Nadia Bartel to face Melbourne court over alleged driving offences

Bartel’s snorting scandal might be behind her, but fresh details from that rocky week have emerged alleging a new offence.

Nadia Bartel will face a Melbourne court in March accused of driving while her licence was suspended and failing to update her residential address.

The 36-year-old will appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on March 24 for mention but says she had no idea her licence was suspended at the time of the alleged incident.

The ex-wife of former Geelong superstar Jimmy Bartel was pulled over by Prahran Highway Patrol police on Dandenong Road at Windsor about 12.30pm on August 25 last year.

Instagram influencer Nadia Bartel, pictured here on January 11, 2022, will face court over alleged driving offences in March. Picture: Matrix

Ms Bartel says she was unaware she was driving while her licence was suspended. Picture: Mackenzie Sweetnam/Getty Images

Police allege her licence had been suspended because she had lost all of her demerit points, but the clothing designer told the Herald Sun she had not updated her address and the suspension notice went to a previous home.

“I was not aware of the suspension as communication had been sent to my previous residential address which I didn’t receive,” she said.

“I would never have driven had I been aware of the suspension and my residential details have now been updated.”

If found guilty of the two offences she could face a four-month stint in jail or a $4500 fine.

The incident came one week before she was filmed snorting white powder from a plate at a gathering during one of Victoria’s lockdowns.

Nadia Bartel promoting Mermade Hair, one of a number of products she represents on social media.

Nadia Bartel apologised last year after being filmed snorting white powder from a plate during one of Victoria’s lockdowns. Picture: Instagram

The influencer and mother-of-two was fined $5452 for breaching the state’s strict Covid-19 restrictions and lost several sponsorship deals as a result.

She was also publicly castigated over the incident.

Victoria Police said she would not face criminal charges as officers had been “unable to determine what the substance on the plate was”.

“Hi Everyone, I have let you all down by my actions,” she wrote on social media after the white powder video emerged.

“I take full responsibility and I am committed to taking all necessary steps to ensure I make better choices in future.

The mother-of-two changed addresses but police say she did not update her details.

Nadia Bartel was dropped from JS Health Vitamins after last year’s white powder video emerged.

“To my family and friends, my business partners and the public health workers trying to keep us all safe, I am embarrassed and remorseful.

“I am truly and deeply sorry. I hope I can earn your forgiveness and, in time, your trust. Nadia.”

Ms Bartel shared a post on social media on Tuesday about mental health and speaking up.

“I don’t normally share how I’m actually feeling but I think it is important to know it’s okay to feel sad,” she wrote.

“It’s just a feeling and all feelings are temporary, this feeling will pass.

“Tomorrow is a new day, and I need the bad days to appreciate the better ones.

“Cry it out (I used to hold it in) sometimes after a big cry and letting it all out it’s like a reset and I feel better.”

Originally published as Nadia Bartel to face Melbourne court over alleged driving offences