Estranged wife of ex-AFL player’s handwritten note as new claims come to light
The estranged wife of a former AFL player has handed judges a 20-word handwritten note as she defends herself after police raided a Bali “brothel”.
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The estranged wife of former AFL player Ricky Olarenshaw has handed three judges a 20-word handwritten note as she submitted her defence in court for the first time.
Saranitha “Nitha” Olarenshaw, an Instagram influencer with 20,000 followers, was arrested in Bali in October, 2024, over her alleged involvement in a spa facility accused of engaging in prostitution.
The 36-year-old, whose real name is Ni Ketut Sri Astari Saranitha, is on trial over allegations she operated the alleged brothel, which is alleged to be in violation of Indonesia’s strict prostitution laws.
As reported by the ABC, Olarenshaw fronted the court this week in a prison uniform. She is being held in Bali’s infamous Kerobokan prison.
She is one of four women alleged to be employees of the Flame Spa massage parlour facing trial after a police raid of the Seminyak venue in September.
Separate to these proceedings, without providing any proof of the allegation, Saranitha’s lawyers have claimed the former Essendon footballer and three other Australian men had a financial stake in the business.
These claims are unproven. The Australian men are facing no charges. They are not accused of any wrongdoing.
Nitha’s lawyer Donny Tri Istiqomah told reporters in October his client is a “victim of exploitation” from unidentified foreign citizens.
As reported by The Herald Sun, Ricky and Nitha separated in early 2024.
The couple have two children.
Olarenshaw returned to Australia before the police raid and has been living on the Gold Coast.
According to the ABC, Saranitha was in tears in court as she said: “I wish he was here and faced the same things that I am facing (along) with my other staff”.
She also re-iterated her lawyers’ comments that she was not aware of what was going on at the Flame Spa.
“I regret that I trusted him [Olarenshaw], and I was supporting him for what I thought was the right thing,” she told reporters.
She is also reported to have handed judges a handwritten note where she begged for leniency.
“Hopefully my experience will be a lesson for women in Indonesia, and especially Bali to not make the same mistake,” she wrote in the note.
Indonesian prosecutors said they are seeking a nine month prison sentence. Anti-pornography offences can carry sentences of up to 12 years in Indonesia.
The verdict is set for March 4.
Olarenshaw in November said media reports about the Bali spa arrests were not correct. “I’ve got nothing to say. It’s a delicate and complicated situation,” he told Nine News.
“Her business is under investigation with the Indonesian authorities at the moment. Being a legal matter, I really can’t comment further on that.
“A lot that has been reported has been false and inaccurate which has been frustrating and disappointing. That’s all I really have to say. My focus now is to get reunited with my children.”
Prostitution is illegal in Indonesia. Flame Spa Bali’s website says “We strictly prohibit sexual intercourse.”
Services at Flame Spa range from $189 to $283 per session, according to Indonesian police.
The venue described its motto: “Our service is more than just a sensual massage, it is an erotic experience. Our aim is to ignite your flame”.
Ricky played 77 games for Essendon, starting in 1993, before spending two seasons at Collingwood where he only played five games.
Olarenshaw became a successful businessman in Bali off the back of three F45 gym franchises.
He also garnered a reputation as being “The King of Bali” throwing lavish parties for his former AFL friends.
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Originally published as Estranged wife of ex-AFL player’s handwritten note as new claims come to light
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