Sydney socialite Vanessa Jacobs Fennell to fight charges after allegedly refusing breath test, crashing luxe car and assaulting police officer

A socialite accused of refusing a breath test, crashing her luxe car into a Tesla and assaulting a police officer has revealed her next move in court.

A Sydney socialite who allegedly refused a breath test and assaulted a police officer after she crashed her Range Rover into a parked Tesla is set to fight the charges in court.

Vanessa Jacobs Fennell, 54, allegedly refused a breath test and then crashed her luxe Range Rover into a parked Tesla before assaulting a police officer in Bellevue Hill in Sydney’s east on March 21.

Sydney socialite Vanessa Jacobs Fennell allegedly refused a breath test after crashing her Range Rover into a Tesla in Bellevue Hill. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

She was charged with refusing to submit to breath analysis, assault police officer in the execution of duty and not give particulars to owner of damaged property.

Court documents seen by NewsWire state Ms Fennell allegedly failed to give her required particulars “within the required time” to the driver of the other car.

She was released on bail to front Waverley Court on Tuesday.

Ms Fennell, who was previously short-listed to appear on the second season of controversial reality show Real Housewives of Sydney in 2023, arrived at Waverley Court on Tuesday sporting a black suit and pair of sunglasses alongside her lawyer, Helen Christinson.

Ms Fennell arrives at Waverley Court on Tuesday morning. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

Her lawyer, Helen Christinson (right) entered not guilty pleas on her client’s behalf. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

Ms Christinson told the call-over court that she was instructed to plead not guilty on Ms Fennell’s behalf and to also apply for a Section 14.

A Section 14 is generally given to those with mental health conditions or a cognitive disability.

Ms Fennell was previously short-listed to appear on the second season of controversial reality show Real Housewives of Sydney. Picture: Facebook.

If successful, defendants may have a support or treatment plan developed to follow, and magistrates can make orders, including to dismiss charges.

Neither Ms Fennell or Ms Christinson spoke outside court, walking calmly despite the cameras.

The matter was adjourned until May 20, while the Section 14 application will be addressed in a mention on June 23.

Both mentions are set to take place at Waverley Court; however, Ms Fennell has been excused from attending court in May.

Ms Fennell, a mother of two, was previously married to private equity investor Tom Fennell, with reports the couple called it quits about five years ago.

Ms Fennell’s Tamarama home. Picture: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard

She’s also regularly been snapped at charity luncheons and events across the Harbour City.

The socialite lives in a Tamarama mansion, which became the subject of a complaint lodged with NSW Fair Trading by Ms Fennell over allegedly aggressive tactics from a McGrath real estate agent.