John Ibrahim’s romantic gift to Sarah Budge on holiday in US sparks engagement rumours
It was the question all Sydney was asking yesterday: Had John Ibrahim finally put a ring on long-time girlfriend Sarah Budge’s slender finger?
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It was the question all Sydney was asking yesterday: Had John Ibrahim finally put a ring on long-time girlfriend Sarah Budge’s slender finger?
The 29-year-old model stunned diners at Potts Point new French diner, Franca when she arrived for lunch with a girlfriend sporting the spectacular sapphire and diamond ring.
Recently arrived back from a whirlwind romantic getaway to the US with the former Kings Cross kingpin, the rumour mill went into overdrive.
Alas, sources close to Ibrahim insist the pair aren’t sealing the deal anytime soon.
The long-limbed model holidayed with Ibrahim in New York, Beverly Hills and Los Angeles putting the drama of a recent trial for gun charges well and truly behind.
Budge, who was staring down the barrel of gun possession charges after an unloaded pistol was found in her Double Bay home, was seen glowing in pictures alongside Ibrahim just weeks after being acquitted of the charges.
Budge is seen sporting the massive rock throughout their trip to the US but a source told the Daily Telegraph that the couple aren’t planning to get engaged and the ring was merely a love token to congratulate the model on getting through her court dramas.
Diners at Potts Point on Saturday also spotted the model with the ring, which they thought was on her engagement finger.
Days earlier, Budge took to Instagram to share the details of her US adventures with Ibrahim, uploading a picture of the couple embracing each other in the streets of New York.
In another picture, Budge and Ibrahim are seen adoringly embracing in a photo with friends where Budge is again seen flaunting the ring.
Another image shows the couple enjoying a cocktail together at an LA bar after a lazy brunch in Beverly Hills.
The duo appears to be stronger than ever despite a series of texts about Ibrahim’s playboy lifestyle released during the trial testing their relationship, with Budge boasting about a belated birthday surprise from Ibrahim - tickets to a Van Morrison live concert.
“This gift has been delayed for years.. I was finally able to give (and attend) the bday presents of all presents, Van Morrison live. He is @johnibrahim all time FAVORITE and it's been 25+years since he last saw him live,” Budge said in the post.
Budge appeared smitten from the romantic date, saying she was over the moon that her mum’s favourite song “Brown Eyed Girl” played.
The model and Crane bar co-owner also poked fun at the nightclub king, laughing at his old school habits.
“Whilst everyone was holding up their phones... he had a lighter, I didn't have the heart to tell him no one uses lighters these days. Either way, he was in his element,” the post says.
The post marks one of the first images of the couple that the young model has shared publicly since becoming embroiled in the dramatic trial.
The trial tested the pair’s relationship, with Budge at one point having to share personal texts which exposed the couple’s woes.
“U better not be having sex with her,” one text from Budge to Ibrahim said.
“Call me when u done with her if u even remember to … why is she in your room anyway?”
In late September Budge was acquitted of the gun possession charges, with the jury finding that she was unaware the loaded magazine was inside her home.
During the trial model Sarah Budge blamed her 51-year-old partner or someone close to him for stashing a loaded Glock pistol in her Double Bay apartment without her knowledge two years ago.
Ms Budge burst into tears and placed her head in her hands at Downing Centre District Court in late September as she was found not guilty of possessing an unauthorised pistol, which carries a 14-year maximum jail sentence.
The smiling 29-year-old thanked the jury and later said “I’m relieved” as she left court with her father and brother.