War hero turned OnlyFans model to contest pool party assault charge at hearing in 2023

It’s been a tumultuous year for a former commando turned nude model who made a failed bid to be a politician.

A former special forces commando turned nude model will face a hearing in seven months as he continues to deny assaulting a man at a private pool party in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

A former special forces commando turned nude model will face a hearing in seven months as he continues to deny assaulting a man at a private pool party in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

Heston Russell faced Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday after pleading not guilty to a charge of common assault.

Police allege the OnlyFans model had been cruising around Sydney Harbour on January 2 before attending an exclusive pool party in Potts Point.

Around 6.30pm, police allege Mr Russell got into an argument with a fellow partygoer and hit him.

The former commander of the November Platoon was contacted by police on May 16 following a five-month investigation into the alleged altercation.

A former special forces commando turned nude model will face a hearing in seven months as he continues to deny assaulting a man at a private pool party in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. Picture: Instagram

Heston Russell has pleaded not guilty to a charge of common assault. Picture: Instagram

Special forces veteran Heston Russell has been charged with common assault after allegedly attacking a man at a party. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

He was issued a court attendance notice just a week before the federal election in which he was making his first bid for a Senate seat under his Australian Values party.

The vocal veteran, who is an advocate for ex-military servicemen across the country, denies the charge.

The 36-year-old sat expressionless at the front of the public gallery on Wednesday as his solicitor Michael Bowe asked to set down a date for hearing.

Mr Bowe told the court the hearing is expected to go for about five hours, where he will contest the police allegations.

The registrar set the hearing for March 29, 2023.

Mr Russell founded veteran’s support organisation Voice Of A Veteran - Photo Steve Pohlner

After the allegation came to light in May, Mr Russell issued a statement confirming the charge and suggesting the allegation was politically motivated.

“The allegations are completely unfounded, which I have no doubt the police will discover in due course,” the statement read.

“This is another poor attempt at smearing and an attack on my character to deter voters in the week leading up to the federal election.”

The 36-year-old, who resides in Brisbane, made headlines last year after he raised $15,000 for veterans charity Swiss 8 by selling nude photos of himself on OnlyFans.

The thwarted Senate hopeful will return to court next year to contest the charge.