Former Richmond forward Jake King has escaped conviction, and has been hit with a 12-month good behaviour bond instead despite threatening to break someone's legs.

King was also asked to make a $5000 donation to charity, following an incident involving ex-teammate Tyrone Vickery late last year.

King threatened a man who allegedly ripped off Vickery, and was caught on tape making threats.

He pleaded guilty to possessing testosterone and also to making a threat to cause serious injury, but the Magistrate said King had "misguided loyalty."

However, King was let off after glowing reference by a number of Richmond greats, including Dustin Martin, Matthew Richardson, Brendon Gale and ex-Richmond president Gary March.