Ex-NRL WAG and reality TV star scores legal win

A former WAG has had a major win in court after her convictions for stealing more than $50,000 from her employer were overturned.

A former NRL WAG who became a reality TV star and a competitive boxer has successively fought to have her conviction quashed for stealing more than $52,000 from her former employer.

Arabella Del Busso was convicted in her absence of stealing the hefty sum when she failed to appear in court last month.

The 33-year-old previously pleaded not guilty to defrauding $52,350 from Rheumatology Specialist Care during her tenure as a receptionist.

Arabella Del Busso had her conviction overturned for stealing $50,000 from her employer. Picture: NCA NewsWire

Police claim she stole tens of thousands of dollars while working at the clinics in Kogarah and Randwick between September 2019 and February 2020.

Over the six months, the former lingerie model allegedly asked clients to pay in cash and told them the EFTPOS machine was not operational.

Instead, she allegedly deposited thousands of dollars in cash into her personal accounts while she was employed at the medical facility.

Ms Del Busso, who has recently rebranded as a competitive boxer, traded the boxing ring for the courtroom on Tuesday in a bid to clear her name.

The former lingerie model was found guilty in her absence. Picture: Instagram

The former girlfriend of NRL star Josh Reynolds was dressed demurely in black jacket and pants with a white blouse and towering heels when she walked into Sutherland Local Court.

Her lawyer Wayne Pasterfield suggested his client had been subjected to “judicial paranoia about delay” because she had tried to adjourn her hearing multiple times.

He noted Ms Del Busso’s legal proceedings had been delayed by administrative issues and difficulty in obtaining adequate legal advice because she resides interstate.

The former WAG was “hindered” by being “in and out of lockdown” in Victoria, Mr Pasterfield explained.

The 33-year-old had pleaded not guilty to stealing from her employer. Picture: NCA NewsWire

The court was told she had trouble getting a lawyer while living in Victoria. Picture: NCA NewsWire

Police prosecutor Maritza Van Heerden argued the 33-year-old “had ample time and opportunity to obtain legal advice” since the charges were laid in 2021.

“It appears that she didn’t take the matter seriously enough to make those (legal) inquiries,” she chastised.

“It’s in the interest of justice … for the annulment application to be refused.”

Magistrate Hugh Donnelly reprimanded Ms Del Busso for attempting to delay the proceedings twice without providing adequate proof.

“I am still not convinced that her conduct in the case has been of a high standard,” he said.

Ms Del Busso is a former lingerie model. Picture: Instagram

She also starred on the reality TV show SAS Australia. Picture: Instagram

However, he determined that the seriousness of the charges warranted a hearing “in the interest of justice”.

“She should be given an opportunity to defend herself,” he said.

Mr Donnelly agreed to quash the former reality TV star’s convictions.

She will return to court later this year to fight the theft allegations in a one-day hearing.

The prosecution would be calling 13 witnesses, the court was told.

Ms Del Busso dated NRL star Josh Reynolds in a turbulent relationship.

She has since become a celebrity boxer. Picture: Instagram

The court was told Ms Del Busso could be facing up to 10 years in prison if she was found guilty of stealing more than $52,000 from her employer.

The 33-year-old previously had a prominent and rocky relationship with Reynolds that dissolved when it became known she had faked a pregnancy.

She admitted to the fake pregnancy when she appeared on the reality show SAS Australia only months after she was fired from Rheumatology Specialist Care.