Sarah Budge and John Ibrahim’s text messages
Model Sarah Budge was found not guilty of gun possession in a trial which laid bare her turbulent relationship with former nightclub owner John Ibrahim, in text messages revealed in court documents. READ THE FULL TEXTS
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When former Kings Cross nightclub owner John Ibrahim’s girlfriend asked if he was cheating on her, he coldly replied: “Shut the f … up, I’m busy.”
“U better not be having sex with her,” Sarah Budge texted her 51-year-old lover, five days before police found a loaded gun at her Sydney home.
“Call me when u done with her if u even remember to … why is she in your room anyway?”
Model and restaurateur Ms Budge, 29, was acquitted of gun charges this week, ending a humiliating three-week trial during which her strained six-year relationship with the man who called himself “Sexy John” was aired.
Ms Budge convinced a jury that Mr Ibrahim or someone close to him planted a stolen Glock pistol at her Double Bay “princess pad” without her knowledge two years ago.
But text messages between the couple before the 2017 police raids reveal Mr Ibrahim ignored Ms Budge as she agonised over her dying mother, prompting her to tell a friend: “I hate John.”
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Five days before the raids, Ms Budge suffered yet another blow when she saw an Instagram story posted by a woman from inside Mr Ibrahim’s bedroom, the court heard.
“It’s so unfair, I keep looking like a fool with these women all posting in your room … it does make me feel sad and confussed (sic),” Budge wrote on August 3, 2017.
“Shut the f … up im busy,” Mr Ibrahim replied.
Yet Ms Budge couldn’t wait to start a family with the charismatic man 21 years her senior, texting Mr Ibrahim her hopes for the future on July 20.
“This trip is my last hooray party trip then im popping out kids and become a yummy mummy, half model wifey cooking lamb chops and baking cakes for you lol hahah dreams,” she wrote.
Ms Budge, who owns Crane Bar in Potts Point, said it was “just another kick to the chin” when five days later she heard Mr Ibrahim declare he was single, while promoting his book live on radio.
“You f … ing a … hole … I’m so disappointed and I look like an idiot again,” she texted him.
Ms Budge complained her distant partner made her “suffer” and begged him to “have a heart” and let her visit his Dover Heights mansion, the court heard.
PICTURE SPECIAL: INSIDE PRIVATE WORLD OF IBRAHIM GIRLFIREND
On one occasion, Ms Budge tried to entice her boyfriend with offers to deliver cronuts to his manor, but later texted her friend calling Mr Ibrahim a “F … WIT” for standing her up all day.
“Why are you being mean and ignoring me?” Ms Budge texted on July 30.
“Not answering means I don’t want to talk u annoying f …,” Mr Ibrahim replied.
“Please just chat to me,” Ms Budge said a day later.
“Stop with the f … ing questions just relax,” Mr Ibrahim answered.
Two days before police swooped on Ms Budge’s unit, she confronted Mr Ibrahim about another woman in his life.
“Did something happen with you guys and that’s why you don’t want to see me? I feel like shit every time she stay I get ditched … so slack,” she said.
“Not seeing you tonight. That’s it,” was Mr Ibrahim’s only reply.
“Have the decency to let me know,” Ms Budge demanded.
“No,” he replied.
Ms Budge then called her boyfriend a “c …” in a message to her model flatmate Krystal Ford, before explaining to Mr Ibrahim the toll his behaviour was taking on her as she fretted over her terminally ill mum who was battling breast cancer in hospital.
“Lucky I’m not weak hey and actually deal with my shit unlike everyone else ur there for. Wonder if ur still sexually frustrated hey,” Ms Budge wrote.
It can now be revealed Mr Ibrahim volunteered to testify at Ms Budge’s trial but her lawyers decided against it.
“He was subpoenaed and willing to give evidence but we didn’t think it was necessary,” defence solicitor Greg Gould told The Daily Telegraph.
“Sarah’s evidence was strong and reliable.”
Mr Ibrahim, who Ms Budge has been dating since 2014, did not accompany her to court.
