A suspended police officer has appeared in an Adelaide court accused of being part of a scheme to issue driving licences without conducting road tests.
Scott Charles Applebee, 46, from Adelaide, faced the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Wednesday alongside Sam Wheatley, 50, of Balhannah. Both men are charged with abuse of public office. A third man, Elijah Conrad Ware, 43, of Trott Park, made his first appearance last month.
Mr Applebee, a serving police officer, was suspended from duty after his arrest in March. He and Mr Wheatley appeared in court for the first time on June 3.
Court documents allege that between May and August 2025, the men conspired to issue provisional driving licences improperly. Mr Applebee and Mr Ware are accused of using their positions to obtain a certificate of competency for Benjamin Wilkin, leading to the issuance of a provisional licence, with the intention of receiving payment for vehicle on road tests that were never conducted.
Mr Wheatley's charges involve an incident on May 26, 2025, in Mount Barker, where he and Mr Ware allegedly falsified documents and improperly exercised power or influence.
At the time of the alleged offences, Mr Ware worked as an authorised examiner and driving instructor. Mr Applebee is a police officer, and Mr Wheatley is a state government employee; both also worked as driving instructors.
During the brief hearing, neither man spoke. Magistrate Koula Kossiavelos adjourned the case until October 13, the same date as Mr Ware's next scheduled appearance.
Mr Ware faces 12 separate charges, while Mr Applebee and Mr Wheatley each face two counts.
