henderson said in court Monday that he is considering subpoenaing Nixon to appear on the “serious allegations.”
“Since I did not show up at 3:15 p.m., I intend to issue a warrant,” he said.
However, the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that the order has now been withdrawn.
“The Magistrates’ Court of Victoria has received an application for an administrative adjournment of the hearing in the Ricky Nixon case, which was scheduled for Monday 15 January 2024 in Melbourne,” a spokesperson said in a statement.
‘An administrative error led to the hearing taking place at the court on this date. An arrest warrant was issued.
“Another hearing took place on Tuesday, January 16, at which an application was made to revoke the order. The magistrate revoked the order and adjourned the matter to February 13, 2024.”
Nixon has since demanded an apology from the court.
Radio station Nova FM tracked down Nixon on Tuesday morning so they could hear his thoughts on the legal drama while the order was still in effect.
Nova’s Ben, Liam & Belle show tracked down Nixon on Tuesday and he told them the police and courts have ‘stuffed this big time’
When presenter Liam Stapleton asked Nixon about his whereabouts, he replied: “I’m currently in prison – also known as Port Melbourne Beach, which I walk along and enjoy.”
Stapleton then asked if the police were looking for him and Nixon said, “It’s the biggest bullshit ever.” Yesterday they adjourned the hearing. It has been recorded in writing that the trial has been adjourned and that Mr Dixon does not have to appear at all.
“The courts and Melbourne police have screwed this up big time.”
Rival radio program Fifi, Fev & Nick also contacted Nixon on Tuesday morning.
He answered their call with “Ricky Nixon’s jail cell, Chicken speaking,” referring to his nickname.
“Right now I’m walking along Port Melbourne Beach, waving at police cars as they pass by, enjoying life like I’ve never enjoyed it before, because they’ve been discovered, immensely.”
Nixon then claimed that police had not provided court evidence to support their case against him and that he had been told in writing that he did not have to attend the case on Monday.
The disgraced AFL player agent has called his treatment by the Melbourne Magistrates Court “a disgrace” and “complete and utter nonsense”.
Nixon posted to his Instagram page what he claimed was correspondence from the court, with the purported message that “no appearance is required for the purpose of this adjournment.”
That echoes comments Nixon made Monday night.
‘The court has publicly apologized. The police have apologized. Told us the hearing had been postponed and it was a shame. Total and utter nonsense,” he told the Herald Sun.
Daily Mail Australia contacted the Victorian Police and the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court for comment, but both declined to speak about the case.
When asked if he is concerned about being locked up, Nixon replied “not at all” and said he thought it was a prank when his phone “went ballistic” when the arrest warrant became public knowledge, and said he might go to police station would walk. in South Melbourne.