Four individuals, including a helicopter pilot who provided testimony during Matt Wright’s trial in the Supreme Court last year, have been charged with the theft of a substantial quantity of crocodile eggs from Kakadu National Park.
The matter is set to advance to the Northern Territory Supreme Court, with prosecutors describing the alleged theft as a “complex” and “sophisticated” undertaking.
As the case resumes in October, ten witnesses, including an officer from the Australian Federal Police, are anticipated to be subjected to cross-examination.
Sebastian Robinson, who survived a tragic helicopter crash central to Wright’s criminal proceedings last year, is alleged to have participated in the operation to illegally collect hundreds of crocodile eggs from Kakadu National Park. He appeared in the Darwin Local Court alongside co-defendants Timothy Luck, Dean Larsen, and Stephen Slark, facing charges of “unauthorized taking” of the eggs in February 2024.
Additionally, SDRL Pty Ltd, the company under which Mr. Robinson and Mr. Larsen acted as directors at the time of the alleged offenses, is also charged with a count of fraud.
Mr. Robinson and Mr. Luck were reportedly involved in a crocodile egg collection effort that resulted in the death of television figure Chris “Willow” Wilson. Robinson was piloting the helicopter during the incident, which left him with permanent injuries, including paraplegia and a traumatic brain injury.
Matt Wright, co-star of Wilson’s Netflix series, is currently serving a 10-month prison sentence, which has been suspended after five months, after being found guilty of attempting to obstruct justice regarding the investigation into the crash.
Prosecutor Ruth Champion informed the court that the Northern Territory’s Director of Public Prosecutions seeks to escalate the case to the Supreme Court due to the severe nature of the offenses. She emphasized the seriousness of the situation, highlighting the sophisticated and complex methods allegedly employed in the egg theft.
Champion remarked on the vast quantity of eggs reportedly taken, stating, “We are not discussing one, two, or three but rather a number in the hundreds.” She also noted the impact on the traditional landowners and the cultural harm they may have experienced.
She pointed out that if the case were to be addressed in the Local Court, the maximum possible sentence would be limited to 12 months. Furthermore, she indicated that the involvement of multiple co-defendants and the use of a helicopter for the egg collection increased the gravity of the alleged offenses.
Chief Judge Elizabeth Morris commented that local courts in the Northern Territory frequently handle cases involving helicopters and drew comparisons to illegal fishing cases that are often seen in summary jurisdiction. She stated, “We deal with foreign fishing offenses… which involve boats and seas and are incredibly important to Australian biodiversity as well as impact on traditional owners in certain areas. But it is entirely a matter for you.”
The court also approved a request from Mr. Robinson’s legal team to cross-examine ten witnesses before any committal to the Supreme Court. Among these witnesses is NT pilot Mick Burbidge, who also testified during Wright’s trial last year, as well as Australian Federal Police officer Ben Owens. The case is scheduled to return to court in October.
