Roxy Jacenko claims ‘tall poppy syndrome’ victim at AVO hearing
Footage of the feisty public spat which allegedly drove a disgruntled businessman to graffiti “Roxy is a c***” outside PR queen Roxy Jacenko’s Sydney office has been played in court.
NSW
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PR queen Roxy Jacenko said “alcohol does strange things to people” after a feisty public spat which allegedly drove a disgruntled businessman to graffiti “Roxy is a c***” outside her Sydney office, a court heard.
The 39-year-old says she now lives in fear and wants a restraining order taken out against currency trader Anthony Hess, who denies ever wielding spray paint or calling Ms Jacenko’s clients “fat bushpigs.”
The socialite was supported by her mother Doreen as she claimed to be a victim of “tall poppy syndrome” at Downing Centre Local Court, where she’s hired former NSW Supreme Court judge Greg James AM QC to represent her.
Ms Jacenko applied for a private apprehended violence order against the entrepreneur earlier this year after Mr Hess allegedly hurled “vulgar language” at the outspoken publicist during her $500-a-head speaking event.
The mother-of-two told the court she was about to walk on stage at The Ivy in February to address 500 guests when “he hurtled towards me … screaming and ranting,”
“He was in my face shouting,” Ms Jacenko told the hearing on Thursday.
Mr Hess, who can be heard saying “it’s disgusting” in video played to court, says he was leaving Ms Jacenko’s function early because another guest levelled homophobic slurs at him when she unleashed her own foul-mouthed tirade.
The footage shows Ms Jacenko shouting over a frustrated Mr Hess and waving her hand in his face while saying: “stop with the pointing, stop with the aggression!”
“Whatever issue you have with somebody else, the professional and the appropriate thing to do is address it with them, not with raised voices,” Ms Jacenko says.
“We will refund your tickets. have some respect for everybody else here and for me.”
The former Celebrity Apprentice Australia contestant claimed security guards had to remove the “scary” Mr Hess from the Ivy and in the video she says “wow … alcohol does strange things to people” as he walks away.
“A burly-looking man was coming towards me, saying he was attacked and swearing. My aim was to diffuse the situation,” Ms Jacenko told the court.
One of the Sweaty Betty PR founder’s clients, Booby Tape owner Bianca Roccisano, denied sparking the drama by calling Mr Hess a male prostitute who has aids at the event.
“It’s a complete lie … (I’ve) been abused for seven years by this unhinged person. I’ve had enough and I’m quite petrified for my life,” she said in court.
Her fashion designer sister Bridgett Roccisano said Mr Hess started the fracas himself when he yelled out “who let these fat bushpigs in?” as they walked past and added: “go on Jenny Craig, ew.”
Mr Hess denies making these comments.
Ms Jacenko’s lawyer says after the incident Mr Hess launched a campaign of harassment against her, claiming he has the same build as the masked graffiti culprit caught in the act on CCTV camera footage.
Telephone records show Mr Hess was near Ms Jacenko’s Paddington office that night in April, as well as the area where “Roxy Jacenko is a crook” was sprayed on a traffic barrier near Syd Einfeld Drive, the court heard.
Mr James said the Bitcoin trader had no alibi yet “had the opportunity, the motive and the means” to target her home and business.
“The vandalism was plainly designed to intimidate and to affect (Ms Jacenko’s) reputation within the community,” he said.
Ms Jacenko told the court her workplace has been egged in the past, adding “tall poppy syndrome is alive and well.”
In October the high profile publicity guru shared security footage to her 250,000 Instagram followers of a mystery blonde poo jogger who defecated outside her office, labelling the woman an “absolute disgrace.”
But Ms Jacenko said Mr Hess’ behaviour made her nervous about the safety of the two young children she has with her white collar criminal husband Oliver Curtis.
Mr Hess’ legal team sought to have any criminal history Ms Jacenko might have made public, and also subpoenaed the record of the disgraced former investment banker - who infamously spent a year in jail for insider trading.
This week the couple announced they’d put plans for a second wedding on hold due to “financial struggles.”
In another chapter of the ugly court saga, Ms Jacenko in June issued an ultimatum to Mr Hess demanding he pay her legal bills and agree to a gagging order or she’d sue him for damages. Mr Hess refused.
Ms Jacenko is protected under an interim order which prohibits Mr Hess from assaulting, stalking or threatening her or damaging any property she owns.
The 39-year-old Melbournite is also banned from contacting, harassing or intimidating her in person, over the phone or online.
Mr Hess, who poses topless with sports cars and luxury clothes on his own Instagram account, could cop a maximum $5,500 fine or two years in prison if convicted of breaching the order.
The hearing continues.