Ex-NT Police Senior Sergeant Neil Mellon prepares plea for alleged abuse of office
A former member of the elite TRG and friend of Outback Wrangler Matt Wright said he is prepared to make a plea over multiple counts of alleged abuse of office.
Police & Courts
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A former top Territory cop is preparing to plead to a range of abuse of office charges as the investigation continues into an alleged chopper crash conspiracy that killed a Netflix star.
The long-serving member of the NT Police’s elite Territory Response Group and ex-Senior Sergeant Neil Ryan Mellon appeared before the Darwin Local Court on Friday.
It was expected Mellon would be sentenced, however prosecutor Steve Ledek said more time was needed to prepare sentencing submissions.
Mellon and Remote Helicopter Australia owner Michael Burbidge pleaded guilty in December to destroying evidence in the wake of the chopper crash that killed Outback Wrangler star, Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson two years ago.
Both men admitted to destroying a phone following the crash that killed their friend and severely injured his 28-year-old pilot Seb Robinson.
Their co-accused and reality television star Matt Wright has been committed to face the Supreme Court for allegedly attempting to pervert the course of justice.
Mr Ledek added that another set of 32 charges facing the decorated cop — including disclosure of confidential information, obtaining benefit by deception, firearms and animal offences, stealing, and unlawfully accessing data — was close to “a resolution”.
The former cop was previously also charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice, making a false declaration, however these charges were withdrawn.
Defence lawyer Michael Drury said Mellon was preparing to make a plea to the remaining set of charges, with the next court appearance requiring a half-day hearing.
Ms Fong Lim adjourned the matter to April 30, for a plea and sentencing submissions.
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