Celebrity Chef Colin Fassnidge Faces Magistrate’s Wrath Following Cocaine-Related Driving Offense in Sydney

The 52-year-old judge from “My Kitchen Rules” was pulled over for a routine drug and alcohol test on November 8 while driving on Malabar Road in South Maroubra, located in eastern Sydney.

Accompanied by his wife in court on Wednesday, Fassnidge admitted to driving with an illicit drug in his system, pleading guilty to the charge.

Magistrate Jacqueline Milledge expressed her disapproval, condemning the chef for using illegal drugs given their detrimental effects on society as a whole.

Magistrate Jacqueline Milledge criticised the celebrity for using illicit substances despite their negative impact on the wider community.

‘You’ve only got to turn on the TV to see that people are being killed in our streets, homes are being firebombed, cars are being firebombed, homes are being shot up,’ she said.

‘That’s the dirty, filthy reality of the drug industry.’

 While Fassnidge accepted cocaine was in his blood at the time two tests were conducted on November 8, his solicitor Bryan Wrench said its effects had worn off and the chef was not putting other drivers in danger by being on the roads. 

The court it was Fassnidge’s second time before the court for the same matter after copping a fine for the same offence in 2022.

Celebrity chef Colin Fassnidge (above) admitted to driving while cocaine was present in his system on November 8

He claimed the last four months of his life had been extremely difficult.

‘He’s lost sponsors as a consequence of this, he’s put everything on the line, he will never do this again,’ Fassnidge’s lawyer, Mr Wrench, said.

Mr Wrench added his client was trying to ‘redeem himself’.

‘Why didn’t he redeem himself in 2022?’ Ms Milledge asked.

Mr Wrench advocated for a good behaviour bond, arguing the devastating consequences signalled his client would never repeat his offending.

The chef has lost sponsorships and his television series in New Zealand has been suspended with many crew members at risk of losing their jobs, he said.

‘He is capable of redemption,’ Mr Wrench said. ‘He’s not getting away scot-free.’

When asked why he deserved another chance after failing to redeem himself the first time, the Better Homes and Gardens presenter said he did not shy away from the consequences and had actively sought help.

Fassnidge (centre) was sentenced to a two-year good behaviour bond

‘I’m disappointed in myself,’ he told the court.

‘It’s been four months of hell for myself and my family.’

Ms Milledge found his support for the drug industry was at odds with his social conscience and his ‘magnificent’ contribution to the community through extensive charity work.

She reminded the chef that many people look to him to lift their spirits and warned him not to use cocaine as a ‘release valve’ for his own struggles.

‘You’ve got a lot to lose and when you lose, so does everyone else who’s invested in you,’ the magistrate said.

She declined to record a conviction and sentenced Fassnidge to a two-year good behaviour bond, noting the impact of his actions on his life and family.

‘You have had a prolonged sentence, there’s no doubt about that,’ Ms Milledge said.