During her trial, the court heard DNA found on the trigger of the gun likely belonged to Mr Ibrahim.
Prosecutor Chris Taylor said Mr Ibrahim may as well have thrown a stolen gun off a cliff rather than try to hide it “in a really obvious spot” at the bottom of Ms Budge’s wardrobe in “prime high heel shoe territory”.
The publisher of Mr Ibrahim’s bestselling autobiography describes him as “Australia’s most notorious underworld figure” and Mr Taylor had suggested Ms Budge kept the weapon for protection amid safety concerns around the release of the memoir.
After spending the night in jail after her arrest, Ms Budge said she confronted Mr Ibrahim, who told her it was “best I didn’t know” why the gun was in her unit, adding she was in “enough trouble as it is”.
“I don’t think he deliberately put me in this bad position,” a tearful Ms Budge said.
“I don’t think he’d try and do something to hurt me.”
Defence barrister Simon Buchen SC urged the jury not to judge Ms Budge for staying with the man who had breached her trust and at times treated her “with absolute contempt”.
“The human heart doesn’t always obey the laws of logic,” he said.
SARAH BUDGE’S TEXT MESSAGES TENDERED TO COURT:
9/05/17 3:53pm
Sarah > Sexy John: I got you colour brushes and this moisturizer stuff that you use with help with dryness like I said. And I want Zoe.
15/05/17 2:11pm
Sarah > Sexy John: Thanks for nice day yesterday. Sorry if I forced you into it. But was a lot of fun! And least got to make it more about than normal lol. I love you John even though you are busy, mentally not. You will come back, xxxxxxxxxxx I got these lady vitamins on way home. I can’t wait to have a family with you it’s killing me x.
02/06/17 7:42pm
Sarah > John: F … my life. I just walked out of my apartment to get food. Grabbed wrong keys. Locked out.
02/06/17 7:43pm
Sarah > Sexy John: Can’t win at moment. F … ing got my alcohol cupboard keys, God knows how much this will cost. Again.
27/06/17 10:09am
Sarah > John: Just locked myself out of apartment after searching for crane key … and dogs in car. Wow.
1/07/17 5:01pm
Sarah > Sexy John: Im at the hospital.
13/07/17 12:29pm
Jack New > Sarah: She’s home, but she’s going to have to go to hospital tonight I’d say cause she can’t wake up without oxygen again.
13/07/17 2:51pm
Sarah > Mum: R u back in hospital?? What did they say?
13/07/17 3:43pm
Sarah > Sexy John: Nightmare day … where u?
13/07/17 3:44pm
Sarah > Sexy John: Mum got sent back to hospital … trying to get a hold of her but she not answering …
14/07/17 6:34pm
Sarah > Sexy John: So upset my day was too hectic really wanted a tiny cuddle. Xxx
15/07/17 2:29pm
Sarah > Sexy John: Hey babe can u maybe text me please … do I get to see you tonight?
15/07/17 2:47pm
Sarah > Sexy John via whatsapp: Why am I being ignored … kinda upsetting. Feel like I haven’t seen you!!! I’ll bring cronuts!
15/07/17 2:52pm
Sexy John > Sarah: Busy.
15/07/17 2:54pm
Sarah > Sexy John: Ok will I see u later? Or be able to chat later?
15/07/17 2:55pm
Sexy John > Sarah: Yes
15/07/17 7:25pm
Sarah > Sexy John: Well this sucks. Been waiting, really wanted to see u after being ignored for 24hrs. Can I at least bring breakfast over in the morning if u have no intention of seeing me tonight … let me know. I’m packed and ready to come now.
16/07/17 7:28am
Sarah > Sexy John: Can u please call me john this is just getting mean now …
16/07/17 9:29am
Sarah > Sexy John: Are u w/ (relative)
16/07/17 9:30am
Sexy John > Sarah: No just sick
16/07/17 9:45am
Sarah > Sexy John: Can u just give me time to come so im not sitting around like an idiot today as well please. Have a heart.
