Articles by Cydonee Mardon

Entertainment

Outback Wrangler cop’s TV rant investigated

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Cydonee MardonChief Reporter November 19, 2025 - 3:34PM Share via Email Share on Facebook Share on Whatsapp Escucha este artículo Copied URL to clipboard Matt Wright speaks after being found guilty of two charges stemming from a helicopter crash that killed his best mate Mr Wright stood trial in the Northern Territory Supreme Court, charged with three counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice in... The Northern Territory police officer investigating the fatal helicopter crash that killed crocodile egg collector Chris Wilson is under investigation over comments he made on national television about chopper owner Matt Wright and his wife Kaia. Mr Wright’s lawyer claims Detective Senior Sergeant Corey Borton made “potentially defamatory statements” that may prejudice Wright’s appeal. In a letter to Mr Wright’s lawyers, NT Police Commissioner Martin Dole confirmed the “complaint regarding the comments has now been referred to the Professional Standards Command for review”. “If there is a finding of breach, it will be dealt with in accordance with the relevant procedures,” the commissioner said. The matter remains under investigation and no findings have been made. Wright was found guilty in the Northern Territory Supreme Court of attempting to pervert the course of justice in the seven-month period following the fatal chopper crash. His wife was not accused of any wrongdoing, nor charged with any offence. Matt and Kaia Wright, with their children Banjo and Dusty, are said to be upset about comments made by a Northern Territory police officer on a national TV program. Picture: Charlie Bliss The 46-year-old Netflix and Apple TV star was accused of failing to accurately record flight times in the Robinson-R-44 that crashed in February 2022 and was also accused of lying about fuel levels in the chopper. His mate Chris “Willow” Wilson was killed in the crash in Arnhem Land and 28-year-old pilot Sebastian Robinson was seriously injured. Wright is appealing the verdict and sentence and a hearing is scheduled for December. He was not alleged to have been responsible for the crash and no one has been charged over the cause of the accident. Wright’s lawyer Anthony Jefferies wrote to the NT Police Commissioner over Sgt Borton’s comments on the 7NEWS Spotlight television program on September 28 in relation to Mr and Mrs Wright travelling to Queensland where they relocated for six months due to complications with Mrs Wright’s pregnancy. Matt and Kaia Wright, who are expecting their child, are upset about comments made post trial. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin /NewsWire NT Police officer in charge Corey Borton arriving at the trial of Outback Wrangler Matt Wright in August. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin Mr Borton said on the program: “I suspect that he [Mr Wright] knew something was afoot, given his, you know, impulsive move to Queensland … You know it could be argued that, uh, the heat was definitely on – that things were happening. “Certainly, they knew that police were certainly a lot more involved than what they originally had thought in the investigation. Copied URL to clipboard Matt Wright and his wife Kaia enjoy some 'wholesome' family time Celebrity crocodile wrangler Matt... “So, perhaps there was opportunity there for Wright to distance himself from the Northern Territory and to give himself some breathing space.” In the letter seen by news.com.au, Mr Jefferies corrected the position and said: “As your officers undoubtedly knew at the time, the Wright family’s travel to Queensland was planned prior to the accident that caused the death of Mr Wilson”. “Mrs Wright was at the time pregnant with her second child and suffering from endometriosis. Pilot Sebastian Robinson and Outback Wrangler star Matt Wright on a crocodile egg collecting mission in January 2016. Photo: Supplied Chris Wilson tribute. Outback Wrangler The decision to relocate to Queensland had been made solely to be in proximity to her obstetrician given the potential complications with her pregnancy.” Mr Jefferies said that for Sgt Borton to suggest that the travel was somehow linked to the case when it was in fact due to a pregnant mother needing to be close to specialist medical care is “highly prejudicial and unbecoming of a police officer”. The comments seem to be “a reflection of Senior Sergeant Borton’s unfounded personal assumptions rather than any factual evidence.” “Rather than