Aussie military impostor gatecrashes security meetings

LostinBlanch

Just came across this article and thought it might give some on here a chuckle.
http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/air-force-head-conned/2007/03/14/1173722558923.html
IT WAS a tight if tailored fit, but convicted armed robber Peter Bennett looked the epitome of regimental style at the RAAF Base Williams at Point Cook.

The Werribee truck driver attended the formal dress function commemorating the 90th anniversary of the sergeants' mess in a uniform befitting a member of the Australian Army.

As the night wore on and the war stories grew, he rubbed adorned shoulders and clinked Crown Lagers with senior servicemen and women, including Air Vice Marshal Geoffrey Shepherd, the Chief of the Air Force.

At the height of his 10-month, self-appointed military career that began in 2005, Bennett joined Operation ACOLYTE, the Australian Defence Force security team at RAAF Williams and Point Cook for Melbourne's Commonwealth Games.

Prosecutor Susan Armour told Werribee Magistrates Court yesterday that Bennett accessed the operation's secure compound in October and November, mixed with commanding officers and often attended planning 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.

When he marched into the packed, 90th anniversary gathering on September 10, 2005, he was wearing his mess dress with Warrant Officer class one embellishments and Australian service decorations - Vietnam Medal, National Medal, South Vietnamese Star and Infantry Combat Badge.

But Bennett, 54, kept secret the biggest peace-time war story of them all.
Behind the lines of the crisp white jacket, black tie, red cummerbund and glistening medals stood a soldier of ill-gotten fortune.

As revealed yesterday in court, Bennett has never been a serviceman - to his boot straps, he was simply a cheeky civilian with a good tailor and a foot locker brimming with confidence that enabled him to parachute behind friendly lines.

He had been issued with a 28-day Department of Defence temporary identity document on May 28, 2005, when he posed as a Warrant Officer at the base's security post.

After renewing the document the following month, Bennett attended the mess function and four days later was issued with an ADF identification card.

On March 7 last year, after inquiries with the central army records office failed to find any record of Bennett as a past or current serving member of the Australian Army, he was asked by ADF service police to prove his bona fides.

Bennett promised to return with the proof, but was not seen again. It was not until December 18 last year that Australian Federal Police raided his home and seized dozens of military items, including uniforms, slouch hats, badges, medals and ribbon bars.

Bennett, who was unrepresented, yesterday pleaded guilty to charges of impersonating a Commonwealth public official and making a false declaration.

He admitted prior convictions for similar offences in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and told magistrate Michael Coghlan he had no excuse for his "foolish stupidity".

Bennett said that after he volunteered for national service in 1971, he was stopped boarding the bus and told he was medically unfit to serve.
Asked if he developed a grudge against the defence forces, Bennett replied: "Probably a grudge against myself."

"Mixed up and angry" after leaving prison for armed robbery in 1986, Bennett received medical help but had worked regularly for the past 11 years.

Mr Coghlan described the offences as serious and adjourned the case until May for a pre-sentence report that may provide a motive "in the absence of a clear explanation" for the charges.

Speaking outside court, Bennett told The Age he had not hurt anyone, stolen anything, acted for money or planned anything sinister.

"If the army had have accepted me all those years ago I probably wouldn't have ended in the trouble I have," he said.

"ANZAC Day won't be so good this year," he lamented.

A Defence spokesperson told The Age that a routine inquiry was held to determine the cause of the breach of security.

"The matter has now been referred to the Australian Defence Force Provost Marshal to determine if any disciplinary action is justified against any specific individual," the spokesperson said.

Asked whether Air Vice-Marshal Shepherd has been made aware of the matter and that he posed with Bennett at the function, the spokesperson said he is "aware of this issue".