JAIL FOR CORRUPT FORMER DETECTIVE

A LONG-term member of Victoria's major crime squad and the man who bribed
him were jailed yesterday. The bribes were paid to gain access to a police
chemical compound in what a judge described as corruption of a high level.

Justice George Hampel jailed former policeman, Kevin John Hicks, 45, for 7
years, ordering him to serve at least five years before he is eligible for
parole.

He sentenced the man Hicks let into the police drugs compound at Attwood for
more than a year, Peter Pilarinos, also 45, to 8 years, setting him a
non-parole period of six years.

Justice Hampel told Hicks: "The bribery offence in your case reflects
corruption of a high level.

"Not only were you a long-serving experienced police officer but you were
placed in a special position of trust at the drugs store facility," the
judge said.

He rejected claims from either accused that the other had the whip hand in
the bribery relationship.

"Both the giver and the receiver are equally corrupt and should be treated
as such."

He told Hicks: "The sentence must act as an emphasis to those in positions
of trust in the situation that you were that receiving of bribes,
particularly for theft of drugs from police stores for illegal drug
manufacture will not be tolerated."

Justice Hampel told Pilarinos there was a similar need in his case to send a
message that corruption by a member of the public, particularly in the area
of drugs involving a police officer, would not be tolerated.

The judge said he had taken into account the pleas of guilty by both
prisoners.

Hicks, of Lima East, near Benalla, and Pilarinos, of St Clems Rd, Doncaster
East, each pleaded guilty to one count of theft, one of burglary and one
count of bribery.

Pilarinos also pleaded guilty to one count of trafficking in
methylamphetamine.

Justice Hampel said he had also taken into account that they would have to
serve their jail terms in protective custody - Hicks because he was a
policeman for 23 years and Pilarinos because he had decided to give
information to police about other crimes.

The judge noted that Pilarinos had already received death threats in jail
and had become fearful for his life as well as for the welfare of his
family.

The court heard that while attached to the drug squad, Hicks received
thousands of dollars in bribes from Pilarinos, mostly at meetings at a Greek
restaurant in Fitzroy from January 21, 1992 to May 15, 1993.

The prosecution has claimed Hicks:

TIPPED off Pilarinos to police drug investigations.

STOLE drug squad evidence against Pilarinos.

ARRANGED secret drop-offs of drug chemicals stolen from the Attwood
compound.

PROVIDED Pilarinos with chemical manuals on how to make amphetamines.