Fraud charges added to fatal hit-and-run accused

Benjamin Thomas Simpkins, 26, a former Nationals WA candidate, faces a growing list of charges following a fatal hit-and-run incident in Katanning. Simpkins was initially arrested in May and is currently facing three serious driving charges related to the death of a 49-year-old man.

WA Police have now added further charges, including attempting to pervert the course of justice, gaining benefit by fraud, and using a forged record with intent to defraud. These new allegations stem from further inquiries into the driving charges, which police say revealed Simpkins falsely claimed to hold a university degree.

Authorities allege Simpkins used falsified academic records to gain employment as a cardiac scientific officer at a Western Australian hospital in June 2023. He also allegedly provided false information about his community volunteer work to the Supreme Court. Furthermore, police claim he used forged documents in October 2023 to try and gain admission to other universities.

Simpkins is also facing two additional counts of driving with a suspended license from May of this year. He is scheduled to appear in court next month to face these new charges.