Now, he’s had his licence cancelled by the Private Security Personnel Licensing Authority after it found him guilty of misconduct and unsuitable to work in the security industry.
According to the authority’s recently released ruling, Stewart posted an expletive-laden social media post of himself advertising cocaine while wearing his security uniform, while also making gang signs and saying that he is going to “jump back on board with the Mongrel Mob”.
The video was shot in multiple locations and was edited with captions, and at one point, Stewart held a bag of what was supposedly cocaine up to the camera so people could see that it was “snow” he was selling.
Stewart admitted to making the video but claimed he didn’t mean for it to go public, and that the white powder was actually just Panadol and flour.
He said making the video was out of character, and he did it on the spur of the moment while drunk to get back at his former girlfriend.
At a hearing held in January this year, Stewart provided no referees, nor any evidence to support his claim that he neither consumed nor sold drugs, nor that he associated with gangs. He resigned from his recent role rather than being fired.
Authority head Trish McConnell said that while the video was filmed outside of work hours, Stewart was in full uniform with his employer’s company name and logo visible.
“Even if making and posting the video on social media was out of character and to get back at his girlfriend, as Mr Stewart claims, it demonstrates a knowledge and association with both gang and drug culture that is inconsistent with the character and background requirements for security certificate holders,” she said.
“I am also satisfied that a reasonable person would consider Mr Stewart’s behaviour to be disgraceful, wilful and reckless.”
McConnell said that the evidence Stewart did provide indicated he was emotionally fragile and had a problem with alcohol.
“It was clear during the hearing that Mr Stewart is not currently suitable to return to security work,” she said.
“To do so, he needs to address his mental health issues, his problems with alcohol, and end any association with drugs and gangs.”
Stewart’s security licence was cancelled, and if he wants to return to the profession, he must provide a note from his doctor that he is mentally fit, evidence that he’s drug-free and doesn’t associate with any gangs, and a letter of support from any prospective employer confirming that they’re aware of his background.
Jeremy Wilkinson is an Open Justice reporter based in Manawatū, covering courts and justice issues with an interest in tribunals. He has been a journalist for nearly a decade and has worked for NZME since 2022.
