Olympian Chantelle Newbery unable to give instructions to her lawyer following partner’s death
Olympic gold medallist and former Australian Institute of Sport’s “Best of the Best” Chantelle Newbery was due to face trial in the Brisbane today on seven counts of stealing, but a last-gasp statement from her lawyer has led to a delay in proceedings.
Crime & Justice
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OLYMPIC gold medallist Chantelle Newbery’s stealing trial has been delayed after a court heard the diver has fallen into a deep depression and is unable to give instructions to her lawyer following her partner’s death.
The former Australian Institute of Sport’s “Best of the Best” was expected to face trial in the Brisbane Magistrates Court today on seven counts of stealing, but her lawyer Robert Burns told the court at the last moment his client would not be attending the hearing.
The matter, which was adjourned with the consent of the police, could not go ahead because Newbery wanted time to meet with the Salvation Army and had not been in “any state” to instruct her lawyer after the death of her partner Tim Walsh last month.
Newbery was also listed to appear on a mention for breaching her bail today.
Mr Burns told the court Newbery was in an “incredibly deep depression to which she is being treated by a doctor”.
“She is living in Toowoomba, she has no ability to drive, no family and she is quite isolated,” he said.
Burns later said Newbery had “completely decompensated in regards to life generally”.
Today’s short court mention comes as Newbery in May posted a heartfelt message for her murdered friend Jason Guise, whose body was found in a sewage holding tank in Wynnum.
Detectives are still investigating the case.
The former Olympian had previously written messages of support to her friend, with mates stating he had “been through hell” after being released from prison to find his possessions had apparently been sold.
“Nooo, please don’t be dead,” she wrote about Guise in May.
“I don’t believe you are dead Jason. F*** call me now. Tell everyone they are wrong! Love ya mate. Please be OK.”
Newbery remains on bail and her stealing matters have been adjourned until August 27.
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