Nine Network’s news Darren Wick boss pleads guilty to driving four times over the limit

Nine Network’s director of news and current affairs has pleaded guilty to driving more than four times over the legal limit following a work party. 

Darren Wick, who has been in the top job of Nine’s news division since 2012, was pulled over on October 16 with a blood alcohol reading of 0.227.

The 58-year-old had just left a work function at the company’s Willoughby offices on Sydney’s lower north shore when he was stopped in his Grand Cherokee model Jeep about 6.30pm. 

He had driven about 1.2km to the corner of Mowbray Road and Penshurst Street while on the 20km journey to his Narrabeen home. 

A police statement of facts said Wick had almost fallen onto the road before being arrested.

The facts state police saw Wick’s Jeep mount the footpath on Willoughby Road before returning to the bitumen then grazing the gutter as he turned left onto Mowbray Road.

He was stopped, breath-tested, arrested and taken to Chatswood police station.

‘In relation to his drinking the accused stated he had consumed one beer and three glasses of white wine whilst at a work function in Willoughby between the hours of 1.15pm and 3.30pm that afternoon,’ the facts said.

‘The accused said that he consumed snacks consisting of spring rolls and san choy bow.

‘It is the opinion of police that the accused was well-affected by intoxicating liquor at the time. This was due to him being unsteady on his feet and needing support to stand or walk on several occasions.

‘When the accused was first asked to exit his vehicle the accused almost fell from the vehicle onto the roadway and whilst waiting to enter the police vehicle the accused held himself steady by holding onto a nearby road sign.’

Wick was due to face Hornsby Local Court on Thursday but his lawyer sent in a letter seeking an adjournment, along with a guilty plea to high range drinking driving. 

Magistrate Louise McManus requested a sentencing assessment report adjourning the matter to January 20. 

In a stunning email sent to staff days after he was arrested, Wick admitted he was struggling with alcoholism and seeking professional help. 

‘Sadly, in a moment of unacceptable madness, I’ve let you down,’ Wick said. 

‘Last Friday evening, I stupidly jumped behind the wheel of my car drunk and attempted to drive home. I was pulled over by police in Willoughby and tested positive to high range drink driving, more than four times over the legal limit.

‘There was no no rational reason for me to do this. And I’ve played the events over in my head repeatedly during the past few days. What made me snap?

‘The answer is that I have face the reality that I have an addiction to alcohol that I have been struggling to control for some time.’

The email said Wick intended to continue on in his role though may be spending more time out of the office.

He urged his colleagues who may also be struggling with an addiction to alcohol to seek support. 

‘I want to make this right. If any of you are considering making the same kind of decision I did, please don’t. Don’t risk it and if you think you have a problem, get help,’ Wick wrote.

Wick said last month he would check into a drug and alcohol rehabilitation clinic for three weeks from October 26. 

Wick told The Daily Telegraph he was committed to working with counsellors on a 12-month program to better understand an illness that had ‘snuck up’ on him. 

‘I need professional help,’ he told the newspaper. ‘I’ve got one shot to get things right. I’m not gonna f*** it up.’

Wick’s ongoing treatment would require him to attend twice-weekly meetings for the next 11 months. 

A Nine Network spokesperson has previously told Daily Mail Australia the company would support Wick.  

‘Darren Wick has done something serious and with significant consequences but we intend to support our friend and colleague as he commits to recovering from this illness and rebuilds his life,’ the spokesperson said.