Sydney socialite Vanessa Jacobs Fennell crashed Range Rover, assaulted police officer
Vanessa Jacobs Fennell, 55, refused a breath test and then crashed her luxury Range Rover into a parked Tesla before assaulting a police officer in Bellevue Hill in Sydney's east on March 21.
It is understood bystanders had called police shortly after Fennell was stopped by a good Samaritan who informed her that her car was damaged and had two flat tyres.
She was then uncooperative when police arrived, police allege.
She was charged with refusing to submit to breath analysis, assault police officer in the execution of duty, not give particulars to owner of damaged property, and negligent driving.
Fennell – who was previously short-listed to appear on the second season of controversial reality show Real Housewives of Sydney in 2023 – pleaded guilty to all four charges.
She looked glamorous as she attended Waverley Local Court on Tuesday, sporting a brown trench coat and heeled boots.
The 55-year-old was listed for sentencing, however, her matter was again delayed, and submissions by both the prosecution and Fennell's lawyer Helen Christinson were instead heard.
She is seeking to have the matters dealt with under mental health provisions of the law, or a section 14 application.
In the defence's submissions the court was told Fennell had experienced 'some stresses' towards the end of last year, as well as experienced dissociation and in general had 'difficulty coping'.
She was prescribed antidepressants just three days prior to the incident, the defence said, which had caused 'adverse reactions and confusion', as well as contributed to 'increased intoxication'.
'The recent stresses, her mental health, the commencement of medication and alcohol combined leads to this egregious decision making which is highly uncharacteristic for this woman,' they said.
While they concede it was 'extraordinary conduct', the defence reminded the court it was the first offending of this kind and the socialite had no prior criminal history.
However, the prosecution argued the 'serious' offences should be dealt with according to the law via either a conditional release order or a community corrections order while incorporating an ongoing treatment plan.
This would give the community 'greater comfort', they argued.
The mother of two was previously married to private equity investor Tom Fennell, with reports the couple called it quits about five years ago.
She's also regularly been snapped at charity luncheons and events across the Harbour City.
She will next appear in court on August 25.
Her bail is to continue.
Originally published as Sydney socialite Vanessa Jacobs Fennell crashed Range Rover, assaulted police officer
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Apprentice never came home from work after supervisor's 'reckless, negligent choices'
THE mother of a young man killed when his supervisor lost control on a bend and slammed into a power pole at Cardiff has faced the driver in court and said her son's tragic death was the result of "gross, avoidable negligence". Apprentice carpenter Jacob Mostyn, 19, went to work and never came home on November 3, 2023, and now his mother, Christine, says she is living every parent's worst nightmare. Jacob's supervisor, 36-year-old Jeremy Howard, pleaded guilty to negligent driving occasioning death after he lost control of his BMW on a sweeping bend at Munibung Road at Cardiff and slid into a power pole. Jacob, a passenger in the car, was critically injured and died in hospital 11 days later. Howard faced a sentence hearing in Belmont Local Court on Thursday, during which Christine read a powerful victim impact statement, outlining the devastation the crash had caused her family and the promising young man Howard's "reckless choices" had taken away. "Jacob was a passenger in a vehicle driven by his supervisor," Christine said. "Someone entrusted with leadership, responsibility, and the safety of others. "But instead of exercising that duty with care, his supervisor made reckless, negligent choices behind the wheel. "Choices that cost Jacob his life. "Choices that shattered me, my family and his friends forever." Christine described getting the phone call about the crash and the realisation that "every parent's worst nightmare had just become my reality". "I can't describe to you what it's like to bury your child," Christine said. "There is no word in the English language for a parent who loses their child, because it is not supposed to happen. "It's unnatural. It's unbearable. This is my nightmare." Christine detailed all the important life events that had been stolen from her son, from finishing his apprenticeship