Fed: Diamond case adjourned to next year

AAP General News (Australia)
12-23-2003
Fed: Diamond case adjourned to next year

Sports authorities say if gold medal shooter MICHAEL DIAMOND misses an Olympics trial
next month, it'll be virtually impossible for him to compete in Athens.

Assault charges against DIAMOND were expected to be finalised today but they've now
been adjourned until next year.

The decision means the Sydney and Atlanta trap shooting champion will not get his firearms
licence back in time for the Olympic trials next month.

NICK SULLIVAN from the Australian Shooting Association says if DIAMOND misses the first
trial it will be virtually impossible for him to amass enough points from the second trial
to win selection for Athens.

Today's adjournment followed a mystery development in the hearing at Queanbeyan Local
Court near Canberra, which neither defence nor prosecution counsel would reveal.

The case has now been adjourned to January the 20th when another hearing date will be set.

DIAMOND is charged with assault causing actual bodily harm against his former girlfriend
and failing to store a firearm properly.

AAP RTV mb/sw/mo/de/gjr/rp

KEYWORD: DIAMOND (CANBERRA)

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