Rocker’s model ex, Estelita Huijer, hit with new DV charges

Silverchair frontman Daniel Johns’ model ex is in renewed strife after she was charged over bizarre allegations she stole thousands of dollars in cash from a feted Sydney restaurateur and scribbled on his bookshelf. Read about it here in Snitch.

Silverchair frontman Daniel Johns’ model ex is in renewed strife after she was charged over bizarre allegations she stole thousands of dollars in cash from a feted Sydney restaurateur and scribbled on his bookshelf.

Snitch can reveal Sydney socialite Estelita Huijer briefly landed herself back in a police cell on New Year’s Eve and is facing additional charges after she breached her bail conditions.

The alleged victim is her former partner Andrew Becher, the hospitality entrepreneur behind Sydney eateries Armorica, Parler and Franca.

Model Estelita Huijer.

Andrew Becher. Picture: Christian Anstey

In September Huijer was charged with breaching an apprehended domestic violence order, property damage and stealing from a home over allegations she wrote on Mr Becher’s bookshelf in permanent marker, then stole his cash.

In that incident, police have added charges of marking premises without consent and trespassing.

Snitch can reveal Huijer was hauled into Parramatta Bail Court on new charges of common assault, breaching an apprehended domestic violence order, and possessing prohibited drugs.

She is separately facing another charge of dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage by deception.

Estelita Huijer. Picture: NewsWire / John Appleyard

Huijer was granted bail once again and faced Downing Centre Local Court last Wednesday, where she was given two weeks to consider her pleas and legal options.

The model and sometime fashion designer had a viral video moment after her release on bail, when Snitch asked if she wished to comment on the allegations against her.

“No. Do you have a lighter?” Huijer responded outside Waverley Local Court.

Barrister rapped on the knuckles over Hamas posts

A high-flying barrister has received a rap on the knuckles after praising Hamas as “absolute heroes” of the Israel-Palestine war.

Nicholas Poynder was the subject of a complaint to the Legal Services Commissioner by Australian Jewish Association CEO Robert Gregory after making social media posts he alleged constituted “serious anti-Semitic incitement and vilification against the Jewish people”.

In posts between December 2023 and February 2024, Mr Poynder first said he used to support Israel on the condition of a two-state solution.

“Then, I said Israel has lost the right to exist. Now, I support Hamas as the defender of Palestinians,” Mr Poynder said.

Barrister Nicholas Poynder.

In another post, on February 5, Mr Poynder wrote: “Israelis are monsters. They no longer deserve their own country.”

The posts on X – the platform formerly known as Twitter – have since been deleted.

Robert Gregory from the Australian Jewish Association.

The Office of the Legal Services Commissioner’s online Register of Disciplinary Action records that Mr Poynder was reprimanded after a finding of unsatisfactory professional conduct by the Council of the NSW Bar Association on December 12.

The “substance” of the misconduct was described as “posts on his account on the ‘X’ social media platform which constitute a breach of Rule 8 of the Barristers’ Rule”.

Rule 8 requires that a barrister must not engage in conduct which is “likely to diminish public confidence in the legal profession or the administration of justice, or otherwise bring the legal profession into disrepute”.

An online biography indicates Mr Poynder previously worked as a senior legal officer with the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission.

When Snitch called his Sydney chambers for comment, we were informed Mr Poynder has relocated to Adelaide.

‘OFFICER OF THE COURT’ TO APPEAL COP ASSAULT CONVICTION

A Sydney lawyer will appeal her conviction for assaulting a police officer after drunkenly kneeing him in the groin during Vivid.

A court heard Sophie Holt repeatedly called out “I’m an officer of the court” as she was arrested in Circular Quay for kneeing cycling cop Senior Constable Ben Richardson when he and his partner detained her for her own safety due to her intoxication in June 2023.

Sophie Holt outside court in July 2024. Picture: Damian Shaw

“Don’t kick him, and don’t knee me in the nuts again or you’re going to get charged,” Sen Con Richardson said in bodyworn video tendered to the court.

“I don’t f--king care,” Holt responds before Sen Con Richardson tells her she is under arrest for assaulting police.

“I’m going to remind you that I’m an officer of the court.”

Magistrate Kasey Pearce found Holt guilty of assaulting police after a defended local court hearing and sentenced her to a 12-month community correction order to be of good behaviour.

Holt will appeal her conviction in the Sydney District Court in June.

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