Criminal case over Dreamworld compensation theft discontinued by prosecutors

A Perth man who accused his mother of stealing compensation he received after the 2016 Dreamworld Thunder River Rapids ride disaster believes the legal system has let him down after prosecutors discontinued the criminal case. Tom Hanson was awarded $179,000 in compensation for trauma he suffered after trying to help victims when a raft flipped on the ride in Queensland.

Four people were killed in the incident. He was 16 at the time.

Case details His mother, Michelle Lisa Hanson, was accused of stealing most of the payout. Prosecutors discontinued the criminal proceedings, stating they were not in the public interest because she had suffered a stroke and was not fit for trial. She had pleaded not guilty to the stealing charge.

The money has been recovered through civil action. Under the new Criminal Law Impairment Act, a hearing could still have been held to establish the facts despite her mental impairment.

Family response Speaking on behalf of his son, Tom's father Dean Hanson said his son should have had his day in court. "It's had a massive impact. I mean, it's really hard to put into words how much of an impact," he said. " The case had dragged on for six years.

Dean Hanson said police and prosecutors had assured the family that the Criminal Law Mental Impairment Act would allow a hearing to proceed. Prosecutors said multiple circumstances were considered, including mental impairment and the likely legal outcome.

The victim's views were only one factor in the decision.