16/07/17 1:05pm
Sarah > Sexy John: Going to leave hospital in like 25 then it takes me like 25 to get back to east. Can I then come??
16/07/17 6:14pm
Sarah > Krystal New: Went n saw mum … f … ing waiting for this F … WIT. Been in contact but hed f … ed me around. Anyway iv eaten so nuch lol. How was ur day??
16/07/17 6:30pm
Sarah > Sexy John: Why r u making me suffer I don’t get why … glad everyone else got a piece of u this week and weekend. Ow fyi (Mr Ibrahim’s former lover) called last night too so maybe that’s a shit feeling to feel, her and her little remarks … and even more of a reason I want to feel close to you besides not seeing u all week. But who cares when it comes to me! Cant even get a reply to be fair or considerate..! F … ing harrom. Beyond mean for no reason. Doing my thing and things are good and I still almost punished. I do not get it.
16/07/17 6:37pm
Sarah > Nat Jang: I hate John.
17/07/17 7:59pm
Sarah > Sexy John: Finished at hospital walking into home call wen free x
17/07/17 8:31pm
Sarah > Laura: Puppy has a broken pelvis in 2 places … she fell off J balcony. F … ing nightmare. So lucky! To be alive. She went to hospital and is on bed rest for 6 weeks! Vut she is ok and happy little pup still/
18/07/17 11:01am
Sarah > Sexy John: Hows your day?X
18/07/17 11:01am
Sexy John > Sarah: Full of meetings
19/07/17 10:19am
Sarah > Mum: How u feeling today
19/07/17 10:20am
Sarah > Mum: Have doctors said anything
19/07/17 10:23am
Mum > Sarah: One yesterday said if my X-rays r good that I get today I can go home. The other said I might have some dye put down my throat at the end of the week! So god knows.
19/07/17 4:35pm
Sexy John > Sarah: How fare are u
19/07/2017 5:48pm
Sarah > Sexy John: Tell Margaret not come in and take Zoe off the lead it’s been 2 weeks is meant to be six ways a hip is still clicking cause she’s been running up and down stairs all day. Im the one that has to look after her. It’s a joke.
20/07/2017 8:49am
Sarah > Sexy John: This trip is my last hooray party trip then im popping out kids and become a yummy mummy, half model wifey cooking lamb chops and baking cakes for you lol hahah dreams
20/07/2017 7:54pm
Sarah > Sexy John: I was calling because i spoke to mum … she sitting in hospital reading ur book lol
20/07/2017 7:57pm
Sarah > Sexy John: They rekon her lung op went really well ans they happy. They started steroid today and chemo next week. Sounds like the cancer is making hard to breathe. I don’t know im confussed. She sounded positive thougg.
21/07/2017 11:20am
Mum > Sarah: think I’m going home soon. Will know in a couple of hours.
21/07/2017 2:34pm
Sarah > Sexy John: U see my text?
21/07/2017 2:37pm
Sarah > Sexy John: Mum loves the book
23/07/2017 8:25am
Bridge (email) > Sarah: Subject: Fwd: Exclusive extract: John Ibrahim tells his story. Begin forwarded message. From: The Daily Telegraph
23/07/2017 8:40am
Sarah > Sexy John: Keep me in the loop im being calm and knickers on just don’t want to sit by myself here all day … please … x
23/07/2017 10:38am
Sexy John > Sarah: I’m still just here waiting
23/07/2017 2:44pm
Sarah > Sexy John: And now I wont get to see you b4 u go away. You want me working it means im only free on weekend too … so im never going to see you if you dont start planning ahead and being fair. At home now. In tears. Can u please actually try to see me later. Surly you can see I dont want to be alone. Things are dragged out every weekend so you cant make plans or let them down. Just so unfair.
23/07/2017 2:44pm
Sexy John > Sarah: Sarah I’m stressed got shit on … Just relax everything will work out
24/07/2017 4:16pm
Sarah > Sexy John: I wont write anything about us? Cant i, i did help you with it and im missing out on tonight. Id like to promote and push it out like everyone got to …? I thought it was out thursday so i was going to do one on Wednesday?