offering an uninformed personal opinion on national television”, Sgt Borton would have been better advised to “consider alternative logical and simple explanations such as the Wright family needing a motor vehicle to get to and from medical appointments with young children”. Chris "Willow" Wilson was killed in the chopper crash in remote Northern Territory croc nesting land. Later in the program Sgt Borton admitted that Mr Wright had proactively offered, through his lawyers, to make himself available to Northern Territory Police at any time, Mr Jefferies said in the letter. The investigating officer is also accused of portraying Mr Wright in a “negative light”. During the interview Sgt Borton said: “Servicings aren’t cheap … but certainly it would have been cheaper not to service the aircraft at regular intervals.” Mr Jefferies questioned why the detective did not mention the fact the helicopter VH-IDW had undergone a major service in the weeks prior to the crash and received a clean bill of health from an independent mechanic. He also took issue with Sgt Borton’s statement that “The aircraft not being serviced in accordance with the manufacturer’s directions runs a real risk of one of those systems within an aircraft failing and potentially leading to the aircraft falling out of the sky.” Pilot Sebastian Robinson (L) with Chris 'Willow' Wilson. Robinson was severely inured in a chopper crash and Wilson was killed. He said the police officer was neither a qualified aircraft engineer nor pilot and his comments implied that as the owner of VH-IDW, Mr Wright is responsible for the crash, Mr Wilson’s death and pilot Sebastian Robinson’s injuries. “This is highly unprofessional and defamatory.” Mr Jefferies said the Australian Transport Safety Bureau found in its expert report that VHIDW crashed because of fuel exhaustion and the conduct of the pilot. ATSB’s statements include that “the helicopter was likely not refuelled at the en route fuel depot” and “the pilot did not identify the reducing fuel state before the helicopter’s engine stopped in flight due to fuel exhaustion”. “For Senior Sergeant Borton to imply that the crash was due to Mr Wright’s conduct goes against all expert evidence,” the letter said. “It also ignores the fact that the ATSB further found that ‘the pilot’s exposure to cocaine within the previous few days increased the likelihood of fatigue, depression and inattention …’ which is not mentioned at all on the 7NEWS Spotlight program by Senior Sergeant Borton.” Matt Wright is appealing his perjury convictions which resulted from his actions in the aftermath of the crash. He was not involved in the accident. Matt Wright approaching the Supreme Court in Darwin on Thursday August 21. Picture: NewsWire/ Pema Tamang Pakhrin News.com.au approached NT Police and Senior Sergeant Borton for an interview in the weeks following the Spotlight interview. On October 8, NT Police responded: “Police have investigated both the crash and the conduct that followed. Some matters are still before the courts, and the coronial process is yet to run its course. “It would be inappropriate to comment further while those processes are ongoing. “At this stage, the NTPF is unable to facilitate further interviews around this incident.” More Coverage Pregnancy bombshell hits Croc Wrangler case Cydonee Mardon Chilling footage of pilot behind doomed flight Cydonee Mardon In relation to the investigation into Senior Sergeant Borton’s comments, a Northern Territory Police Force spokesman said this week: “Any complaints or concerns related to the conduct of NTPF members are dealt with in accordance with our internal procedures, ensuring transparency and accountability. “In the interests of natural justice, any receipt of allegations and complaints alone prior to any preliminary investigation being completed will not be released to the public unless there is an immediate concern for public safety.” Matt and Kaia have been contact for comment. More related stories TV star’s next big move after public dumping Dumped on a mountaintop in the Golden Bachelor finale, Janette Bendle has already mapped out her next chapter with a surprising career move. Reality TV feud erupts: ‘F**ked over hard’ Reality TV worlds have collided as a wild feud emerges between Big Brother’s Holly and MAFS star Carina Mirabile, who once shared a Bondi pad. ‘Torn to shreds’: Reality star’s sad confession In an exclusive chat, bubbly brunette Gabby shares the raw truth about her G-cup boobs and why people online need to think twice before commenting. 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