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GOLD COAST - A judge has fined former world boxing champion Jeff Fenech $A750 ($NZ890) for his "stupid and irrational" theft of two watches from a Gold Coast boutique.
Fenech, 43, today pleaded guilty in Southport District Court to one count of stealing two watches valued at a total of $A221.
No conviction was recorded against him.
The court was told Fenech stole the designer watches on December 27, 2005.
Fenech's associate, Francis Grech, pleaded guilty to one count of stealing at the time and was fined $A750, with no conviction recorded.
Judge Fleur Kingham told the court Fenech's behaviour was "stupid and irrational".
Speaking outside the court, Fenech said it had been a "tough time" for him and his family.
"It's been a very, very tough time for me," he said.
"To be honest, I just want to get on a plane and go home and spend some quality time with my little girls and my son and my wife.
"People don't always look at you the way they should but I've made a mistake and, hopefully, I've paid for it."
He said he hoped to be remembered for his charity work and not "something stupid".
"Hopefully, people remember Jeff Fenech for all the good things I've done for charity and not this stupid little misdemeanour and just being in the wrong place at the wrong time," he said.
He said his children had faced a hard time at school since the case began.
- AAP
