Outback Wrangler Matt Wright changes bail to contact Tim Johnston, Rowan Sutton
Outback Wrangler Matt Wright has fought to reduce the 50 people on his non-contact order. See who the reality television star is now allowed to speak to.
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Outback Wrangler Matt Wright has been lassoed into strict new bail conditions requiring him to give police 24-hours notice before travelling interstate.
The Queensland-based reality television star had his bail conditions amended in Darwin Local Court on Thursday.
It has been alleged Wright was part of a conspiracy to cover up evidence in relation to a fatal helicopter crash that claimed the life of his friend, Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson on Feburary 28.
The beloved 34-year-old father and fellow Outback Wrangler star was killed when a Robinson R44 went down during a crocodile egg collecting expedition along the King River, Arnhem Land.
In November, Wright was charged with attempting to pervert the court of justice, destroying evidence, and fabricating evidence.
He was also charged with unlawful entry of a building and dwelling, making a false declaration and making threats in relation to a criminal investigation.
Under his initial bail conditions Wright was barred from contacting 50 people, including Mr Wilson’s widow and parents, the 28-year-old pilot Seb Robinson who was left with critical injuries, and the Territory’s ‘crocodile king’ Mick Burns.
On Thursday a barrister representing Wright successfully removed two people from his non-contact order: his operations manager Tim Johnston and employee Rowan Sutton.
It is understood Mr Sutton worked at Wright’s Top End Safari Camp and was the owner of Rowdy’s Labour and Operator Hire.
Prosecutor Steve Ledek said the changes to Wright’s non-contact order were not opposed, and the bail variation was approved by Judge Alan Woodcock.
Wright will be able to contact Mr Johnston and Mr Sutton, who have no allegations of wrongdoing against them.
The reality television star will also be forced to give police 24-hours notice whenever he plans to leave Queensland for another state or territory for the next three months.
There were previously no reporting conditions for interstate travel in his bail agreement.
Wright was given 24-hours to sign the new bail application at his local Queensland Police station.
Barrister Giles O’Brien-Hartcher said there were other people Wright was hoping to remove from the non-contact list, but these changes were opposed by the prosecution.
“There are other people from that list that we are seeking to have removed,” Mr O’Brien-Hartcher said.
Mr Woodcock said he did not have time to hear the disputed bail changes.
He said there were too many people in the cells following the Christmas break, with 18 bail violation cases and 10 alleged domestic violence order breaches on the Thursday list.
“I think I have 18 people in the cells — we’re backed up,” Mr Woodcock said.
He said the further bail variations should be debated at a later court hearing.
Wright was one of three people allegedly involved in a cover-up relating to the fatal chopper crash, with all three co-accused expected to return to Darwin Local Court on January 25.
Remote Helicopters Australia director Michael Keith Burbidge and former acting senior sergeant Neil Ryan Mellon were also charged in relation to the Arnhem Land crash.
Mellon has been charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice, destroying evidence, making a false declaration, disclosure of confidential information, gaining benefit by unlawfully accessing data and obtaining benefit by deception.
He was also charged with failure to meet firearm storage requirements, possessing a prohibited weapon and fireworks, stealing and possessing a protected animal.
Burbidge was charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice, destroying evidence, making a false declaration and fabricating evidence.
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