Woman who used deceased Seaworld helicopter pilot’s name to get out of speeding ticket sends baffling email to magistrate
- Woman nominated dead pilot as driver to avoid fine
- She apologized via email for the pain she caused and pleaded guilty
- But her written plea was not accepted by the court
A woman has apologized after being sued for using the name of one of the helicopter pilots killed in the SeaWorld tragedy to avoid a fine.
Stephanie Louise Bennett, 33, was on Thursday before Brisbane’s Beenleigh Magistrates Court on two counts of fraud.
Instead, she emailed an apology and filed a written admission of guilt, the Courier mail reported.
Ms Bennett allegedly falsely identified helicopter pilot Ash Jenkinson as the driver of her car after receiving an infringement notice on Dec. 15 for using her phone while driving.
Mr Jenkinson and three of his passengers died in a collision between two Sea World tour helicopters on January 2. Ms Bennett reportedly nominated him on January 9 after seeing his name in an online obituary.
Mr Jenkinson’s widow, Kosha Richardson-Johnson, received the fine in the mail shortly afterwards and contacted authorities.
A woman apologized via email to Brisbane’s Beenleigh Magistrates Court on Thursday for using the name of then-deceased SeaWorld pilot Ash Jenkinson (pictured) to avoid a fine
Ms Bennett’s email read to the court read: ‘I apologize for the pain this has caused everyone.
“I deeply regret my actions.
“I was having personal issues at the time, was off due to injury, had no sick leave or annual leave because I had just changed jobs, and was in financial trouble at the time I got the infraction.”
She admitted that she did not know Mr. Jenkinson.
The courier mail reported that she concluded her statement by pleading guilty to the charges of unfairly inciting one person to act and using the identity of another for the purpose of committing a crime.
Ash Jenkinson died alongside three passengers on the Gold Coast after the tragic collision on January 2
Ms Bennett apologized to ‘undo’ the hurt she inflicted on everyone, including Mr Jenkinson’s widow, Kosha Richardson-Johnson (pictured, left)
However, Mrs. Benett’s written plea was not accepted by Magistrate Terry Duroux.
“The seriousness of the alleged crime is far too serious to deal with in a written plea,” he said.
Ms Bennett’s case has been postponed to April 20, where she must appear in person or a warrant will be issued for her arrest.
Mr Jenkinson is survived by his wife, young son and members of his immediate family, as well as hundreds of friends who knew the popular Gold Coast resident as ‘Jenko’.