Lawyer X: Nicola Gobbo says she’s overcome with guilt over her children, family in wake of scandal

Barrister turned informant Nicola Gobbo has told a court she has been “devastated” by what her family has experienced in the wake of the Lawyer X scandal, saying “there’s no end in sight”.

Barrister turned informant Nicola Gobbo says she is overcome with guilt over what her children have been put through in the wake of the Lawyer X scandal.

On the third day of her evidence in the Supreme Court, Ms Gobbo, 51, said her children suffered anxiety and separation issues after the family was forced into hiding following revelations she had been informing on her underworld clients.

“It’s devastated me and it’s filled me with overwhelming guilt for what my children and family have experienced through no fault of any actions of their own,” she said on Friday.

Asked about her own mental health, Ms Gobbo said she was “broken and exhausted”.

Nicola Gobbo leaves Melbourne Magistrates’ Court with Tony Mokbel.

“I find it really difficult to get to sleep and I am tense or on edge all the time,” she said.

“There’s just no end in sight.”

The former lawyer earlier accused Victoria Police of threatening to strip her children from her custody if she refused to comply with strict orders imposed on her family under their protection.

The court heard all aspects of their lives were controlled, including where they lived, what they could do and where they could go.

The former gangland lawyer, 51, is suing the state of Victoria seeking compensation for physical and mental injuries she alleges she suffered after Victoria Police “groomed” her into snitching on her clients.

The state claims Ms Gobbo chose to become an informant knowing the risks.

The state is defending the lawsuit, claiming Ms Gobbo chose to become an informant with full appreciation of the risks involved.

On Friday, Ms Gobbo told the court she had difficulties accessing documents for her lawsuit because of the restrictions placed on her.

She also accused police of telling “outright lies” in affidavits which they later walked back, and claimed the state initially indicated it would settle the case but later changed its position.

Ms Gobbo gave evidence via video link from an undisclosed location and with her image hidden from public view as a security measure.

She will be cross-examined by lawyers for the state on Monday.