Celebrity crocodile wrangler Matt Wright will serve five months in prison for tampering with evidence following a helicopter crash that killed his co-star and paralyzed the pilot.
In August, Wright was convicted of lying to police and pressuring a hospital insider about the fatal 2022 crash in Northern Territory (NT). On Friday, Acting Justice Alan Blow pronounced a 10-month prison sentence, with half being served in custody. Wright was also fined A$5,000 ($3,300; £2,500).
Justice Blow stated that Wright had 'shown no remorse' but believed he was unlikely to reoffend in the future. The maximum possible jail term for the charges could have been 15 years.
The court trial revealed shocking details surrounding the helicopter industry in NT, including the common practice of falsifying flight hour records to evade rigorous maintenance checks. Wright’s concerns about his involvement in such practices were noted as a motive for his actions.
Wright's celebrity status as the face of National Geographic's 'Outback Wrangler' and Netflix's 'Wild Croc Territory' puts a spotlight on the case, which has shocked the community where he was revered as an idol.
Defence lawyers indicated plans to appeal the guilty verdicts. With the jury divided on a third charge regarding Wright asking someone to destroy evidence, this remains under judicial review.
