Sarah Budge has illegal firearm trial delayed
John Ibrahim’s girlfriend has had her trial for illegal firearm possession delayed so she can concentrate on caring for her terminally ill mother. Model and restaurant owner Sarah Budge was due to start her trial today.
NSW
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John Ibrahim’s girlfriend has had her trial for illegal firearm possession delayed so she can concentrate on caring for her terminally ill mother.
Model and restaurant owner Sarah Budge was due to start her trial on Monday after federal police allegedly found a loaded Glock pistol inside a wooden box in her Double Bay apartment in October 2017.
But Judge Helen Syme said there was no way that a fair trial could be completed while the 29-year-old’s mother was in palliative care.
“The accused’s mother is terminally ill and not expected to live very long at all. She is in palliative care,” Judge Syme said at Downing Centre District Court.
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She said Budge was required to assist her mother “in her last days” and was not in a position to properly instruct her counsel in the trial.
“There is no way in my view a fair trial could be completed in the circumstances,” Judge Syme said.
A new trial date will be set for later in the year when the matter returns to court for mention on Friday.
Budge appeared at court with her brother Jack Budge.
She was carrying a stylish $3249 Givenchy Antigona medium leather tote.
The model was dressed in a $400 Scanlon and Theodore crepe knit slit back skirt with a $280 silk turban twist blouse of the same brand.
Kings Cross identity Mr Ibrahim did not accompany her.
Budge’s home as well as Mr Ibrahim’s Dover Heights mansion were searched after federal and NSW police raided multiple properties around Sydney in connection with a suspected international smuggling ring.
No charges have been laid against Mr Ibrahim and the weapon charges against Budge are unrelated to the alleged syndicate. She has pleaded not guilty.
Mr Ibrahim’s younger brother Michael has pleaded guilty to his part in the illegal importation of MDMA and tobacco and will be sentenced later this year.
Another brother, Fadi, was charged with allegedly helping finance the importation of the illegal tobacco. He denies the charges.
In pre-trial legal argument last year, Budge waived her right to a committal hearing saying she wanted to have the matter heard as soon as possible.
Ibrahim and Budge have been dating since 2014.
Budge is free on bail after paying a $50,000 surety, and reports weekly at Waverley police station.
Originally published as Sarah Budge has illegal firearm trial delayed
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