Former AFL player Ricky Olarenshaw’s estranged wife has fronted a Bali court over allegations she was running a brothel
The estranged wife of former Essendon player Ricky Olarenshaw has fronted a Bali court over allegations she was running a brothel on the holiday island.
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Former AFL player Ricky Olarenshaw’s estranged wife has told a Bali court that ownership paperwork for an alleged brothel on the holiday island was incorrect.
Surnanitha Olarenshaw’s legal team fronted the Denpasar District Court on Monday in the first hearing for her trial, demanding the matter be fast tracked so she can be released.
Her lawyer Edyanto Silalahi claimed that Ms Olarenshaw was only an employee at the Flame Spa in Bali, which has allegedly run as a brothel.
“There are many mistakes in the process,” Mr Silalahi said in defence of his client.
“(Surnanitha) Nitha was only working there.”
The court heard that Ms Olarenshaw was named as owning 99 per cent of the shares in the Flame Spa, which began offering sexual services in 2019.
The other share was owned by another Balinese woman, with the former Essendon star’s name not appearing on any paperwork.
However, WhatsApp messages have detailed how Mr Olarenshaw’s Australian friends in Bali had demanded cash from the Flame Spa operations.
They also allegedly threatened to dob Ms Olarenshaw into the police if she did not pay them, copies of messages revealed.
Police did not attend Monday’s hearing, resulting in a delay until November 4.
Bali police spokesman Jansen Avitus Panjaitan said outside court that the police case was only against Ms Olarenshaw and her Balinese friend.
When asked if Ricky Olarenshaw was on the paperwork, he replied: “Everyone can claim a business as theirs, but if there is no legal document to show it, how could we prove it,”
“For example if you live in a plot of land, how can you prove it as yours, if you don’t have the document that shows that it is yours?”
“Legal facts should be followed with legal documents, with evidence, with legality. Based on our investigation, based on legal documents, those in detention now are people that should take the responsibility of the business.”
Mr Olarenshaw is not accused in court of wrongdoing.
Balinese police shut down the Flame Spa last month, along with the Pink Palace Spa, which was allegedly being operated as a brothel by middle class Melbourne couple Michael and Lynley Le Grand.
Their case has not yet reached court, but they face up to 12 years’ jail if convicted.
Ms Olarenshaw had split with her husband, who dressed up as Hugh Hefner at his 50th birthday, in recent months.
The couple has a nine-year-old daughter, whom Mr Olarenshaw had tried to bring back to Australia.
Mr Olarenshaw has not returned calls.
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Originally published as Former AFL player Ricky Olarenshaw’s estranged wife has fronted a Bali court over allegations she was running a brothel