Travel influencer Jaylie Bonow cops fine after pleading guilty to fraud, accessing private computer

A travel influencer who attracted headlines after she posted about feeding a 4-metre crocodile has avoided jail after pleading guilty to fraud and accessing a private computer while working for Queensland Health.

Brisbane-born travel influencer Jaylie Bonow goes by Jaylie Tori online and has more than 108,000 Instagram followers. Photo: Instagram (@jaylietori).

A travel influencer has avoided jail after pleading guilty to misusing a government system to get other people’s drivers licence and mobile phone details at the request of her then-boyfriend, a court has heard.

Jaylie Bonow, who goes by Jaylie Tori online and has more than 108,000 Instagram followers, was sentenced in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday, but she did not make the trip to face the consequences in person, instead dialling in by phone from interstate.

After a delay of several hours, the 28-year-old was allowed to appear via phone and the matter could proceed, but it prompted Magistrate Ross Mack to quip during the sentencing hearing when Ms Bonow’s lawyer was detailing factors in her client’s favour: “She didn’t bother coming here though, so it’s not all good news.”

Jaylie Bonow did not appear in court in person.

Ms Bonow was born in Brisbane but now lives in Western Australia, which is where she phoned in from on Monday.

Her social media taglines include “just out here bloody livin (sic)” and “inspiring you to make the most of your time”. She documents her travels around the country in her Toyota LandCruiser.

Ms Bonow pleaded guilty to one count each of fraud and accessing a restricted computer.

While working for Queensland Health at Chermside on August 24, 2017, she illegally used a restricted Queensland Health computer without the department’s consent.

She further admitted to illegally obtaining and using three other people’s Queensland drivers licences in order to allegedly commit the computer access offence.

Solicitor Chelsea Waters of Guest Lawyers, representing Ms Bonow, conceded that her client’s conduct was “dishonest” and resulted in “serious charges”, but highlighted to the court that Ms Bonow had no previous criminal history.

“The offending is while she was employed by Queensland Health, she has used that employment to gain access to the mobile phones and provided details onto her partner, her boyfriend at the time,” Ms Waters said.

“But Ms Bonow has owned up to that offending without being asked or there being an investigation, she went and presented herself, and in my submission that is a show of good character.”

Ms Waters asked for a good behaviour bond or fine for her client.

“She is in good employment now so there is no issue with paying a fine … she has indicated she will pay it immediately and is very remorseful,” the court heard.

In sentencing, Magistrate Ross Mack noted Ms Bonow’s “extreme co-operation” and “remorse” for the offending.

“I suppose this is one of those live and learn things isn’t it?” he said to the 28-year-old over the phone.

“You might have succumbed to some pressure from a violent man, but still, you had a choice, and you made the wrong choice.”

“This part of your life is now finished Ms Bonow, you can go about the rest of your life with this behind you.”

The Department of Environment is continuing to investigate Ms Bonow’s claims about feeding a crocodile in Far North Queensland. Picture: Instagram (@jaylietori).

Ms Bonow was fined $3000 in total for both charges, but convictions were not recorded.

Following her first court appearance in Brisbane in October on these charges, for which she did appear in person, Ms Bonow posted to her followers.

However, in the video, she claimed her court appearance was related to a previous boast about feeding a roast chicken to a four-metre saltwater crocodile on the banks of the Russell River near Babinda in North Queensland.

“I walked out of court this morning and was greeted by Nine News. I’m probably going to be on television tonight … yea … regarding the croc incident.

“So if you don’t know, which a lot of people didn’t know, that feeding crocs is illegal in Queensland – in fact it’s illegal in the whole of Australia – here is your warning: don’t do what I did. Not only is it illegal it is f---en dumb.”

The Department of Environment confirmed on Monday that its investigation remains “open and ongoing” into Ms Bonow’s claims regarding crocodile feeding, and no action has been taken.