Wayne Wakefield: Why a V8 Supercars driver smiled as he left court despite being sentenced over 18 charges after cops busted him with coke, ecstasy and meth
- In Brisbane Supreme Court after two police actions
- Had been in rehab for drug abuse
- Smiling to the left in court after sentencing
A former V8 Supercars driver and nightclub owner has been released from court on a suspended sentence for drug possession after a more serious drug trafficking charge was dropped.
Wayne Jason Wakefield, 53, pleaded guilty in the Supreme Court in Brisbane on Tuesday to a string of charges relating to two police operations at his homes within a year, starting in May 2020.
Wakefield admitted 18 charges including possessing more than two grams of a dangerous drug, possessing a dangerous drug, breaching an order to access an electronic device and possessing a narcotic drug.
Crown prosecutor Jordan Daniels has dropped the six charges, including one for trafficking in dangerous drugs, which were dropped by Judge Declan Kelly.
According to attorney Anthony Kimmins, Wakefield had been in rehab for drug abuse, which resulted in his business going bankrupt due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Police searched Wakefield and his home on May 19, 2020, and found 4.8 grams of pure MDMA and 1.82 grams of pure cocaine, 0.51 grams of a substance containing methamphetamine and 525.07 grams of GBL, a chemical that converts to the drug GHB when consumed.
According to Judge Kelly, police were alerted to the presence of an envelope outside an apartment building in Brisbane’s inner-city Fortitude Valley on March 23, 2021.
“Earlier that day (Wakefield) had been captured on CCTV dropping the envelope … five clip-seal bags were found, each containing approximately one gram of a substance containing methamphetamine,” Judge Kelly said.
Wayne Jason Wakefield left court smiling after being given a suspended sentence on 18 charges
The former V8 Supercars driver had been taking various drugs when police raided his property
On May 5, 2021, police searched Wakefield’s apartment and found baggies with clips containing 1.08 grams of cocaine, 0.7 grams of crystalline methamphetamine, three vials containing 6.48 grams of pure GHB, and 13.97 grams of morphine.
Police also found a cutting agent used to dilute drugs, a large plate of white powder and a rolled-up $5 bill, two electronic scales, four glass pipes, $500 in cash and $675 in casino chips.
Ms Daniels said Wakefield had the drugs for his own use but some of his offences were made worse by the fact they occurred while he was on bail.
Mr Kimmins said Wakefield had used his 146 days in custody and lengthy period on bail to kick the drugs habit and find full-time employment.
Wayne Wakefield said he felt good as he left court after being given a suspended prison sentence
“I’ve known Mr. Wakefield for a number of years. He seems like a completely different person now,” Mr. Kimmins said.
Judge Kelly said Wakefield had shown genuine remorse.
“Your experience in custody has been incredibly difficult and stressful. It has left you with a determined resolve never to return to custody and to avoid the circumstances which gave rise to your offending,” Judge Kelly said.
He sentenced Wakefield to 15 months in prison, which was to be immediately suspended for a period of 15 months.
Wakefield said he felt “good” when he left the courthouse.