Outback Wrangler star Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson’s widow to give testimony in sentence of chopper pilot Michael Burbidge

Outback Wrangler star Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson’s widow has asked to give her victim impact statement directly to the judge ahead of a chopper pilot’s sentence.

The widow of a Netflix star killed in a horror remote chopper crash is expected to give evidence against her dead husband’s mate.

Danielle Wilson has asked the Darwin Local Court if she could give her victim impact statement directly to Judge Tanya Fong Lim before a sentence was handed down against Remote Helicopter Australia owner Michael Burbidge.

Burbidge, along with Netflix star Matt Wright and ex-Territory cop Neil Mellon, was charged in relation to an alleged conspiracy to cover up evidence in relation to the crash that killed the father-of-two and Outback Wrangler star Chris ‘Willow’ Wilson.

Helicopter pilot Michael Burbidge, former police officer Neil Mellon, and Outback Wrangler star Matt Wright.

Burbidge pleaded guilty to one count of destroying evidence in December.

He was expected to be sentenced on Thursday — exactly two years and one day after Mr Wilson was killed after a Robinson R44 crashed into a croc-filled paperbark swamp at the King River, West Arnhem in 2022.

The Outback Wrangler Mat Wright's helicopter pilot friend Michael Burbidge (pictured left with his wife Jade) as he left the Darwin Local Court on Thursday. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

However, Ms Fong Lim allowed the sentencing submissions hearing to be pushed back a week so Ms Wilson could prepare her statement.

The court heard a heavy suppression order around the case had barred the grieving victim from accessing the agreed facts to Burbidge’s case.

Prosecutor Steve Ledek said she knew the “broad brushstrokes” details about what Burbidge did, however did not know the full extent of his plea.

Dani Wilson with Ted and Austin at Noonamah Rodeo 2022. Picture: (A)manda Parkinson

“That is a proper impediment to a proper presentation about how she feels about how the criminal conduct affects her,” Mr Ledek said.

He said Ms Wilson had requested to read her statement directly to the judge via a video link.

On Thursday Burbidge’s lawyer Matthew Johnston also provided evidence “trauma” had clouded his client’s actions in the wake of the crash.

“In circumstances of stress and grief there can be an impact on someone’s decision making,” Mr Johnston said.

Next Friday’s sentencing hearing is expected to feature a clash over the appropriate sentence for the phone’s destruction.

The Outback Wrangler Mat Wright's helicopter pilot friend Michael Burbidge (pictured left with his wife Jade) as he left the Darwin Local Court on Thursday. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

While Mr Johnston has characterised the act as a low-level example of the destruction of evidence, Mr Ledek said a custodial sentence “of some form” was required.

“(It) is the one thing that may have been vital to determining everything in the lead up to this fatal crash,” Mr Ledek said.

“This has to be a part of the administration of justice process … to say ‘this is important’.”

Ms Fong Lim said while it was unknown what was on that destroyed mobile, she had to consider the potential weight of that evidence.

Mr Johnston also pushed for the sweeping suppression order to be lifted, as insurance companies were refusing to accept the pilot because they believed he pleaded to destroying aviation equipment — rather than a phone.

Ms Fong Lim agreed to lift the suppression order after his sentence was handed down on Friday, March 8.