JAIL FOR FORMER DETECTIVE

A corrupt former policeman who gave a drug trafficker keys to a police
storage compound was jailed yesterday for seven-and-a-half years.

Justice George Hampel fixed a five-year minimum for a former drug
squad detective, Kevin John Hicks, 45, describing his bribery as
"corruption of a high level".

A confessed drug trafficker, Peter Pilarinos, 45, who regarded Hicks
as his police source, was jailed for eight-and-a-half years, with a
six-year minimum.

Justice Hampel said in the Supreme Court that the amount paid in
bribes was never revealed, but Hicks, a police property officer in
charge of the compound, regularly met Pilarinos and discussed the
removal of chemicals.

When Pilarinos came under notice during a 1992 drug squad
investigation into illegal drug manufacture, Hicks took an interest,
but dishonestly maintained that he did not know him.

Hicks had been given money for providing access to the facility and
advising Pilarinos and his group about police investigations, Justice
Hampel said.

He said Hicks had told Pilarinos he was under investigation, and
continued to meet other group members when Pilarinos went overseas.
Pilarinos was present at several thefts from the drug compound,
Justice Hampel said.

"Not only were you a long-serving, experienced police officer, but you
were placed in a special position of trust at the drugs storage
facility," Justice Hampel told Hicks.

"Your bribe-taking was not an isolated event, and because of your
association with Pilarinos and others, you must be taken to have known
that the purpose of the thefts was for illicit drug manufacture and
trafficking."

Hicks, of Lima East, near Benalla, had pleaded guilty to charges of
bribery, theft and burglary in 1992 and 1993. Pilarinos, of St Clems
Road, Doncaster, pleaded guilty to bribing Hicks, amphetamine
trafficking, burglary and theft.

Justice Hampel said Pilarinos would be given credit for putting
himself at risk by making a statement about police corruption to the
ethical standards division.

Pilarinos' counsel, Brian Cash, told the court court that Pilarinos
was in protective custody, and it appeared there was a contract on his
life.