to buying a home and having a family. "He didn't get to live," she said. "This was all stolen from him and us in a split second." She stressed that her son was not a statistic, that his life mattered and that his death was avoidable. "What makes this so much worse is knowing that his death didn't have to happen," Christine said. "The driver, Jeremy, made decisions that endangered not only my son's life but his own and everyone else on the road that day. "This was negligence. "Gross, avoidable negligence. "The kind that deserves accountability." Finally, with a framed photograph of her son held aloft beside her, she spoke directly to Howard. "I don't hate you," Christine said. "I don't know if I will ever be able to forgive you, but I want you to understand something; you didn't just end my son's life, you ended mine in many ways, too. "You took away my reason for getting up in the morning. "You took away a brother, a grandson, a friend, a mate, a partner, and a young man with so much life left to live. "I hope that you carry that weight every day. "And I hope that, one day, you truly understand the full consequences of what you have done." Crown prosecutor Jillian Kelton had argued the crash involved a significant degree of negligence because Howard was driving too quickly for the sweeping curve, was fatigued and had deactivated the BMW's traction control system, which she said may have prevented the crash. But defence barrister, Ben Bickford, said the degree of negligence was at a lower level and Howard had made an error in judgment and the impact with the pole had occurred a second after he lost traction. Magistrate Stephen Olischlager found the degree of negligence was significant but said Howard had no prior criminal record and was unlikely to re-offend. He said Howard would have to live with causing Jacob's death for the rest of his life and had the physical scars as a reminder of his mistake. Mr Olischlager said he would impose a nine-month sentence, but adjourned the matter until October to see whether Howard is suitable to serve the sentence in home detention as part of an intensive corrections order. THE mother of a young man killed when his supervisor lost control on a bend and slammed into a power pole at Cardiff has faced the driver in court and said her son's tragic death was the result of "gross, avoidable negligence". Apprentice carpenter Jacob Mostyn, 19, went to work and never came home on November 3, 2023, and now his mother, Christine, says she is living every parent's worst nightmare. Jacob's supervisor, 36-year-old Jeremy Howard, pleaded guilty to negligent driving occasioning death after he lost control of his BMW on a sweeping bend at Munibung Road at Cardiff and slid into a power pole. Jacob, a passenger in the car, was critically injured and died in hospital 11 days later. Howard faced a sentence hearing in Belmont Local Court on Thursday, during which Christine read a powerful victim impact statement, outlining the devastation the crash had caused her family and the promising young man Howard's "reckless choices" had taken away. "Jacob was a passenger in a vehicle driven by his supervisor," Christine said. "Someone entrusted with leadership, responsibility, and the safety of others. "But instead of exercising that duty with care, his supervisor made reckless, negligent choices behind the wheel. "Choices that cost Jacob his life. "Choices that shattered me, my family and his friends forever." Christine described getting the phone call about the crash and the realisation that "every parent's worst nightmare had just become my reality". "I can't describe to you what it's like to bury your child," Christine said. "There is no word in the English language for a parent who loses their child, because it is not supposed to happen. "It's unnatural. It's unbearable. This is my nightmare." Christine detailed all the important life events that had been stolen from her son, from finishing his apprenticeship to buying a home and having a family. "He didn't get to live," she said. "This was all stolen from him and us in a split second." She stressed that her son was not a statistic, that his life mattered and that his death was avoidable. "What makes this so much worse is knowing that his death didn't have to happen," Christine said. "The driver, Jeremy, made decisions that endangered not only my son's life but his own and everyone else on the road that day. "This was negligence. "Gross, avoidable negligence. "The kind that deserves accountability." Finally, with a framed photograph of her son held aloft beside her, she spoke directly to Howard. "I don't hate you," Christine said. "I don't know if I will ever