Benjamin Heath Cooper of Brighton-Le-Sands, New South Wales, has pleaded guilty to conspiring to manipulate the price of shares in Quantum Resources Limited.

On 16 November 2015, Mr Cooper conspired with former Quantum director Avrohom Kimelman and another to manipulate Quantum shares (20-223MR).

Quantum is now known as Nova Minerals Limited.

Mr Cooper pleaded guilty on 8 June 2022 before the Stirling Gardens Magistrates’ Court in Western Australia to one charge of conspiring to commit market manipulation.

At the time of Mr Cooper’s offence, the charge of conspiring to commit market manipulation carried a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment.

In March 2019, the maximum penalty for the offence was increased to 15 years imprisonment.

The matter is being prosecuted by the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions. It has been adjourned to the Supreme Court of Western Australia on 30 August 2022 for a directions hearing.

Editor's note:

On 30 August 2022, the matter was adjourned to 9 December 2022 for sentencing at the Supreme Court of Western Australia.