Woman was carjacked, police officer bitten because man was on synthetic stimulant ‘meow meow’, SA court told

A SOUTH Australian man’s crazed carjacking rampage was apparently triggered because he had taken a synthetic drug seven days before.

The car which Aaron Sumner Wilson crashed on the corner of Swanport Rd and Monash St, Murray Bridge. Picture: Tait Schmaal.

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A MAN ingested a synthetic drug known as “meow meow” seven days before he went on a bizarre carjacking rampage during which he bit a police officer, a court has heard.

In the District Court on Monday, Aaron Sumner Wilson apologised for his drug-fuelled spree through Murray Bridge in August last year.

His counsel tendered an expert report showing Wilson was under the influence of the synthetic stimulant mephedrone, also known as “meow meow”.

Judge Paul Muscat said it was greatly concerning that Wilson had ingested the drug seven days before the incident and yet was still affected by it at the time.

“The report certainly reveals he was in a state of drug-induced psychosis — of course, that doesn’t give him a defence (to the charges),” he said.

“But it does highlight how bizarre and irrational someone can become on amphetamine-based drugs.”

Speaking from the dock, Wilson said he agreed.

“I wasn’t mentally competent ... I’ve learned my lesson,” he said.

Wilson, 46, of Murray Bridge, pleaded guilty to driving and theft offences, and to an aggravated count of assault without a weapon.

In August last year, he swerved his bicycle in front of a grey Toyota station wagon, causing it to crash into him.

Wilson then pulled the female driver out of the car, drove off in it and crashed into several other cars and a Stobie pole before his arrest, during which he bit a police officer.

About 660 properties in Murray Bridge were without power for several hours after the incident.

On Monday, the court heard Wilson was not licensed to drive a car at the time, and was now liable to be disqualified from driving for another three years.

Judge Muscat told Wilson that, despite his period in custody, he “will have to do some time” when he is sentenced for his offending.

“In one sense, you’re fortunate that the police have laid these charges and not the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions,” he said.

“If the DPP had laid them, they would likely be more serious.”

He remanded Wilson in custody for sentencing on Wednesday.

WHAT IS MEPHEDRONE?

Mephedrone is a synthetic psychoactive drug known as meow meow, drone, M-CAT or bath salts.

It is chemically similar to compounds found in the khat plant of eastern Africa.

It comes in the form of tablets or a powder, which users can swallow, snort or inject.

The effects are described as similar to MDMA (ecstasy), amphetamines and cocaine.

Side-effects include dilated pupils, poor concentration, teeth grinding, problems focusing visually, poor short-term memory, hallucinations, delusions, and erratic behaviour.

Mephedrone was first synthesised in 1929, but did not become widely known until it was rediscovered in 2003.

By 2007, it was available for sale on the internet and was not prohibited in many countries.

Starting in 2008, many western countries have legislated to make it illegal.

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