Balanced News: Disgraced Olympic kayaker denies ‘Thunderbutt’ texts in drug sentence appeal

Former world champion kayaker Nathan Baggaley is appealing his lengthy jail sentence for attempting to import a commercial quantity of drugs. Baggaley denies being the sender of encrypted messages from the username “Thunderbutt,” which were found on a phone located on the inflatable boat used in the drug operation. He claims that the sentencing judge made an error in connecting him to the messages. Baggaley’s younger brother, Dru Baggaley, was sentenced to 28 years as the “principal organiser,” while Nathan Baggaley was sentenced to 25 years. The appeal judges have reserved their decision.