be able to forgive you, but I want you to understand something; you didn't just end my son's life, you ended mine in many ways, too. "You took away my reason for getting up in the morning. "You took away a brother, a grandson, a friend, a mate, a partner, and a young man with so much life left to live. "I hope that you carry that weight every day. "And I hope that, one day, you truly understand the full consequences of what you have done." Crown prosecutor Jillian Kelton had argued the crash involved a significant degree of negligence because Howard was driving too quickly for the sweeping curve, was fatigued and had deactivated the BMW's traction control system, which she said may have prevented the crash. But defence barrister, Ben Bickford, said the degree of negligence was at a lower level and Howard had made an error in judgment and the impact with the pole had occurred a second after he lost traction. Magistrate Stephen Olischlager found the degree of negligence was significant but said Howard had no prior criminal record and was unlikely to re-offend. He said Howard would have to live with causing Jacob's death for the rest of his life and had the physical scars as a reminder of his mistake. Mr Olischlager said he would impose a nine-month sentence, but adjourned the matter until October to see whether Howard is suitable to serve the sentence in home detention as part of an intensive corrections order. THE mother of a young man killed when his supervisor lost control on a bend and slammed into a power pole at Cardiff has faced the driver in court and said her son's tragic death was the result of "gross, avoidable negligence". Apprentice carpenter Jacob Mostyn, 19, went to work and never came home on November 3, 2023, and now his mother, Christine, says she is living every parent's worst nightmare. Jacob's supervisor, 36-year-old Jeremy Howard, pleaded guilty to negligent driving occasioning death after he lost control of his BMW on a sweeping bend at Munibung Road at Cardiff and slid into a power pole. Jacob, a passenger in the car, was critically injured and died in hospital 11 days later. Howard faced a sentence hearing in Belmont Local Court on Thursday, during which Christine read a powerful victim impact statement, outlining the devastation the crash had caused her family and the promising young man Howard's "reckless choices" had taken away. "Jacob was a passenger in a vehicle driven by his supervisor," Christine said. "Someone entrusted with leadership, responsibility, and the safety of others. "But instead of exercising that duty with care, his supervisor made reckless, negligent choices behind the wheel. "Choices that cost Jacob his life. "Choices that shattered me, my family and his friends forever." Christine described getting the phone call about the crash and the realisation that "every parent's worst nightmare had just become my reality". "I can't describe to you what it's like to bury your child," Christine said. "There is no word in the English language for a parent who loses their child, because it is not supposed to happen. "It's unnatural. It's unbearable. This is my nightmare." Christine detailed all the important life events that had been stolen from her son, from finishing his apprenticeship to buying a home and having a family. "He didn't get to live," she said. "This was all stolen from him and us in a split second." She stressed that her son was not a statistic, that his life mattered and that his death was avoidable. "What makes this so much worse is knowing that his death didn't have to happen," Christine said. "The driver, Jeremy, made decisions that endangered not only my son's life but his own and everyone else on the road that day. "This was negligence. "Gross, avoidable negligence. "The kind that deserves accountability." Finally, with a framed photograph of her son held aloft beside her, she spoke directly to Howard. "I don't hate you," Christine said. "I don't know if I will ever be able to forgive you, but I want you to understand something; you didn't just end my son's life, you ended mine in many ways, too. "You took away my reason for getting up in the morning. "You took away a brother, a grandson, a friend, a mate, a partner, and a young man with so much life left to live. "I hope that you carry that weight every day. "And I hope that, one day, you truly understand the full consequences of what you have done." Crown prosecutor Jillian Kelton had argued the crash involved a significant degree of negligence because Howard was driving too quickly for the sweeping curve, was fatigued and had deactivated the BMW's traction control system, which she said may have prevented the crash. But