Millionaire could spend 18 months in jail for campaign of domestic violence against ex-girlfriend

RICH publican Phillip de Angelis could spend 18 months in jail for his “cowardly, disgraceful” campaign of domestic violence against his socialite and interior decorator ex-girlfriend but will be assessed for home detention.

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Rich publican Phillip de Angelis could spend 18 months in jail for his “cowardly, disgraceful” campaign of domestic violence against his socialite and interior decorator ex-girlfriend but will be assessed for home detention.

De Angelis, 38, pleaded guilty to five domestic violence charges involving mother-of-three Nellie Tilley in 2016, including punching her in the mouth, throwing a lighter at her causing a gash on her forehead and beating a bathroom door to try to get to her after she found a video on De Angelis’s phone of him having sex with someone else.

Magistrate Philip Stewart told Downing Centre Local Court today “no penalty other than imprisonment is appropriate” but adjourned the case so De Angelis could be assessed for home detention.

Mr Stewart said De Angelis “will be sent to prison” if deemed unsuitable for home detention.

He also said references tabled by De Angelis’ family detailed the distress caused by the charges and subsequent media coverage rather than genuine concern for the victim.

“I am unable to find there is genuine remorse,” Mr Stewart said.

Phillip De Angelis arrives at The Downing Centre.

He said De Angelis’ actions were “cowardly, disgraceful, belittling and controlling” and “there is no place in society for domestic violence”.

After a dinner in Double Bay in February 2016, the couple were back at Ms Tilley’s residence when De Angelis began accusing her of being unfaithful.

Suspicious at his behaviour, Ms Tilley took his phone and ran to the bathroom where she “found footage of the offender having sex with another person”, according to agreed facts read in court today.

De Angelis damaged the door to the bathroom with his feet and fists as he pleaded for her to come out.

On another occasion De Angelis verbally abused Ms Tilley after a birthday his family had put on for him in October 2015. In a taxi, he struck her in the mouth, pinched and twisted her skin and pushed her head.

Nellie Tilley.

He also hurled a lighter at Ms Tilley, leaving a deep laceration on her forehead during an argument at his Bondi apartment in September 2016.

“Oh my god bubby what have I done? You don’t deserve this,” De Angelis allegedly said after the attack and began to cry.

Ms Tilley is the former wife of wealthy hotelier Simon Tilley, the brother of James Packer’s close confidant Ben Tilley.

She was not in court for today’s sentence but gave a detailed statement to a hearing last month.

“How do I measure the impact of my sons watching their mother change from a confident positive happy woman to an anxious, edgy, sad and highly strung mum?,” Ms Tilley said.

“How do I measure the impact of being socially ostracised for coming forward?

“Seeing his enraged face is something I will never forget. I can’t ever express how terrifying that is.”

The case will return to Downing Centre Local Court on January 29.