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 hospitalised 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 have indicated plans to appeal the guilty verdicts.
The judge noted mitigating factors in Wright's favor, including his contributions to the community and numerous impressive character references.
The case centered on a helicopter crash in February 2022 in Arnhem Land, approximately 500km (310 miles) east of Darwin. Wright's co-star Chris Willow Wilson was killed during a crocodile egg harvesting trip, while pilot Sebastian Robinson suffered severe injuries.
Prosecutors claimed Wright lied about the helicopter's fuel levels at the time of the crash and sought to manipulate evidence to deflect blame from himself.
The trial revealed a troubling culture in the NT's helicopter operations, where it was common to manipulate flight records to delay necessary maintenance.
Wright, who was not in the helicopter, was one of the first to arrive at the crash site, and the court heard he pressured Robinson while he was in the hospital.
Wright's testimony was at odds with evidence collected by prosecutors, leading to his conviction. His reputation as a celebrity and wildlife expert has been significantly affected.
This situation raises broader concerns about aviation safety standards and practices in the region.
