Michael Burbidge pleads guilty to destroying evidence after chopper crash that killed Chris Wilson

Prosecutor Steve Ledek asked that the details of the offending be suppressed to ‘preserve the state of the evidence’ against Outback Wrangler star Matt Wright in the Supreme Court.

Remote Helicopters Australia owner Michael Burbidge has pleaded guilty to one count of destroying evidence relating to the aftermath of a chopper crash that killed Netflix star Chris “Willow” Wilson last year.

In entering the plea, Burbidge formally admitted to destroying a mobile phone with the intent to prevent it being used in a court proceeding while knowing it might be required as evidence.

In withdrawing three other charges of attempting to pervert the course of justice, making a false declaration and fabricating evidence, prosecutor Steve Ledek also successfully applied for the agreed facts to be suppressed from publication.

Mr Ledek said the non-publication order was necessary so as not to contaminate proceedings against Burbidge’s co-accused, Matt Wright, now due in the Supreme Court next month.

“There are proceedings that were committed earlier today, that have been committed for trial, and until that position resolves this statement of facts will be part of the evidence in relation to those proceedings,” he said.

“So that we don’t jeopardise and we do preserve the state of the evidence, so there isn’t any outside comment or opinion formed about how these facts fit into that particular narrative or the Crown case there.

Michael Burbidge arrives at the Darwin Local Court on Thursday. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“We’re seeking that in the interests of justice and the administration of justice, that prohibition on publication of those facts be made for the temporary period between now and those matters concluding in the Supreme Court or at some other time as the parties agree.”

Mr Ledek also supported an application by Burbidge’s lawyer Matthew Johnston that the case be adjourned until February for sentencing.

“There are a number of things that we still need to collate and to obtain,” Mr Ledek said.

“They obviously relate to victim impact statements relative to the events that are the subject of the agreed facts, also to ensure that the criminal history that we’ll be tendering is updated and correct.”

Remote Helicopter pilot Michael Keith Burbidge leave Darwin Local Court on Thursday. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Mr Johnston also argued the suppression order be extended to his client’s plea, saying reporting of it could “lead to speculation as to the circumstances of entering the plea”.

“There’ll be, undoubtedly, media reporting on the fact that a plea was entered and in the terms of the charge and particulars that have been read out,” he said.

“If we’re creating a non-publication order for the facts, there’s not a lot of difference between the actual conduct that’s relied upon in the facts and the plea itself — I would have thought the two overlap.”

But in adjourning the case until February 29, judge Tanya Fong Lim said “I’m not with you on that” and declined to extend the order.

Originally published as Michael Burbidge pleads guilty to destroying evidence after chopper crash that killed Chris Wilson