Packed to the Rafters star Ryan Corr has pleaded guilty to drug possession after he was caught smoking heroin in a Sydney laneway in May.
Ryan, 25, attended Waverley Local Court to face charges of possession of an illegal substance after he was allegedly apprehended by police with a freezer bag containing heroin in May this year. He made no comment to the waiting press as he arrived at the court wearing a blue suit.
The Australian actor was accompanied by his lawyer – high-profile solicitor Chris Murphy, who denied that Ryan possessed any large quantities of the drug and said that his client was carrying 0.26 grams, which he stated amounted to “half a Panadol”.
Related: Peaches Geldof died of heroin overdose, inquest confirms
Mr Murphy said Ryan’s grandfather had a heart attack and almost died the week before the arrest, leaving him distressed. Mr Murphy also supplied the court with several references for Ryan, including one from his agent citing how the negative publicity from the arrest was impacting his career. Mr Murphy told the court a conviction would ruin Ryan’s chances of working in Hollywood.
Related: Cory Monteith died from heroin and alcohol overdose
As well as Packed To The Rafters, Ryan has had roles in Underbelly: The Golden Mile, Love Child and Blue Water High. The young actor picked up an award at the Madrid International Film Festival for his role in Australian thriller Wolf Creek 2 five days after his arrest. He was also the recipient of the prestigious Heath Ledger acting scholarship in 2011.
Related: Heath Ledger’s death accidental
Ryan was scheduled to perform in a Sydney Theatre Company production of Cyrano de Bergerac, however last week it was revealed he had withdrawn from the production. He will, however, be starring in upcoming film The Water Diviner alongside Russell Crowe.