defence barrister, Ben Bickford, said the degree of negligence was at a lower level and Howard had made an error in judgment and the impact with the pole had occurred a second after he lost traction. Magistrate Stephen Olischlager found the degree of negligence was significant but said Howard had no prior criminal record and was unlikely to re-offend. He said Howard would have to live with causing Jacob's death for the rest of his life and had the physical scars as a reminder of his mistake. Mr Olischlager said he would impose a nine-month sentence, but adjourned the matter until October to see whether Howard is suitable to serve the sentence in home detention as part of an intensive corrections order. THE mother of a young man killed when his supervisor lost control on a bend and slammed into a power pole at Cardiff has faced the driver in court and said her son's tragic death was the result of "gross, avoidable negligence". Apprentice carpenter Jacob Mostyn, 19, went to work and never came home on November 3, 2023, and now his mother, Christine, says she is living every parent's worst nightmare. Jacob's supervisor, 36-year-old Jeremy Howard, pleaded guilty to negligent driving occasioning death after he lost control of his BMW on a sweeping bend at Munibung Road at Cardiff and slid into a power pole. Jacob, a passenger in the car, was critically injured and died in hospital 11 days later. Howard faced a sentence hearing in Belmont Local Court on Thursday, during which Christine read a powerful victim impact statement, outlining the devastation the crash had caused her family and the promising young man Howard's "reckless choices" had taken away. "Jacob was a passenger in a vehicle driven by his supervisor," Christine said. "Someone entrusted with leadership, responsibility, and the safety of others. "But instead of exercising that duty with care, his supervisor made reckless, negligent choices behind the wheel. "Choices that cost Jacob his life. "Choices that shattered me, my family and his friends forever." Christine described getting the phone call about the crash and the realisation that "every parent's worst nightmare had just become my reality". "I can't describe to you what it's like to bury your child," Christine said. "There is no word in the English language for a parent who loses their child, because it is not supposed to happen. "It's unnatural. It's unbearable. This is my nightmare." Christine detailed all the important life events that had been stolen from her son, from finishing his apprenticeship to buying a home and having a family. "He didn't get to live," she said. "This was all stolen from him and us in a split second." She stressed that her son was not a statistic, that his life mattered and that his death was avoidable. "What makes this so much worse is knowing that his death didn't have to happen," Christine said. "The driver, Jeremy, made decisions that endangered not only my son's life but his own and everyone else on the road that day. "This was negligence. "Gross, avoidable negligence. "The kind that deserves accountability." Finally, with a framed photograph of her son held aloft beside her, she spoke directly to Howard. "I don't hate you," Christine said. "I don't know if I will ever be able to forgive you, but I want you to understand something; you didn't just end my son's life, you ended mine in many ways, too. "You took away my reason for getting up in the morning. "You took away a brother, a grandson, a friend, a mate, a partner, and a young man with so much life left to live. "I hope that you carry that weight every day. "And I hope that, one day, you truly understand the full consequences of what you have done." Crown prosecutor Jillian Kelton had argued the crash involved a significant degree of negligence because Howard was driving too quickly for the sweeping curve, was fatigued and had deactivated the BMW's traction control system, which she said may have prevented the crash. But defence barrister, Ben Bickford, said the degree of negligence was at a lower level and Howard had made an error in judgment and the impact with the pole had occurred a second after he lost traction. Magistrate Stephen Olischlager found the degree of negligence was significant but said Howard had no prior criminal record and was unlikely to re-offend. He said Howard would have to live with causing Jacob's death for the rest of his life and had the physical scars as a reminder of his mistake. Mr Olischlager said he would impose a nine-month sentence, but adjourned the matter until October to see whether Howard is suitable to serve the sentence in home detention as part of an intensive corrections order.
