Ryan Phelan’s ex Chelsea Franklin to be called as witness in assault charge hearing
Police prosecutors told Manly Local Court they were planning to call Ryan Phelan’s ex-girlfriend Chelsea Franklin as a witness when the former TV host faces assault charges against her.
Police & Courts
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Ballet teacher Chelsea Franklin will be called as a witness when former TV presenter Ryan Phelan faces a hearing on assault charges against her, a court has been told.
Phelan, a former co-host on Channel 7‘s The Daily Edition, was mentioned in Manly Local Court on Tuesday after pleading not guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and common assault.
Police allege in court documents the 45-year-old assaulted Franklin, 44, at their Frenchs Forest house in Sydney‘s north on June 20 where they had been living with their children.
Police prosecutors told the court they were planning to call the investigating officer into the incident and Ms Franklin as witnesses when the matter returns to court for a hearing on December 22.
The court documents stated Phelan, who has been staying with a friend in recent weeks, has not returned to the couple‘s house after the incident and has only spoken to Franklin on email.
“The offence involved violence in a domestic situation … (Phelan) has no history of violence,” police allege in the documents.
Phelan was stood down by the network after The Daily Telegraph broke the news of his charges in June, two days after the alleged incident occurred.
Claudette Chua, of Cockburn and Co, is Phelan‘s instructing solicitor, while he has also engaged high profile barrister Margaret Cunneen SC.
“I understand police were going to ask (the matter) might be adjourned today,” she said.
“It was adjourned on the (previous) occasion in order for representations to be made.”
Ms Chua had previously said outside court: “The allegation against my client is emphatically denied.“
Franklin, a ballet teacher, previously told the Telegraph she was “completely devastated” after Phelan had been charged with offences against her.
“I am completely devastated. I’m heartbroken,” she said.
“He was my best friend and lover. We have had an amazing wonderful relationship, so I hope he is OK.”
On Instagram two days ago she posted a photo of her with a friend with the caption: “Keep your heels, head and standards high”.
Phelan’s exit from The Daily Edition was only days prior to the show airing its final episode.
Channel 7 bosses said the daytime program had been axed due to increased pressures on the business because of coronavirus.