John Ibrahim’s girlfriend Sarah Budge to stand trial for gun possession

THE girlfriend of Kings Cross identity John Ibrahim has been ordered to stand trial on gun possession charges that carry a maximum penalty of 14 years in jail.

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POLICE have famously never been able to lay a glove on “King of the Cross” John Ibrahim but prosecutors are now looking to land a knockout blow against his girlfriend on her gun possession charges.

Sarah Budge has been ordered to stand trial in the District Court on gun possession charges that carry a maximum penalty of 14 years in jail.

The stakes have dramatically increased for Budge since prosecutors upgraded her charges earlier this year, resulting in her case being taken out of the local court, which hears matters that mostly carry a maximum penalty of two years.

Budge was arrested during police raids targeting the younger brothers of her partner Kings Cross identity John Ibrahim.

On Wednesday, Budge’s lawyer Greg Goold told the court the 28-year-old model had elected to waive her right to a committal hearing — where the strength of the evidence would be tested — and would go straight to trial in the District Court.

John Ibrahim’s girlfriend Sarah Budge faces 14 years jail if convicted on gun possession charges. Picture: John Gass

The court also heard that after negotiations between the legal teams, prosecutors agreed to withdraw three of the six charges Budge was facing.

But Budge is still facing three charges, including possessing an unauthorised pistol, possessing a prohibited weapon without a permit and possessing a defaced firearm, which all carry a maximum penalty of 14 years.

John Ibrahim was not with Budge in court. Instead, Budge’s father sat by her side to hear the development.

The charges relate to a loaded 9mm Glock pistol that was found in her eastern suburbs apartment on the day police conducted co-ordinated raids across three continents that also led to the arrest of John’s younger brothers Michael and Fadi.

Michael faces charges of masterminding a drug and tobacco smuggling operation while Fadi allegedly financed one of the tobacco imports.

John Ibrahim is not facing any charges.

Budge was charged after police allegedly found a loaded 9mm Glock pistol in her eastern suburbs apartment.

Ms Budge is not facing any charges over the smuggling syndicate.

After her arrest, Ms Budge spent a night in jail before being granted bail. She now has to report to police once a week.

She will appear in the Sydney District Court on May 25.

CHARGES SARAH BUDGE IS FACING

1. Possess unauthorised pistol T2 — Firearms Act NSW 1996 7(1). Maximum penalty is 14 years jail

2. Possess prohibited weapon without a permit — Weapons prohibition act 1998 7(1). Maximum penalty is 14 years

3. Possess defaced firearm T2 — Firearms Act 1996 NSW 66(1)(b). Maximum penalty is 14 years

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