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Heffernan writes reference for 'pathological liar'

Posted December 4, 2008 15:11:00
Updated December 4, 2008 18:50:00

Liberal Senator Bill Heffernan has provided a character reference for a fake Qantas engineer who has been described in court as a pathological liar.

Timothy McCormack, 27, admitted forging qualifications to pose as a Qantas engineer in 2006.

Last month it was revealed he had also faked character references for his own sentencing hearing, but his lawyers won an adjournment so he could have more psychological tests.

This morning psychologist Jill Farrelly has told the court she has diagnosed Mr McCormack as a pathological liar who sought to create a fantasy world.

She said he needs months of psycho therapy that he will not be able to get in jail.

But the court has also heard that Senator Heffernan, a family friend, has thrown his support behind Mr McCormack, writing him a reference that has been tendered in court.

The prosecution lawyer said that Senator Heffernan described his parents and sister as "hard-working, decent and proud Australians".

He went on to say that what spoke volumes was that Senator Heffernan did not say anything about whether those characteristics could be applied to the offender.

Tags: law-crime-and-justice, courts-and-trials, air-transport, australia, nsw, sydney-2000