Socialite's 7 words after slapping cop
A Sydney socialite told police words to the effect of 'well at least I didn't kill anyone' after crashing her Range Rover, refusing a breath test and then assaulting a police officer.
Vanessa Jacobs Fennell, 54, refused a breath test and then crashed her luxe Range Rover into a parked Tesla before assaulting a police officer in Bellevue Hill in Sydney's east on March 21.
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. Sydney socialite Vanessa Jacobs Fennell made a shocking claim to police after she was arrested in Bellevue Hill. NewsWire / Nikki Short Credit: News Corp Australia
Fennell – who was previously short-listed to appear on the second season of controversial reality show Real Housewives of Sydney in 2023 – pleaded guilty last month to all four charges, but is seeking to have the matters dealt with under mental health provisions of the law.
She did not appear in Waverley Local Court on Monday where her matter was briefly mentioned.
Her lawyer Helen Christinson asked the court for a further date for a report to be prepared.
Court documents seen by NewsWire revealed bystanders called police shortly after Fennell was stopped by a good Samaritan on a road in Bellevue Hill who informed her that her car was 'severely damaged' and had two flat tyres.
When police arrived, Fennell was 'uncooperative', and initially denied being the driver of the damaged Range Rover.
While being arrested, the socialite became 'highly agitated', before slapping the police officer and resisting arrest, the documents state. Vanessa Jacobs' lawyer Helen Christinson sought an adjournment at Waverley Court on Monday. Photo: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard Credit: News Corp Australia
After being informed she had assaulted a police officer, she laughed and showed 'no remorse for her actions', police said in the documents.
While police were speaking with her the socialite then said words to the effect of: 'well at least I didn't kill anyone', court documents said.
The assault was captured on police body cam footage.
In a police interview, Fennell admitted to driving while under the influence of alcohol.
The stay at home mum also failed to give her required particulars 'within the required time' to the driver of the other car.
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 return to Waverley Local Court again on August 12.
Her bail is to continue.
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