Fake Soldier Demoted And Given His Marching Orders

17 May 2007

STRIPPED of his rank and medals, then sacked from his job and now convicted of impersonating a military officer, Peter Bennett's "dishonourable discharge" was announced yesterday in a Victorian courtroom.

Wannabe soldier Bennett - attacked on the Australian and New Zealand Military Impostors website as dressed to make "any soldier cringe in disgust" - has declared his career over.

"Peter the army man has retired," the former armed robber's lawyer, Bernie Balmer, said his client had recently told a psychologist.

"Well, let's hope that is the situation," magistrate Michael Coghlan replied. "It would be a dishonourable discharge, Mr Balmer."

Bennett, 54, a truck driver who pleaded guilty in March in Werribee Magistrates Court to three charges, posed for 10 months as a serviceman at the RAAF's Williams base at Point Cook from 2005.

Mr Balmer said that after being rejected in 1971 as medically unfit for national service, Bennett became "mixed up and angry".

He had prior convictions for illegally wearing a military uniform and impersonating members of the armed forces and police force.

Prosecutor Susan Armour said Bennett joined Operation Acolyte, the Australian Defence Force security team, at RAAF Williams for Melbourne's Commonwealth Games.

Bennett accessed the operation's secure compound in October and November, mixed with officers and attended meetings. "During this period (Bennett) was regularly observed by service personnel and defence public servants within the perimeter of the (base) wearing army uniform, including Vietnam War and long-service awards," Ms Armour said.

At the 90th anniversary of the sergeants' mess, posing with the chief of the air force, Air Vice-Marshal Geoffrey Shepherd, Bennett wore a mess dress with warrant officer class one embellishments and Australian service decorations.

In his sentencing yesterday, Bennett was put on a 18-month community-based order and ordered to do 80 hours of unpaid community work and pay $1200 costs.

He was also ordered to undergo assessment and treatment and attend psychological counselling.


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