Phillip de Angelis escapes jail and home detention for Nellie Tilley domestic violence

EXCLUSIVE: He avoided jail, now the son of a wealthy Sydney pub baron won’t even spend time on house arrest for his “disgraceful” attacks on his ex-girlfriend.

Phillip De Angelis leaving court, with his parents and legal team, on Friday. Picture: John Grainger

• Phillip de Angelis jailed to home detention in luxury
• Sydney socialite shows judge scar from cigarette lighter

EXCLUSIVE: He avoided jail, now the son of a wealthy Sydney pub baron won’t even spend time on house arrest for his “disgraceful” attacks on his ex-girlfriend.

Phillip De Angelis — son of hotelier Arch de Angelis — pleaded guilty to five charges of domestic violence, including reckless wounding and common assault, against well-known interior designer Nellie Tilley in 2015 and 2016.

Victim Nellie Tilley at court for ex-boyfriend Phillip de Angelis’ sentencing in 2018.

MORE NEWS:

NRL rejects Dragons De Belin’s plea

‘The city is holding a secret’: Sister’s plea over $1m cold case

Allianz tenants demand ‘curtain’ to hide empty seats

Local Court magistrate Philip Stewart called it a “cowardly, disgraceful” campaign of abuse against Ms Tilley for which “no penalty other than imprisonment is appropriate”.

De Angelis punched Ms Tilley in the mouth in the back of a cab one night and hurled a cigarette lighter at her head, leaving a permanent scar, on another occasion.

Mr Stewart last year ruled De Angelis was suitable for home detention, meaning he could serve a 12-months sentence inside his multimillion-dollar waterfront apartment in Bondi Beach.

But his legal team — headed by barrister Phillip Boulten SC — successfully appealed the home detention provision in his sentence on Friday.

“He accepts that what he was doing was wrong, it was

Phillip De Angelis attended court today with his parents and legal team. Picture: John Grainger

very wrong and he accepts the victim did not deserve it,” Mr Boulten told Downing Centre District Court.

Judge Sharon Norton ultimately ruled home detention “does not assist him to obtain the treatment he needs” for rehabilitation which he entered into after he was charged.

Mr Boulten offered an alternative — that de Angelis, who must abstain from alcohol and drug use as part of his sentence, would be monitored by his GP.

The doctor agreed to report de Angelis to Community Corrections if he tested positive to drugs or deviated from an agreed treatment plan.

The apartment block, with views of Bondi Beach, where de Angelis lives.

Ms Norton said: “I find that this need for supervision and treatment can best be achieved through his GP.”

The court also heard details of the counselling and rehabilitation completed by de Angelis, including at Thailand’s The Cabin facility and in anger management courses with the Relationships Australia organisation.

“I commend you on how far you’ve come so far, I hope you continue the journey,” Ms Norton told de Angelis.

He was sentenced on Friday on each of the five charges, to a total of 750 hours community services and new community corrections and intensive corrections orders which prevent him drinking, taking drugs and mandating his rehabilitation for the next two years.