Andrew Marsh: Deborah Hutton’s ‘dear friend’ on assault charge
A meditation guru to the stars who Deborah Hutton has described as a ‘dear friend’ will spend Christmas on remand over an alleged assault.
Wentworth Courier
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A meditation guru to the stars who was staying with former Women’s Weekly editor Deborah Hutton after a marriage breakdown is accused of a violent attack on two people with one allegedly placed in a chokehold.
Waverley Local Court heard on Tuesday that there was a “very strong prosecution case” against Andrew Peter Sinclair Marsh, 50, who is accused of entering a home in Sydney on Monday morning and scaring the two occupants so much that one thought “she is going to die”.
“The victims your honour are so scared when they find the accused is in the house, they hide in the cupboard and attempt to find help,” the prosecution told the court. “Putting one victim in a chokehold, she states to police this makes her think she is going to die.”
Marsh is “a dear friend” of model and former magazine editor Hutton. His court papers list Hutton’s Bronte home as his address, however, the prosecution told Magistrate Jacqueline Trad he is homeless and currently sleeping in his car.
Ms Hutton said in a statement yesterday that Marsh was not living with her.
“Contrary to various media reports, Andrew Marsh is not living with me — I consider him a very dear friend and in what has been an incredibly challenging year for Andrew, I offered him my full support during the breakdown of his marriage as he had nowhere to go. This is totally out of character for him and I’m shocked at what has unfolded over the past few days and hope that Andrew is able to receive the help he clearly needs.”
The winemaker, who now runs meditation courses and leads spiritual retreats to India, pleaded not guilty to two counts of common assault and one count of intentionally choking a person without consent. Marsh pleaded guilty to a charge of cocaine possession.
The court was told there is a “very strong” prosecution case which includes text messages from the alleged victims pleading for help.
Marsh’s lawyer said if given bail her client would live with his brother in Darlinghurst, but it was refused by Magistrate Trad.
“What is alleged to have occurred is of considerable concern in relation to threats which have been made as well as the actual physical assaults alleged,” Magistrate Trad said.
Marsh appeared in court via videolink. His former clients have included celebrities and high profile athletes, including pro surfers John Florence and Jamie O’Brien. The case will return to court on January 28.
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