Crooked travel agent heads off to Moresby
CROOKED former travel agent Vanessa Barrett has had the conditions of her suspended sentence loosened to allow her to take up the lifestyle of a diplomatic spouse.
Barrett, a former Flight Centre middle manager, appeared in the NT Supreme Court on Friday where lawyer Shane McMaster successfully argued for her suspended sentence to be varied so she could move with her partner next year to the Australian High Commission compound in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. Barrett’s partner is air force Sergeant Darren Maxsted.
Barrett pleaded guilty to defrauding the Territory taxpayer of $110,491 but did not see the inside of a jail cell after Justice Graham Hiley suspended her 15-month sentence. Mr McMaster yesterday said Barrett had shown up to eight face-to-face meetings with corrections as part of her sentence, each of which lasted about three minutes.
“It’s about a three-minute interview ... it’s nothing more intensive than that,” he said.
Crown prosecutor David Morters said the condition Ms Barrett stay in the Territory was the only part of her punishment that had any real effect on her life.
“The application is, in effect, to take away the one obligation that is having an impact on a continuing basis on the person who has accepted responsibility for this very serious offending,” he said.
He said altering the suspended sentence would under- XANA KKAMITSIS
Jailed for three years and 11 months, sus suspended after 18 months for de defrauding $123,000 and corruption. Pa Paid $110,000 in restitution. Ser Served almost half of her actual jail time on home detention in her luxury Bayview townhouse.
TENNILLETENNIL FOLEY
Agre Agreed to pay $40,514 in restitution. Sen Sentenced to three months of ho home detention. Ho Honeymooned at luxury Bali reso resort after end of home deten detention order. Still owes $40,012 to the taxptaxpayers.
VANESSAVANES BARRETT mine an sentence”.
“We can’t trivialise the obligation of reporting to a probation and parole officer. It’s part of the penalty that’s imposed as part of the process of rehabilitation.
“It’s a bit bold (for Barrett) to come to court ... and ask to remove herself from that obligation as well.”
The Australian High Commission residence compound in Port Moresby sits on a breezy hillside above an impoverished cluster of fisher- already PAULPAU MOSSMAN
Min Ministerial staffer convicted of corruptlyco receiving benefits fromfro Kamitsis. Sen Sentenced to 12 months jail, fully suspended. Rorte Rorted taxpayers of $110,000 while a Flig Flight Centre travel agent. Ha Handed 15-month suspended sentence. Co Condition to remain in the Northern Ter Territory revoked on application to Supr Supreme Court.
SAFFRONSAF JOSIE RUSSELL
Ro Rorted $22,505 from the scheme over fou four years. Ordered to pay restitution and sentenced to three months in jail, fully suspended.
“merciful men’s shanties. Its facilities include squash and tennis courts, a swimming pool and a staff of around-the-clock servants and guards.
Mr McMaster said Barrett, who currently lives in taxpayersubsidised defence housing at RAAF Base Tindal, plans to do charity work while overseas.
Justice Hiley agreed to changing Barrett’s sentence to allow her to live in Papua New Guinea. The travel to Papua New Guinea had been flagged before her sentencing.
Editorial P12