Celebrity crocodile wrangler Matt Wright has been sentenced to 10 months in prison, suspended after five months, for attempting to interfere with an investigation into a fatal helicopter accident three years ago.
Wright was convicted on two counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice in August following a month-long Northern Territory Supreme Court trial.
The charges relate to attempts by Wright to obstruct an investigation into a fatal chopper crash in remote Arnhem Land in 2022, which killed his friend and co-star Chris “Willow” Wilson and seriously injured pilot Sebastian Robinson.
Wright was not alleged to be responsible for causing the crash itself.
Matt Wright’s supporters, including his wife Kaia Wright and lawyer Luke Officer, leaving court after his sentencing. (ABC News: Michael Franchi)
Count one relates to a lie Wright told police during a recorded interview four days after the accident about how much fuel he thought the chopper had left.
Count two relates to a visit Wright made to the critically injured pilot where he asked him to falsify helicopter records.
Wright has been on bail and unable to leave the NT since the verdict.
 Crown prosecutors Kate Thomas and Jason Gullaci SC led the prosecution against Matt Wright. (ABC News: Michael Franchi)
In his sentencing remarks, Acting Justice Alan Blow said Wright was aware that his pilots under-recorded flying hours.
He also found it was “highly likely” the crashed helicopter had exceeded the maximum number of flying hours before requiring a complete maintenance overhaul.
“It is highly likely that on 28 February, [the crashed helicopter] VH-IDW had exceed 2,200 hours’ total time in service and should not have been flying,” Justice Blow said.
“You had reason to fear that a thorough investigation would reveal that the 2,200 hours limit had been exceeded.”
Family and friends of pilot Sebastian Robinson, who was seriously injured in the chopper crash, were in court for Matt Wright’s sentencing. (ABC News: Michael Franchi)
Regarding count one, Acting Justice Blow found Wright’s “primary motive” for lying to police in the recorded interview after the crash was to “protect” the chopper pilot from being prosecuted over the accident.
“In my view, protecting Mr Robinson was your primary motive for twice telling police there was fuel in the tank,” he said.
“You lied to protect a mate … your lies were spontaneous and unplanned.”
The judge also said he was “satisfied on the balance of probabilities” that the crashed chopper did not run out of fuel, accepting an argument pressed by the prosecution during the trial.Â
“In my view, although your answers to police about the state of fuel were dishonest, they were consistent with the truth,” he said.
“I believe the true situation was there was fuel in the tank when the engine stopped.”
Barrister David Edwardson KC represented Matt Wright. (ABC News: Michael Franchi)
The judge said count two was a “much more serious charge”.
“That was a serious attempt to pervert the course of justice, or at least a more serious one that count one,” he said.
“You asked [Mr Robinson] to falsify recorded flight hours in his maintenance release to show [Mr Robinson’s helicopter] ZXZ had flown flights in fact flown by IDW.”
“You had the callousness to make and pursue this request when Mr Robinson had recently come out of a coma and had just learned he may never walk again.”
“It was the worst possible time to put any pressure on him — he was heavily medicated and very vulnerable.”
The judge acknowledged Wright had been the subject of “unfair” scrutiny through the media and online and said his reputation has suffered “more than it should”.
In sentencing the 46-year-old, Acting Justice Blow also acknowledged the need for community deterrence, and said while Wright had shown “no remorse”, it was unlikely he would reoffend.
On count one, Acting Justice Blow ordered Wright to pay a $5,000 fine.
On count two, he imposed a term of imprisonment for 10 months, suspended after five, saying the second charge was a more serious attempt to pervert the course of justice.
This morning, the Netflix star arrived at court stony-faced and surrounded by supporters, including his wife, Kaia Wright, and his legal team.
Matt Wright is in Darwin for sentencing, supported by his wife, Kaia Wright, and legal team. (ABC News: Michael Franchi)
There was barely an empty seat in the court room during the proceedings, with a large contingent of family members and friends of pilot Sebastian Robinson, who survived the 2022 crash, also present.
Mr Wilson’s widow, Danielle Wilson, was not present in court today.Â