24/07/2017 4:25pm
Sexy John > Sarah: No
25/07/2017 9:22am
Sarah > Jang: Bu interview tomorrow. He shitting himself
25/07/2017 2:28am
Sarah > Sexy John: Tried calling b4. My mum has 5om all today getting CT scan results. Either way has to have chemo but this will show or say wat is wrong … she will be in bad way today so im going to go gladesville later …
25/07/17 5:59pm
Sarah > Sexy John: Im so happy and excited for you. All that hard work and craziness of the past 8months. People are frothing x
25/07/17 6:32pm
Nat Jang > Sarah: What times the interview tomorrow? Lol I’m going to listen.
25/07/17 6:45pm
Sarah > Nat Jang: 7:30 lol
26/07/17 8:11am
Bridge > Sarah: I think I’m listening live
26/07/17 8:35am
Bridge > Sarah: He’s doing really well
26/07/17 8:35am
Sarah > Sexy John: You f … ing asshole. Mums listening thanks so much. Seriously what the f …
26/07/17 8:35am
Sarah > Bridge: F … him. He’s such an a..hole.
26/07/17: 8:52am
Sarah > Sexy John: Your kidding right.
26/07/17 8:52am
Sexy John > Sarah: What
26/07/17 8:52am
Nat Jang > Sarah: Did you just listen to J on radio?
26/07/17 8:59
Sarah > Sexy John: Just another kick to the chin. Im so disappointed and I look like an idiot again.
26/07/17 9:00am
Sarah > Sexy John: I can’t believe you
26/07/17 6:12pm
Sarah > Sexy John: Why r u punishing me after the night I had and now this morning? Whats going on I want to see u before u pickup and leaving. U said I could stay? Can u not ditch me.
26/07/17 6:44pm
Sexy John > Sarah: Catch a cab to mine
26/07/17 6:45pm
Sarah > Sexy John: Ok
28/07/17 3:27pm
Sarah > Sexy John: Everyone is buying it and loves it! Im so proud of u xxxxx
28/07/17 3:32pm
Sexy John > Sarah: Us it was a team effort
28/07/18 3:51pm
Sarah > Sexy John: xxxx
28/07/17 5:01pm
Sexy John > Sarah: Not 6 pages but it ran. We went across news.com nationally tho. Selling like hot cakes. They’re grabbing it from the trolleys before it hits shelves. Another 8000 reprinted today to meet demand.
28/07/17 8:47pm
Dan Ibrahim > Sarah: You at johns
28/07/17 8:54pm
Sarah > Dan Ibrahim: Yeah
29/07/17 1:08pm
Sarah > Sexy John: What u guys up to today? Im at work been here already for 4hrs u prob only just woke up! Its been quiet so kinda boring
30/07/17 8:20pm
Sarah > Sexy John: Why r u being mean and igorning me suddenly … u said to call u and you ignoring?
30/07/17 8:31pm
Sexy John > Sarah: Not answering means I don’t want to talk u annoying f …
30/07/17 11:12pm
Sexy John > Sarah: Take bins out keep the curtains closed
31/07/17 8:45am
Sarah > Sexy John: I was asleep at like 9.30 way b4 u sent that … whats with the curtains?
31/07/17 8:47am
Sexy John > Sarah: There was a guy with telescopic lens at the top of the stairs in the afternoon Margaret saw him
31/07/17 8:47am
Sarah > Sexy John: Lounge room ones are still closed I didn’t touch them.
31/07/17 9:04am
Sarah > Sexy John: ow weird ok cool
31/07/17 9:04am
Sarah > Sexy John: John can u please talk to me for a second im not doing anything I jst want to know whats going on. U acting weird to me? You’ve been so nice and loving me and now ur being mean?
31/07/17 9:05am
Sexy John > Sarah: Stop with the f … ing questions just relax
31/07/17 9:05am
Sarah > Sexy John: Im not fighting or anything so relax please jst chat to me.
