Distinguished former soldier, ex-cop Stephen Wicks fined for drug-driving after eating ‘special meth cookie’

Defence lawyer Matthew Gardiner said the 57-year-old had been at a party the night before where he was offered ‘a special cookie’, which ‘he stupidly consumed’.

Stephen Leslie Chappel Wicks pleaded guilty in the Darwin Local Court to driving with a prohibited drug in his body.

A decorated former soldier and long-serving NT cop has been handed a $500 fine for getting on his Harley after consuming a “special cookie” at a mate’s birthday party.

Stephen Leslie Chappel Wicks pleaded guilty in the Darwin Local Court to drug-driving after he was pulled over at an RBT in Knuckey Lagoon in August and tested positive to methamphetamine.

Defence lawyer Matthew Gardiner said the 57-year-old had been at his friend’s place the night before where he was offered “a special cookie that he was aware contained amphetamine, which he stupidly consumed”.

“The following day after leaving his workplace and not feeling any effects from consuming the cookie the night before, Mr Wicks was stopped by NT Police resulting in this court appearance,” he said.

Mr Gardiner said Wicks had had a “distinguished career” as a senior NCO with the Royal Australian Regiment, earning various medals and a meritorious unit citation before spending 16.5 years in the NT Police Force.

“Mr Wicks is remorseful for his actions and as a former soldier and police officer, he understands the risks of driver impairment and how it impacts all road users,” he said.

The 57-year-old stepped aside from his role as an office bearer with the Veterans Motorcycle Club after he was charged.

Since his retirement, Mr Gardiner said Wicks had been “instrumental in helping current and former serving members of the defence force” after struggling with his own mental health issues, including PTSD.

He said Mr Wicks was until recently an office bearer with the not-for-profit Veterans Motorcycle Club before stepping down after the charge was laid.

In fining Wicks $500 for drug-driving and disqualifying him from driving for the mandatory minimum of three months, judge Julie Franz said there was “no suggestion of you driving under the influence or it impairing you in any way”.

“You were at a party and you took something, took the chance, there’s no suggestion that it was affecting your driving in any way,” she said.
“But as the court knows and people know, it stays in your system for a while.”

Ms Franz said Wicks was “certainly someone who has given to our community over your distinguished career” in the defence and police forces.

“You’re someone who gives back to the community, I’ve heard about your community service through the Veterans motorcycle group,” she said.

“All of those things are valuable and you are a valuable member of our community, in spite of the offending.”

Originally published as Distinguished former soldier, ex-cop Stephen Wicks fined for drug-driving after eating ‘special meth cookie’