Former South Australian magistrate Bob Harrap, a lawyer and court clerk have pleaded guilty to deception offences after a probe by the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption.
Harrap and lawyer Catherine Moyse today pleaded guilty in the Adelaide Magistrates Court to conspiring to abuse public office in relation to a court matter in May.
They have been committed to the District Court to face sentencing in September.
In separate offending, Harrap also admitted two counts of deceiving the Courts Administration Authority in a bid to avoid losing demerit points after traffic offences were committed in his State Government-issued car.
One of his co-accused in that matter, court clerk Melanie Freeman — whose identity was suppressed until today — pleaded guilty to the same offending.
But Claire O'Connor SC, for Freeman, told District Court Judge Stephen McEwen that her client has admitted the offences on the grounds she "aided and abetted" Harrap to commit the offences.
She said her client had felt "pressured" by Harrap, and handed him her driver's licence so he could "lie to those in authority" about who was driving his car when it racked up the traffic fines.
"She received no benefit at all — her offending is seen by the Director [of Public Prosecutions] as minor," Ms O'Connor said.
Ms O'Connor urged Judge McEwen to allow Freeman to be sentenced in the lower court, and not be committed to the District Court.
Judge McEwen will make a decision on that next week.
Police prosecutor Abigail Foulkes, who is also charged with one count of deception, had her case delayed until next week.
Harrap resigned as a South Australian magistrate earlier this month.
