Doubts emerge after Bondi Beach 'shark victim' arrested, by Steve Gee -
21st December 2007
(Credit: Herald Sun)

A MAN who claimed he was mauled by a 2m shark at Bondi Beach has been arrested over a string of break-ins as doubts emerge about the attack.
Hobart itinerant Scott Wright drew international headlines as Bondi's first shark victim in 78 years, after he claimed he had to fight off a 1.8m shark at South Bondi on Friday night.

Although initially dubious, lifeguards who examined three deep gashes on his right arm, said it appeared as though the 34-year-old may have been attacked by a docile wobbegong.

However, the story began unravelling after police received a tip-off that Wright had allegedly been involved in break-ins at Bondi.

He faced Central Local Court on Tuesday charged with an aggravated serious indictable offence and car theft.

He was remanded in custody until February 14. The arrest came after Wright faced the media on Saturday to tell how he was attacked as he swam in the shallows at South Bondi about 8.30pm on Friday.

The homeless man claimed he passed out and only awoke the next morning when he presented himself to volunteer lifesavers.

He had 40 stitches at St Vincent's Hospital.

But sources yesterday claimed Wright, who was camping at Bondi with his girlfriend when the apparent attack occurred, suffered the injury from a broken window.

A source told The Daily Telegraph she was convinced Wright concocted the shark attack to garner sympathy.

He had been placed in a Bondi hostel for two nights at the expense of the producers of Channel 10's Bondi Rescue because they felt sorry for him after he spoke of the shark attack.

Profiles

Bondi Beach