31/07/17 9:07am
Sarah > Sexy John: I am relaxed. I just want to know whats the go. Weird everyone coming home and not you … I just feel like your being mean to me … just feeling paranoid because you’ve been so nice and now you’ve turned
31/07/17 9:07am
Sexy John > Sarah: There is nothing to be paranoid about
31/07/17 10:00am
Sarah > Sexy John: U suck today
31/07/17 5:02pm
Sexy John > Sarah: I’m going back tomorrow
31/07/17 5:03pm
Sarah > Sexy John: Okay cool so u land tomorrow or wed?
31/07/17 5:03pm
Sexy John > Sarah: Tomorrow
31/07/17 5:04pm
Sarah > Sexy John: Cool what time? U want me to pick u up? Xxx
31/07/17 5:04pm
Sexy John > Sarah: No im good.
31/07/17 5:05pm
Sarah > Sexy John: What time you home?
31/07/17 5:10pm
Sarah > Sexy John: God ur annoying why wont u answer?
31/07/17 5:10pm
Sarah > Sexy John: U want to do a shop tonight or something? What time u land
31/07/71 5:14pm
Sexy John > Sarah: No all good
31/07/17 5:41pm
Sarah > Sexy John: Why are you being so cold? And not chatty? U ok? Something happens u have to deal with in syd?
31/07/71 7:54pm
Sarah> Krystal New: J being weirdo ignoring meeee lol but good. He home tomoz apparently.
01/08/17 3:22pm
Sexy John > Sarah: Where u
01/08/17 3:22pm
Sarah > Sexy John: At crane been doing work here past 3 hours. U home yet
01/08/17 4:19pm
Mum > Sarah: I am going to a workshop called “Look good feel better” … It teaches skincare during chemo, makeup, eyebrows etc. Do u want to come with me? … It’s just one off day? Also, we need to make an apt to go to a wig shop. So we will have to organise a date soon if u want to come.
01/08/17 4:26pm
Sarah > Mum: Yeah I’ll come to everything just tell me dates and times and ill make it all work. Mondays tues or Fridays are best around work but they will understand if it other days.
01/08/17 4:31pm
Mum > Sarah: The makeup day is on a Monday and the wig one we need to make an apt.
01/08/17 4:45pm
Sarah > Mum: Yep perfect
01/08/17 7:49pm
Sarah > Sexy John: Hey baby … u got your shoes off? Had massive casting today for big job last min. U good? Xxxx
01/08/17 9:15pm
Sarah > Sexy John: Im about to go to bed soon just showering etc. im working tomoz so wont see you during day – if u still up give me buzz or wen do u think I will see u? R u busy tomoz night with book and series stuff?
02/08/2017 4:48pm
Sarah > Sexy John: Hey about to pack upp ill be out of here around 5:30 should i come past? :) whats the go? Xoxoxo
03/08/2017 9:01am
Sarah > Sexy John: Good morning baby xxxx
03/08/2017 9:01am
Sarah > Sexy John: Did u have a sleep in xx
03/08/2017 9:01am
Sexy John > Sarah: Good morning
03/08/2017 2:34pm
Sarah > Sexy John: U better not be having sex with her. U tell me to go to work etc because ur too busy to talk to me but u can have (another woman) over in your bedroom and she purposely posts a pic? … its so unfair I keep looking like a fool with these women all posting in your room but complain when your actual girlfriend is in ur life … Dont forget whole of syd got told ur single … Im not reacting to this bulshit but it does make me feel sad and confussed … anyway im doing my thing keeping busy with my shit and all this stuff keeps happening. Call me when u done with her if u even remember to … Why is she in your room anyway
03/08/2017 2:38pm
Sexy John > Sarah: Shut the f … up im busy
03/08/2017 5:37pm
Sarah > Sexy John: Im done waiting for lift out city. Buzz me
04/08/2017 5:22pm
Sarah > Sexy John: Going to go grab fish u want me to drop some off? Or u wanna come to the small takeaway one and eat. We can literally eat and ill drop u straight home?
