Former Neighbours star Madeleine West appeals AVO at Coffs court
Ex-Neighbours TV star Madeleine West is fighting an AVO taken out against her on behalf of the dad of her ex, celebrity chef Shannon Bennett.
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Former Neighbours TV star Madeleine West faces a long wait in a bid to overturn an AVO taken out against her on behalf of the dad of her ex, celebrity chef Shannon Bennett.
Ms West appeared before Judge Jonathan Priestley at Coffs Harbour District Court on Thursday.
Judge Priestley heard lengthy arguments from the defence and a short verbal presentation by the prosecution before announcing he would hand down his judgment on June 26.
Defence lawyer Andrew Furner said he hoped to set aside the apprehended violence order which was granted by a local court following an alleged incident at Mr Bennett’s Byron Bay home on May 4 last year.
The MasterChef personality was overseas that day and his elderly father Benny Clifton Bennett was caring for one of six children from the failed marriage of his son and Ms West.
Ms West travelled to the house to pick up the child and Benny Bennett claimed she “barged” onto the property and pushed his arm, causing him to be fearful.
These claims were strongly denied by Ms West’s lawyer.
Mr Furner and the district court at Coffs watched security footage of the incident and the lawyer said his case relied on arguing errors in fact and in law.
He said while Benny Bennett may have felt some fear on May 4, it was questionable whether he still did so at the time when the AVO was taken out against his client some 11 months later.
Mr Furner also contended any fear felt by Benny Bennett was due to being the “meat in the sandwich” after the marriage bust-up, rather than of Ms West herself.
Nicola Breward, for the prosecution, told the court Benny Bennett asked Ms West to stay at the gate to the property, and was feeling “stress” when she entered to collect her daughter.
Ms West was dressed smartly in a black jacket, pants and shoes with a salmon-coloured handbag as she sat silently following today’s hearing.
Judge Priestley said the case has “all sorts of family law colouring to it”, despite not being a Family Court matter.
Ms West and Shannon Bennett split in 2018. The former couple both live in the Byron Shire area after Shannon Bennett relocated from Melbourne, where he was previously the celebrated head chef of Vue de Monde.
Ms West starred in Australian soap Neighbours as Dee Bliss, and in a range of other Australian television productions.
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Originally published as Former Neighbours star Madeleine West appeals AVO at Coffs court
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