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 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 sentenced Wright to a 10-month prison term, which will be suspended after he serves 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.
The jury could not agree on a verdict for a third charge related to allegations that Wright asked someone to torch evidence.
Wright's lawyers indicated intentions to appeal the guilty verdicts.
The case stemmed from a helicopter crash in February 2022 in Arnhem Land, approximately 500km (310 miles) east of Darwin.
In the courtroom, prosecutors detailed how Wright lied about the fuel levels in the aircraft and allegedly pressured the injured pilot to alter flight records. The jury delivered unanimous verdicts on key charges against him.
The trial exposed troubling practices within the NT's helicopter community, revealing that falsifying flight records was widespread.
Prior to his sentencing, prosecutor Jason Gullaci SC argued for immediate imprisonment to reflect the seriousness of Wright's actions that interfered with the course of justice.
Matt Wright is known for starring in National Geographic's Outback Wrangler and Netflix's Wild Croc Territory. He has built a following in the tourism sector and was considered an idol by many in the industry.
