Nelson Arias: Highly regarded partner at Sydney law firm seeks bail after alleged AVO breach

A well-respected partner at a prominent Sydney law firm, facing accusations of violating an AVO and sending offensive text messages, has appealed for bail in court.

Nelson Arias on December 1 last year.

A highly regarded partner at a Sydney law firm has been granted bail after committing to a 28-day supervised rehabilitation program, a court has heard.

Randwick man Nelson Arias, 40, fronted Waverley Local Court via AVL from Parklea Correctional Centre, seeking bail after he was arrested for allegedly breaching an AVO on December 18 last year for allegedly sending a string of “disgraceful” text messages.

Arias previously appeared at Waverley a few weeks prior to his arrest, entering a not guilty plea to an assault charge and being served an apprehended violence order.

On that occasion, Arias’ barrister Sebastian De Brennan argued for his release, saying a jail sentence was not a foregone conclusion for his client. Magistrate Jacqueline Milledge ultimately granted bail with strict conditions, including not returning to the family home.

On December 21, the court heard Arias allegedly called the woman who took out the AVO “a deceitful little bitch” in a barrage of aggressive text messages. This led her to call the police.

Nelson Arias outside Waverley Local Court on December 1 last year.

The court also heard further messages where Arias is alleged to have said “Go f**k yourself, get f**ked”, and “when I get out of her I’m going to make your life miserable”.

Arias’s lawyer conceded the messages were “unimpressive” but said stronger bail conditions would be sufficient enough to protect the community.

In court on Tuesday, the 40-year-old’s barrister revealed his client would partake in a 28-day program at ‘The Sydney Retreat’ drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility, which started on Wednesday.

Waverley Courthouse. Picture by Damian Shaw

At the end of the 28 days, the court heard Arias would continue the program as an “outpatient” and he would live with his parents in Rosemeadow.

The barrister said while in custody, the conditions for Arias have been “onerous” with delays in getting medication, and being held in a protective area due to being a lawyer.

He further submitted Arias was only given 45 minutes out of his cell each day and he was struggling “not having face-to-face contact with other people”.

As part of the facilities conditions, Arias would “only have supervised access to a phone and tablet”.

Magistrate Hudson said “back in December I raised direct concern” of the risk to both the alleged victim and to Arias, himself.

He said his commitment to the program addressed the “precise issue” and the bail concerns “can be mitigated”.

Magistrate Hudson said Arias could only be released into the custody of a man appointed by his defence team, where they would travel “directly” to the centre.

Arias is then required to follow all directions of staff, take all medications and to not consume alcohol or prohibited drugs both in the facility or when residing in the community.

Arias will return to court on September 23 for a hearing.

Editor’s note:

A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that Mr Arias pleaded guilty to an assault charge. This statement was false and incorrect.

Mr Arias has pleaded not guilty and is disputing charges against him. The Wentworth Courier acknowledges its mistake.

The Wentworth Courier unreservedly apologises for the damage caused to Mr Arias.