There’s a bizarre twist in a Western Australia homicide investigation, police announced on Saturday.
Former WA Nationals candidate Benjamin Simpkins has been charged with three fraud offences, which police say they uncovered following an alleged hit-run in Katanning, in WA’s Great Southern.
Former WA Nationals candidate Benjamin Simpkins has been charged with three fraud offences, which police say they uncovered following an alleged hit-run in Katanning. 9News
The 26-year-old is accused of hitting high school teacher Luke Russell with his car in May and leaving him for dead.
The former WA Nationals candidate was charged with failing to report the incident and driving with a suspended license.
Police allege he looked up “obligations after a crash” before deleting his search history and it’s claimed he was seen cleaning his car the following day.
Simpkins is now accused of falsely claiming to hold a university degree and giving incorrect information to the Supreme Court.
The 26-year-old is accused of hitting high school teacher Luke Russell with his car in May and leaving him for dead. 9News
It’s alleged he used falsified academic records to work as a cardiac scientific officer at a WA hospital.
Police allege he also lied about volunteer work and used fake documents in an attempt to study at universities.
He’s been charged with one count of each: attempted to pervert the course of justice, gains benefit by fraud; and with intent to defraud utters a forged record.
The 26-year-old remains behind bars and will face court again next month.