Sky News AU
3 days ago
- Sky News AU
Sydney socialite Vanessa Jacobs Fennell crashed Range Rover, assaulted police officer
A Sydney socialite who crashed her Range Rover, refused a breath test and then assaulted a police officer had started taking antidepressants just days prior to the incident, a court has been told. Vanessa Jacobs Fennell, 55, refused a breath test and then crashed her luxury Range Rover into a parked Tesla before assaulting a police officer in Bellevue Hill in Sydney's east on March 21. It is understood bystanders had called police shortly after Fennell was stopped by a good Samaritan who informed her that her car was damaged and had two flat tyres. She was then uncooperative when police arrived, police allege. She was charged with refusing to submit to breath analysis, assault police officer in the execution of duty, not give particulars to owner of damaged property, and negligent driving. Fennell – who was previously short-listed to appear on the second season of controversial reality show Real Housewives of Sydney in 2023 – pleaded guilty to all four charges. She looked glamorous as she attended Waverley Local Court on Tuesday, sporting a brown trench coat and heeled boots. The 55-year-old was listed for sentencing, however, her matter was again delayed, and submissions by both the prosecution and Fennell's lawyer Helen Christinson were instead heard. She is seeking to have the matters dealt with under mental health provisions of the law, or a section 14 application. In the defence's submissions the court was told Fennell had experienced 'some stresses' towards the end of last year, as well as experienced dissociation and in general had 'difficulty coping'. She was prescribed antidepressants just three days prior to the incident, the defence said, which had caused 'adverse reactions and confusion', as well as contributed to 'increased intoxication'. 'The recent stresses, her mental health, the commencement of medication and alcohol combined leads to this egregious decision making which is highly uncharacteristic for this woman,' they said. While they concede it was 'extraordinary conduct', the defence reminded the court it was the first offending of this kind and the socialite had no prior criminal history. However, the prosecution argued the 'serious' offences should be dealt with according to the law via either a conditional release order or a community corrections order while incorporating an ongoing treatment plan. This would give the community 'greater comfort', they argued. The mother of two was previously married to private equity investor Tom Fennell, with reports the couple called it quits about five years ago. She's also regularly been snapped at charity luncheons and events across the Harbour City. She will next appear in court on August 25. Her bail is to continue. Originally published as Sydney socialite Vanessa Jacobs Fennell crashed Range Rover, assaulted police officer
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Perth Now
Update after socialite crashed Range Rover
A Sydney socialite who crashed her Range Rover, refused a breath test and then assaulted a police officer had started taking antidepressants just days prior to the incident, a court has been told. Vanessa Jacobs Fennell, 55, refused a breath test and then crashed her luxury Range Rover into a parked Tesla before assaulting a police officer in Bellevue Hill in Sydney's east on March 21. It is understood bystanders had called police shortly after Fennell was stopped by a good Samaritan who informed her that her car was damaged and had two flat tyres. Vanessa Jacobs Fennell has again appeared in court after crashing her Range Rover in Bellevue Hill. Christian Gilles / NewsWire Credit: News Corp Australia She was then uncooperative when police arrived, police allege. She was charged with refusing to submit to breath analysis, assault police officer in the execution of duty, not give particulars to owner of damaged property, and negligent driving. Fennell – who was previously short-listed to appear on the second season of controversial reality show Real Housewives of Sydney in 2023 – pleaded guilty to all four charges. She looked glamorous as she attended Waverley Local Court on Tuesday, sporting a brown trench coat and heeled boots. The 55-year-old was listed for sentencing, however, her matter was again delayed, and submissions by both the prosecution and Fennell's lawyer Helen Christinson were instead heard. Vanessa Jacobs' lawyer Helen Christinson at Waverley Court. Photo: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard Credit: News Corp Australia She is seeking to have the matters dealt with under mental health provisions of the law, or a section 14 application. In the defence's submissions the court was told Fennell had experienced 'some stresses' towards the end of last year, as well as experienced dissociation and in general had 'difficulty coping'. She was prescribed antidepressants just three days prior to the incident, the defence said, which had caused 'adverse reactions and confusion', as well as contributed to 'increased intoxication'. 'The recent stresses, her mental health, the commencement of medication and alcohol combined leads to this egregious decision making which is highly uncharacteristic for this woman,' they said. While they concede it was 'extraordinary conduct', the defence reminded the court it was the first offending of this kind and the socialite had no prior criminal history. However, the prosecution argued the 'serious' offences should be dealt with according to the law via either a conditional release order or a community corrections order while incorporating an ongoing treatment plan. This would give the community 'greater comfort', they argued. The mother of two was previously married to private equity investor Tom Fennell, with reports the couple called it quits about five years ago. She's also regularly been snapped at charity luncheons and events across the Harbour City. She will next appear in court on August 25. Her bail is to continue. Lifeline: 13 11 14.
