Cliff Roger Cicolini, aka Peter Dunstan, to face fraud and theft trial over alleged helicopter heist
A Katherine man who allegedly flew off with a helicopter which was then not found for almost a year is set to face a jury – but has debuted a new name in court. Latest.
Police & Courts
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An alleged chopper fraudster who changed his name will face a month-long Supreme Court trial.
Cliff Roger Cicolini, previously known as Peter Dunstan, was charged with fraud and theft offences after allegedly flying off with a Robinson R22 helicopter in June 2021.
The Katherine region man allegedly paid a deposit for the chopper, but then failed to ever return the aircraft to the Weddell airfield.
Police alleged Cicolini refused to pay the outstanding amount on the helicopter.
Nearly a year after the alleged helicopter heist, police said they tracked down the Robinson R22 at the 50-year-old’s Bradshaw property, approximately 300km south of Weddell.
The then 50-year-old was charged with theft and obtaining benefit by deception, however in the Supreme Court on Tuesday, prosecutors said new charges could be laid.
It was also revealed the man who previously went by Peter Dunstan had changed his name to Cliff Roger Cicolini.
Chief Justice Michael Grant heard that earlier plans to run a one-week trial had blown out, with the legal contest now expected to run for four weeks.
Justice Grant said he would require more time to find a month-long block in the court’s schedule.
He adjourned the matter to a pre-trial hearing on March 21.
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