Celebrity crocodile wrangler Matt Wright will spend five months in prison for tampering with evidence after a helicopter crash that killed his co-star and left the pilot a paraplegic.
In August, the former Netflix star was found guilty of lying to police and pressuring a hospitalized witness after the 2022 crash in the Northern Territory (NT).
On Friday, Acting Justice Alan Blow handed Wright a 10-month prison term, which will be suspended after he has served half of it. He was also fined A$5,000 ($3,300; £2,500).
Justice Blow stated that Wright had shown no remorse but was very unlikely to reoffend in any significant way in the future. The maximum sentence for his charges was 15 years in prison.
The jury could not agree on a verdict for a third charge that alleged Wright asked someone to torch evidence.
Wright's lawyers indicated previously that they planned to appeal the guilty verdicts.
The judge pointed to mitigating factors in deciding the length of his jail term, such as his contribution to the community and impressive character references.
The NT Supreme Court case centered around a helicopter crash in February 2022 in Arnhem Land, about 500km (310 miles) east of Darwin.
Wright's friend and Outback Wrangler co-star Chris Willow Wilson, who was suspended from the chopper in a sling during a crocodile egg harvesting trip, was killed. The pilot Sebastian Robinson suffered serious injuries, including punctured lungs and a severe brain injury.
Wright, not being in the helicopter at the time, was one of the first people to arrive at the crash site. Prosecutors presented that Wright lied about the fuel level of the helicopter's tank to cover up his involvement in the crash.
Evidence also included secret recordings that contradicted his claims about the helicopter's fuel tank levels during police interviews.
The jury found him guilty on two main charges concerning his deceptive actions after the crash.
The trial exposed widespread malpractice within the NT's helicopter community, revealing a culture of falsifying records to bypass maintenance regulations.
Before the sentencing, prosecutor Jason Gullaci SC emphasized the seriousness of Wright's actions, particularly his attempts to manipulate evidence and his multiple influences over the injured pilot.
Wright, internationally recognized for his roles in National Geographic's Outback Wrangler and Netflix's Wild Croc Territory, faces significant public momentum toward his appeal amidst his community contributions and celebrity status.
