The Snitch: DPP Sally Dowling SC injured in horse fall

What happened when a horse didn’t walk with a member of the NSW Bar? What did we learn about the dark arts of funding a defence case? And which politician avoided some bad karma? The Snitch is here.

DPP Sally Dowling SC took a tumble while riding one of her horses. Picture: Gaye Gerard

It wasn’t exactly a horse walking into the NSW Bar. But we’re told the state’s chief prosecutor Sally Dowling SC missed a spell at work recently after taking a tumble from one of her beloved horses.

The quick to charge prosecutor, who is firmly back in the job saddle after a lengthy stoush with a group of District Court judges, apparently injured her shoulder during a ride at her regional property.

It’s not clear if she was about to take a jump when the incident happened. Rather than stirrup trouble by guessing, we made hay and attempted to clear this up.

But a spokeswoman for Ms Dowling was a neigh-sayer and met the questions with a long face.

“The NSW ODPP declines to comment, however we can confirm Director Sally Dowling SC is at work,” the spokeswoman said.

Back in the saddle: Sally Dowling SC. Picture: Dan Himbrechts

We’re told the incident happened around Anzac Day and required the DPP’s 2IC Frank Veltro to hoof it into HQ for a gallop in the top job while Ms Dowling was recovering.

Ms Dowling has long been a horse enthusiast, and travelled to the Paris Olympics to take in the equine events.

As for the offending horse, Snitch understands Ms Dowling has decided to take no further proceedings — which could be a first.

FOLLOW THE MONEY

A court judgment published this week has shed light on how criminals fund their legal defences.

Step forward big-time tax fraudster Adam Cranston, who is serving more than a decade in jail for his role in a $105 million tax ripoff.

But during a NSW Supreme Court hearing leading up to Cranston’s 2023 trial, the question emerged of how he would pay a $200,000 bill to his legal team.

In demand: Adam Cranston

Cranston, who was arguing for an adjournment, was supposed to have no money after his ill-gotten gains were seized by police.  

According to the judgment, a businessman came forward and told the court he was prepared to pay Cranston’s legal bill, despite having only recently met him.

The move raised big questions about what could possibly have motivated such an act of generosity.

The businessman told the NSW Supreme Court that he was prepared to give Cranston the money as an incentive bonus as part of an attempt to entice the tax cheat to work as an executive in his business.

Guess who wasn’t convinced? The judge hearing the case. 

Justice Robert Beech-Jones rejected the explanation, calling it “inherently implausible”.

“The far more likely scenario is that … (the businessman) was only promising funds for Mr Cranston’s legal expenses that in substance were originally contributed by, or at least connected to, Mr Cranston in some way,” Justice Beech-Jones told the court. 

“To the extent that it is necessary, I am satisfied on the balance of probabilities that it is the case,” the judge told the court.

While giving evidence, the businessman strongly denied the accusation that he had funnelled Cranston’s money to his lawyers.

He was not charged or accused of any wrongdoing.

GOOD SHARMA

Liberal Senator Dave Sharma avoided bad karma last week by fessing up to a parking fine.

The eastern suburbs-based federal politician was listed to face Waverley Local Court on May 13 to answer to an offence described as “failing to pay for parking” or “obeying instructions on a sign”.

According to court records, Sharma played the long game well. Instead of fronting up to argue, he offered a written plea of guilty.

He was ordered to pay a $50 fine, which is likely cheaper than any legal parking in Sydney’s east.

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