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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/apr/26/woman-admits-to-using-dead-sea-world-helicopter-pilots-identity-to-avoid-traffic-fine
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| Woman admits to using dead Sea World helicopter pilot’s identity to avoid traffic fine | Woman admits to using dead Sea World helicopter pilot’s identity to avoid traffic fine |
| (4 months later) | |
| Stephanie Bennett pleaded guilty to using Gold Coast pilot Ash Jenkinson’s identity after she was caught using mobile while driving | Stephanie Bennett pleaded guilty to using Gold Coast pilot Ash Jenkinson’s identity after she was caught using mobile while driving |
| The woman who used the identity of a pilot killed in the Sea World helicopter tragedy to dodge a traffic ticket has been heckled outside court. | The woman who used the identity of a pilot killed in the Sea World helicopter tragedy to dodge a traffic ticket has been heckled outside court. |
| Stephanie Louise Bennett, 33, pleaded guilty to using dead pilot Ash Jenkinson’s identity after she was caught using her mobile phone behind the wheel on 15 December. | Stephanie Louise Bennett, 33, pleaded guilty to using dead pilot Ash Jenkinson’s identity after she was caught using her mobile phone behind the wheel on 15 December. |
| Bennett was trying to avoid the mandatory $1,078 fine when she went online to claim she was not at fault. | Bennett was trying to avoid the mandatory $1,078 fine when she went online to claim she was not at fault. |
| Bennett used information from the death notice of Jenkinson, who died on 2 January in a helicopter collision, to claim he committed the offence instead. | Bennett used information from the death notice of Jenkinson, who died on 2 January in a helicopter collision, to claim he committed the offence instead. |
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| Bennett earlier told the court that she was going through “personal matters” and “financial troubles” at the time, and had attempted to undo the alleged fraudulent nomination the next day. | Bennett earlier told the court that she was going through “personal matters” and “financial troubles” at the time, and had attempted to undo the alleged fraudulent nomination the next day. |
| “The following day I remembered what I did and tried to undo it by attempting to nominate myself but the website didn’t accept it,” she said earlier this month. | “The following day I remembered what I did and tried to undo it by attempting to nominate myself but the website didn’t accept it,” she said earlier this month. |
| Bennett pleaded guilty in Beenleigh magistrates court on Wednesday to fraud by dishonestly inducing a person to act and one count of obtaining or dealing with another’s identity for the purpose of committing an indictable offence. | Bennett pleaded guilty in Beenleigh magistrates court on Wednesday to fraud by dishonestly inducing a person to act and one count of obtaining or dealing with another’s identity for the purpose of committing an indictable offence. |
| Magistrate Terry Duroux rejected an immediate move to a sentence, adjourning the case to 19 May. | Magistrate Terry Duroux rejected an immediate move to a sentence, adjourning the case to 19 May. |
| “The court does not operate in a vacuum,” he said. “I’m well aware of why we are here. I am putting you on notice – I believe there are authorities that I should be referred to.” | “The court does not operate in a vacuum,” he said. “I’m well aware of why we are here. I am putting you on notice – I believe there are authorities that I should be referred to.” |
| Duroux said he did not believe the 15 minutes allotted for a plea hearing on Wednesday was adequate. | Duroux said he did not believe the 15 minutes allotted for a plea hearing on Wednesday was adequate. |
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| “In my view, this is a lengthy plea and not appropriate for this court. There are two fraud-type charges before the court and the maximum penalty I believe is around five years.” | “In my view, this is a lengthy plea and not appropriate for this court. There are two fraud-type charges before the court and the maximum penalty I believe is around five years.” |
| Bennett disguised her identity with a scarf but was still taunted as she left the courthouse. | Bennett disguised her identity with a scarf but was still taunted as she left the courthouse. |
| “You’re disgusting, show your face. Why didn’t you just take the fine? You should be ashamed,” bystanders yelled. | “You’re disgusting, show your face. Why didn’t you just take the fine? You should be ashamed,” bystanders yelled. |
| The matter is expected to be finalised next month. | The matter is expected to be finalised next month. |