A former reality TV contestant and controversial ex-WAG has complained about “brutal” media attention as she fights to reduce her jail sentence for stealing $52,000.
Arabella Del Busso appeared in the NSW District Court via audiovisual link on Wednesday wearing a prison-issued green T-shirt and pants and a concerned expression.
She has been behind bars since she was sentenced to 20 months imprisonment in February after pleading guilty to two counts of stealing as an employee.
The court heard the ex-girlfriend of former NRL star Josh Reynolds was working as a receptionist for Rheumatology Specialist Care between September 2019 and February 2020.
While working at the medical practices in Kogarah and Randwick, she devised a scheme to steal tens of thousands of dollars.
She was jailed for a maximum of 20 months in February, with a non parole period of 12 months for the “appalling breach of trust”.
On Wednesday, the lingerie model launched an appeal in which she argued the prison sentence was too excessive.
Her lawyer Jehane Ghabrial told the court the media attention around Del Busso’s theft and subsequent court proceedings had been “brutal to say the least”.
She said coverage of Del Busso’s theft had included “trawling through her personal life and things that have been traumatic in her life” before the charges were laid.
“Just because someone applies to be part of a television show … doesn’t mean they’re inviting everyone to tear every aspect of their lives apart,” Ms Ghabrial said.
However, Judge John Pickering pointed out Del Busso had actively sought media attention after her high-profile break up with former NRL star Josh Reynolds.
“Being real about it though, she’s pursued it as well,” he said.
“She put herself on a reality program (SAS Australia), she’s put herself on national television.”
He pointed to the case of Bruce Lehrmann, who has consistently denied sexually assaulting Brittany Higgins, as demonstrating the additional scrutiny that is invited on a public profile.
Ms Ghabrial argued the media coverage had subjected Del Busso to “further humiliation and denigration” at a time when she was “trying to move on with her life”.
Her lawyer argued the model’s past embarrassments, such as an miscarriage she faked during her relationship with Mr Reynolds, were “dredged up” by the continuous attention.
However, Judge Pickering noted she had “gotten a profile from that” which she had “exploited” by appearing on reality TV and becoming a celebrity boxer.
Crown prosecutor Diana Paterson said the media interest did not amount to extra curial punishment and noted it was likely to continue because of Del Busso’s interest in continuing as a professional boxer.
Del Busso had been suffering from anxiety and depression when she stole $52,000 from her employer, her lawyer told the court.
The court heard she was diagnosed after she was caught with her hand in the till, but had not sought “significant mental health support” since then.
Ms Paterson opined the ex-WAG’s decision to steal $52,000 from her employer was made for her personal financial enrichment.
“The crown would submit there is a minimal link between the offending and mental health aspects,” she said.
On multiple occasions, the court documents reveal the former contestant on SAS Australia told clients the EFTPOS machine wasn’t working and asked them to pay in cash instead.
“Unfortunately our EFTPOS facilities are down so it will be a cash transaction today of $170 sorry for the inconvenience,” she said in a text message sent out to 18 patients.
Del Busso fleeced $35,785 from the medical centre’s Kogarah facility and $16,565 from the Randwick office over five months before a manager noticed the financial discrepancies.
The court documents show the lingerie model had deposited $18,215 into her personal accounts.
Judge Pickering will deliver his decision on Del Busso’s appeal on Wednesday afternoon.