Ajay sentence delayed

The sentencing of Biggest Loser host Ajay Rochester for welfare fraud has been delayed until tomorrow after concerns were raised in a Sydney court over the Centrelink investigation into her case, reports the Sydney Morning Herald.

She was due to be sentenced today and faced a large media pack as she entered the court complex.

Rochester’s lawyer today told Downing Centre Local Court his client had paid back all the overpayments, totalling just over $14,000.

Magistrate Pat O’Shane asked for evidence to be heard on details in the chronology of the offences included in the statement of facts.

In particular, she wanted to clarify why there was a delay between the start of the Centrelink probe in May 2006 and the beginning of court proceedings in May 2008. Ms O’Shane also wanted to hear more on details, included in the chronology, of the Centrelink investigating officer referring to other high profile cases in a May 2006 interview with Rochester.

Ms O’Shane read a statement to the court given by Rochester’s then partner Martin Gleabe, who was with her when she was interviewed by Centrelink investigating officer David Cosgrove.

“He could not guarantee this would not get out and kept referring to high profile cases,” Ms O’Shane read from the statement. “He said at many times it could get out.”

Ms O’Shane said other details in Mr Gleabe’s statement were cause for concern, including the fact Rochester had not been cautioned before commencing the interview.

Source / photo: AAP / smh.com.au