John Garnard Wilks, of Cromer: Former semi-pro surfer jailed for seventh drink drive conviction

A former Sydney semi-pro surfer who can’t help getting behind the wheel while he’s drunk, has faced his seventh drink drive charge. See what happened in court.

Jason Garnard Wilks, 54, of Cromer, being led into Manly Police Station after being convicted and jailed in Manly Local Court on Thursday, February 1, 2024, for high range drink driving and driving while suspended. Picture: Manly Daily

A habitual Sydney drink driver, convicted for the seventh time for being drunk behind the wheel, has been jailed for the first time.

Former semi-professional surfer Jason Garnard Wilks, 54, of Cromer, who was also caught driving while his licence was suspended, was sentenced in Manly court to 12 months behind bars.

Wilks, a stonemason who runs a landscaping business, even taunted police when he was last arrested for high range drink driving on November 25 last year.

He blew three times over the limit.

Wilks told Dee Why police that he would continue to drive even though they had suspended his licence, Manly Local Court heard on Thursday.

Jason Garnard Wilks, 54, of Cromer, being led into Manly Police Station after being convicted and jailed for high range drink driving and driving while suspended in Manly Local Court. Picture: Manly Daily

He said, according to a police facts sheet tendered to court, that it would be a “game of cat and mouse”.

“You won’t even know what car I’m in,” he told cops.

Magistrate Daniel Reiss said Wilks had an “appalling” driving record and had been convicted numerous times for driving while his licence was disqualified or suspended. He also drove while he was unlicensed, the court heard.

Mr Reiss said Wilks, who was described in court as a “functioning alcoholic”, had shown no regard for previous court orders, police licence suspensions and the law.

“You don’t care,” Mr Reiss told Wilks just before he was taken into custody.

Jason Garnard Wilks, 54, of Cromer, takes his last look at freedom for at least six months. Picture: Manly Daily.

The court was told that Wilks was seen driving his Toyota Land Cruiser out of the car park at the McDonald’s outlet at Beacon Hill at about 12.20am. Police pulled him over after he crossed double white lines while turning into Willandra Rd.

In a submission to the court, his barrister Bronwyn Pullinger wrote that on the night prior to his arrest Wilks had knocked back seven beers at the Brookvale Hotel before he rode his bike home, where he had two bourbon and colas.

About midnight he drove his 4WD 1.5km to the McDonald’s car park because he wanted to buy cigarettes from the neighbouring service station.

Ms Pullinger submitted that Wilks had been coping with a recent traumatic family event.

The court heard that in December, he was caught driving his work ute at Mosman while his licence was suspended.

Jason Garnard Wilks, 54, of Cromer, will appeal the severity of his sentence. Picture: Manly Daily.

“I’ve gotta keep working,” he told police.

Magistrate Reiss sentenced Wilks to 12 months in jail, with a non-parole period of six months, after he convicted him of the high range drink drive offence. He was also jailed for three months for driving while suspended. The sentences will be served concurrently.

Wilks was also disqualified from driving for nine months.

It was Wilks’ fourth time convicted of high range drink driving. He also has two mid-range and one low-range drink drive convictions on his record.

He has appealed the severity of the latest sentence. That appeal will be heard n the Sydney District Court on April 16.