Pilot sentenced to jail in Australia for fraud, unlicensed flights
A north Queensland pilot has been sentenced to five years in jail, to be released after two, after he was convicted of fraud over flights he chartered without a licence for Kennedy MP Bob Katter, ABC News reports.
Josh Hoch was convicted by a jury in Townsville District Court on Friday of 13 charges including unlicensed flying and fraud to the value of $30,000 or more.
The 37-year-old operated two charter businesses, Flying Fitters Pty Ltd and Hoch Air Pty Ltd, without an aircraft operator's certificate between 2011 and 2015.
Hoch received about $370,000 from illegally-chartered flights over the four year period, including almost $260,000 for 61 charter flights which carried Katter's Australian Party politician, Bob Katter.
Hoch also chartered two flights for Traeger MP Robbie Katter.
Judge Michael Byrne said Hoch had also received payment from the Queensland Electoral Commission for transporting ballot material.
Defence barrister Michael Hibble told the court his client was blinded by his love for his work.
"His love for aviation blinded him to the realities of what was required … and thus he's committed fraud," he said.
"He's a hard working person who put everything into Hoch Air."
He is due to be released on November 15, 2024, and be subject to a good behaviour bond of four years.