04/08/2017 5:22pm
Sarah > Sexy John: Can pik u up not get out of car
04/08/2017 5:22pm
Sexy John > Sarah: Ok pick up
04/08/2017 5:31pm
Sexy John > Sarah: How far
04/08/2017 5:31pm
Sarah > Sexy John: 3 min
04/08/2017 5:35pm
Sarah > Sexy John: Here
04/08/2017 7:56pm
Sarah > Sexy John: Omg I have a 12pm call time again tomoz!!!!!!
05/08/2017 7:43am
Sexy John > Sarah: U there yet?
05/08/2017 7:44am
Sarah > Sexy John: Lol leaving mine now to go.
05/08/2017 7:44am
Sexy John > Sarah: That’s the way
05/08/2017 9:09pm
Sarah > Sexy John: Didn’t get out till 8 … so annoying. So cold … my call time early 7:30am how was dinner?
06/08/2017 12:26pm
Sarah > Sexy John: How was breakfast and last night? Im still sitting arounf … prob wont be done till like 4 or 5. so annoying. And I just got a text mum going back to hospital she having trouble breathing again – poor thing and her chemo on tues wonder how long till it will help … Im so tireddddd
06/08/17 4:11pm
Krystal New > Sarah: What you doing tonight
06/08/17 4:12pm
Sarah > Krystal New: Mean to be w j but f … knows. I’ll be going home after this either way.
06/08/17 5:01pm
Sexy John > Sarah: Not seeing u today
06/08/17 5:01pm
Sarah > Sexy John: Are u serious … whats going on? Im nearly done … did something happen with u guys and that’s why u don’t want to see me?? I feel like shit everytime she stay I get ditched … so slack.
06/08/17 5:02pm
Sarah > Sexy John: Are you with them?
06/08/17 5:03pm
Sarah > Sexy John: ???
06/08/17 5:04pm
Sexy John > Sarah: Not seeing u tonight. That’s it.
06/08/17 5:04pm
Sarah > Sexy John: Have the decency to let me know if ur with them john
06/08/17 5:05pm
Sexy John > Sarah: No
06/08/17 5:09pm
Sarah > Sexy John: Did something happen with u guys last night? … everytime u see her you wont see me. You can’t all ur place isn’t good to be there anymore after last night. Being all nice love seeing photos of your and was thinking u happy and nice you need to sort this whole (Mr Ibrahim’s former partner) thing out her staying releases something in her and it isn’t healthy for her clearly or all of us.
06/08/17 5:09pm
Sarah > Krystal New: Im keen im not seeing him he a c …
06/08/17 5:10pm
Sarah > Jack New: Hows mum
06/08/17 5:10pm
Jack New > Sarah: She seems alright. She said don’t come in tonight so im going to go in tomorrow.
06/08/17 5:14pm
Sarah > Sexy John: Have a fab night! Thanks for ditching and not even answering to speak to me. Awesome when I jst told u mum back in hospital and u know the week im about to have. And I didn’t sleep last night. Lucky im not weak hey and actually deal with my shit unlike everyone else ur there for. Wonder if ur still sexually frustrated hey.
06/08/17 7:47pm
Sarah > Mum: How u feeling?
06/08/17 8:05pm
Mum > Sarah: Good cause im in oxygen! Did u just finish.
06/08/17 8:09pm
Sarah > Mum: I finished around 6. Phone died went home to charge and came to eat. Glad u can breathe. What are they saying? Longest dayyy thank god its over.
06/08/17 8:11pm
Mum > Sarah: They think cause I went off my blood thinner to have my port out in and also they took me off the steroids. Might have been a bit early.
06/08/17 8:16pm
Sarah > Mum: Ah okay … least nothing bad. Where is chemo? R u staying in hospital
06/08/17 8:28pm
Mum > Sarah: For now yes. Chemo is across the road.
06/08/18 8:41pm
Sarah > Mum: okay cool ill come past tomoz.