Fake Soldier Given Marching Orders

17 May 2007

STRIPPED of his rank and medals, sacked from his job and now convicted of impersonating a military officer, Peter Bennett was yesterday given a "dishonourable discharge" by a Victorian magistrate.

Wannabe-soldier Bennett, described on the Australian and New Zealand Military Impostors website as dressed in a way to make "any soldier cringe in disgust", says his military career is over.

The former armed robber's lawyer, Bernie Balmer, told the Werribee Magistrates Court yesterday that his client had recently told a psychologist that "Peter the army man has retired".

"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 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 that 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, where he posed 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 sentencing him yesterday, Mr Coghlan said that, according to the psychologist, Bennett seemed to have been seeking respect.

It was accepted that none of his crimes were committed in pursuit of violent ends or to obtain defence secrets, he said.

But Mr Coghlan told Bennett that he had to earn the right to wear a uniform and that it could not be bought or inherited.

Bennett was put on an 18-month community-based order, 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.

A Defence Force spokesman said the security pass system at Williams base had been tightened.


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