Waverley court registrar Craig Cooke charged with possession of party drug

Senior public servant Craig Cooke spiralled into deep depression and began using drugs following a tragic incident in his life, a court has heard.

Craig Cooke leaves Downing Center on Wednesday. Picture: John Grainger

The tragic set of circumstances that led the boss of a busy NSW courthouse down the road of illegal substance use have been laid bare in a court hearing that culminated in a magistrate dismissing his drug charge on mental health grounds.

Craig William Cooke, a long-time employee of the NSW Department of Communities and Justice, who most recently held the position of registrar at Waverley Local Court, was charged with a single count of possessing a prohibited drug last October, after police found him with 15ml of liquid ecstasy while investigating an unrelated matter at a house in Sydney.

According to court documents, Cooke immediately admitted the substance was illegal, telling officers it was ‘G’ — a slang term for all forms of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid and their derivatives.

Cooke faced the Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday where he applied through his lawyer, Danny Eid, to have the charge dismissed under mental health grounds.

The court heard Cooke’s mental health deteriorated and he turned to drug use after falling into a state of extreme depression following the unexpected death of his husband in 2021, which Magistrate Gareth Christofi accepted had “profoundly” impacted him.

Craig Cooke left and lawyer Danny Eid outside court. Picture: John Grainger

“He has been unable to return to work since then,” he said, citing a psychological report tendered to the court in support of the application.

“He experienced depression, sleeplessness, lack of motivation, mood fluctuations, impulsivity and an increased dependence on alcohol.

“He started using methamphetamine and GHB … as a form of self medication to deal with his depression.”

The court heard Cooke’s partner had become unwell in June 2021, and received a terminal diagnosis in August that year. He passed away less than three months later, in November.

Magistrate Christofi said since his arrest, Cooke had sought help from medical professionals including his GP and psychologists.

He said Cooke had been diagnosed with a bereavement-related disorder, but was now on medication to help alleviate his symptoms, and had been abstinent from drugs.

In agreeing to dismiss the charge on mental health grounds, Magistrate Christofi said Cooke was a prime candidate for such an order.

“Mr Cooke is not somebody who has ever been before the criminal justice system before, and it’s unlikely he ever will be again,” he said.

“His criminal offending is to be seen very much in the light of his [grief].”

The department declined to comment when contacted by The Daily Telegraph.

“As this matter is before the court, it would be inappropriate to make comment,” a DCJ spokesperson said.