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From the Herald Sun
An ugly end for clever crook Stephen Cookson as police confirm head washed up on WA beach is his
Mark Buttler, HeraldSun
January 16, 2013 2:35pm
AN underworld figure whose head recently washed up on a beach once claimed to have studied law with former federal treasurer Peter Costello.
The Herald Sun has been told Stephen Cookson boasted of having been a classmate of the former treasurer at Monash University in the 1970s.
Those who knew the late Victorian said he was extremely intelligent but highly volatile.
The revelation comes as West Australian police today confirmed the head, which was found in a bag by an 11-year-old girl at Rottnest Island, off Perth, earlier this month, was that of the convicted drug trafficker.
A police spokesman said relatives of Cookson based in Victoria has now been informed of his death.
WA police are now trying to work out how and why he was killed and his body dismembered.
Detectives have reportedly already interviewed two men who may have come into contact with bags and property linked to the death.
"Major Crime Squad are conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mr Cookson's death and detectives have spoken to several people and searched a unit in East Perth," police said.
Cookson was well known in racing circles in his adopted home state of Western Australia, and was a huge gambler.
A long-time member of the seamier side of the racing industry in Victoria and WA, Cookson was convicted in WA in 2000 on one count of being in possession of a quantity of heroin with intent to sell or supply.
He unsuccessfully appealed that conviction all the way to the High Court, where the former law student chose to represent himself.
In 2005, Cookson was fined $5000 for improper conduct by WA racing authorities, namely assaulting former horse owner Peter Graham, breaking his nose.
That fine was also appealed unsuccessfully.
A self-appointed "equine consultant", Cookson had been due to appear in WA's District Court this Friday on a charge of possession of methylamphetamine with intent to sell or supply.
Melbourne barrister David O'Doherty, who'd acted for Cookson previously, said he was highly intelligent and well-read.
Mr O'Doherty said Cookson boasted of being a member of Mensa.
While he did not know if this was true, Cookson was clearly intelligent enough to qualify.
Cookson's talent as a legal mind was evident when he represented himself in a successful High Court appeal against a 2000 conviction for being in possession of a quantity of heroin with intent to sell or supply.
Mr O'Doherty said he was a tough client to help and often did not help himself.
His lost teeth, requiring attention from a dental technician, were another stumbling block.
"He had a plate done so he could smile at the jury," Mr O'Doherty said.
An ugly end for clever crook Stephen Cookson as police confirm head washed up on WA beach is his
Mark Buttler, HeraldSun
January 16, 2013 2:35pm
AN underworld figure whose head recently washed up on a beach once claimed to have studied law with former federal treasurer Peter Costello.
The Herald Sun has been told Stephen Cookson boasted of having been a classmate of the former treasurer at Monash University in the 1970s.
Those who knew the late Victorian said he was extremely intelligent but highly volatile.
The revelation comes as West Australian police today confirmed the head, which was found in a bag by an 11-year-old girl at Rottnest Island, off Perth, earlier this month, was that of the convicted drug trafficker.
A police spokesman said relatives of Cookson based in Victoria has now been informed of his death.
WA police are now trying to work out how and why he was killed and his body dismembered.
Detectives have reportedly already interviewed two men who may have come into contact with bags and property linked to the death.
"Major Crime Squad are conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mr Cookson's death and detectives have spoken to several people and searched a unit in East Perth," police said.
Cookson was well known in racing circles in his adopted home state of Western Australia, and was a huge gambler.
A long-time member of the seamier side of the racing industry in Victoria and WA, Cookson was convicted in WA in 2000 on one count of being in possession of a quantity of heroin with intent to sell or supply.
He unsuccessfully appealed that conviction all the way to the High Court, where the former law student chose to represent himself.
In 2005, Cookson was fined $5000 for improper conduct by WA racing authorities, namely assaulting former horse owner Peter Graham, breaking his nose.
That fine was also appealed unsuccessfully.
A self-appointed "equine consultant", Cookson had been due to appear in WA's District Court this Friday on a charge of possession of methylamphetamine with intent to sell or supply.
Melbourne barrister David O'Doherty, who'd acted for Cookson previously, said he was highly intelligent and well-read.
Mr O'Doherty said Cookson boasted of being a member of Mensa.
While he did not know if this was true, Cookson was clearly intelligent enough to qualify.
Cookson's talent as a legal mind was evident when he represented himself in a successful High Court appeal against a 2000 conviction for being in possession of a quantity of heroin with intent to sell or supply.
Mr O'Doherty said he was a tough client to help and often did not help himself.
His lost teeth, requiring attention from a dental technician, were another stumbling block.
"He had a plate done so he could smile at the jury," Mr O'Doherty said.
