Ex-NT Police officer Neil Mellon blocked from contacting former Miss Universe runner up Narelle Jose
The cop charged over an Outback Wrangler star’s fatal chopper crash has been blocked from contacting a former swimsuit model under strict new bail conditions.
Police & Courts
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An ex top cop allegedly embroiled in a helicopter crash conspiracy has blocked himself from contacting a Miss Universe Australia runner-up.
Former Acting Senior Sergeant Neil Ryan Mellon is one of three people who allegedly interfered with a fatal West Arnhem chopper crash investigation on February 28.
Reality television star Matt Wright and Remote Helicopters Australia director Michael Keith Burbidge and Mellon were all charged in relation to the crash that killed Outback Wrangler Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson.
Mellon faces more than 30 allegations, ranging from evidence destruction and attempting to pervert the course of justice to wildlife, firearms and fireworks offences.
On Thursday the Darwin Local Court amended his bail conditions to add another name to his long list of non-contact orders, former beauty pageant contestant Narelle Jose.
Prosecutor Steve Ledek told Judge David Woodroffe that Mellon had asked for the bail changes.
“It’s not controversial. It’s a by consent variation to bail,” Mr Ledek said.
“Mr Mellon is requesting an additional person is added to the list of prescribed persons.”
Mr Ledek also clarified with the court that Mellon could contact Moroak Station owner and manager Simon Hoar for business and employment reasons only.
It is understood Narelle Jose, formerly Minchin, was friends with Mellon’s wife, NT Police Senior Sergeant Sandi Mellon.
Ms Jose represented the Territory and was the second runner up in the 2005 Miss Universe Australia beauty pageant.
The then 20-year-old beauty queen was also the Ralph Australian Swimwear Model of the Year in 2004.
There is no allegation of wrongdoing against Ms Jose or Mr Hoar.
In his last court appearance, Mellon was warned he could be facing additional charges before Christmas.
In early December Mr Ledek said new evidence would result in a fresh charge in relation to the allegations of attempting to pervert the course of justice, destroying evidence and making a false declaration.
It is understood those charges were still expected, but were not filed with the court for his latest hearing.
Before the ex-top cop’s bail conditions could be addressed on Thursday, one judge was forced to remove the hearing from his list.
Judge Alan Woodcock recused himself from the case because of his friendship with Mellon.
“I am not to handle this in any substantive (way),” Mr Woodcock said.
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.
Wright faces seven charges: attempting to pervert the course of justice, destroying evidence, fabricating evidence, unlawfully entering a building, unlawfully entering a dwelling, making a false declaration and making threats or reprisals involving a criminal investigation.
Burbidge was charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice, destroying evidence, making a false declaration and fabricating evidence.
All three co-accused’s hearings will return to Darwin Local Court on January 25.
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