Sentence date set for drug dealer who caused death of bikies in fiery crash

A court has heard of the complex case of a drug dealer who rammed the car of two bikies and caused their deaths in a fiery crash north of Coffs Harbour.

Two men were killed and one woman injured in the crash on the Pacific Highway in 2018.

Armed with a loaded pistol, a South Grafton drug dealer who rammed the car of two bikies and caused their deaths in a fiery crash off the Pacific Highway will soon learn of his fate.

James Kevin Cook has pleaded guilty to two counts of manslaughter over the December 2018 horror smash which killed Nomads gang member Daniel Elliot and associate Jared Ward – as well as a raft of other charges involving drug supply, firearms possession and break and enter.

He made no appearance at Coffs Harbour District Court on Wednesday morning where a date was fixed for what is expected to be a lengthy sentencing.

The prosecution told Judge Jonathan Priestley that it would likely take up to two days due to the “complexity” of the case and the sheer number of charges Cook was facing.

“There’s drugs, firearms, manslaughter and break and enter,” they said.

“...Given the complexity of the proceedings, I would be surprised if your Honour would be able to deliver judgment on the same date.”

Daniel Elliott, 42, a member of the Nomads outlaw motorcycle gang, was killed in a car crash at Glenugie on Sunday, December 9 , 2018.

On the night of December 9, 2018, Cook was involved in a heated argument with the victims before the vehicles – Cook’s Holden Commodore and the victims’ Mitsubishi Lancer – were seen speeding on the Pacific Highway north of Coffs Harbour.

Police said CCTV, dashcam and witness accounts revealed the vehicles were driving erratically, travelling north before turning back south.

Court documents reveal Cook was in possession of a loaded pistol which he used alongside his vehicle to force the Mitsubishi Lancer off the road.

The Mitsubishi Lancer crashed through a fence before rolling several times and catching on fire – killing 42-year-old Grafton man Daniel Elliot and 29-year-old Tucabia man Jared Ward at the scene.

The two men were killed after their vehicle left the road, crashed through a fence, and rolled.

A third passenger, a 39-year-old woman, was flown to the Gold Coast and was left with lifelong injuries.

Cook had left the scene without contacting emergency services.

Detectives established Strike Force Kiowa and arrested Cook in July 2019, charging him with two counts of murder. These were withdrawn and dismissed earlier this month when he pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

Strike Force Kiowa detectives laid further charges on Cook in August 2019 after their investigations uncovered a major drug supply ring in the Grafton region.

Police had raided four homes between Grafton and Halfway Creek where they seized meth, cannabis, cash and weapons. Five people were arrested and Cook was subsequently charged with drug supply.

Cook, who has been remanded in custody since his arrest, has now pleaded guilty to a total of 13 charges. He will appear in person at Coffs Harbour District Court for sentencing on August 26.

It is expected Judge Priestley will likely hand down his judgment the next day.