A Sydney socialite, sporting a fresh blow dry and expensive designer accessories, has faced court over her alleged wild rampage in Sydney’s east last month.
Vanessa Jacobs Fennell, 54, is accused of crashing her Range Rover into several parked cars before assaulting a cop and refusing to take a breath test.
The mother-of-two was arrested in Bellevue Hill, in Sydney’s well-heeled east, after the incident on Riddell Street on March 21.
The charity maven, who was once in the running to be in reality TV show Real Housewives of Sydney, swapped her glitzy lifestyle for a night in a police cell after her run in with the law.
New video obtained by Daily Mail Australia showed Jacobs Fennell immediately after the incident as bystanders tried to persuade her to get out the car so it could be moved to safety.
She is seen, wearing jeans and a sleeveless top, smiling broadly in the driver’s seat as people try to undo her seatbelt and get her to leave the car for someone else to park.
Arriving at Waverley Local Court on Tuesday, Jacobs Fennell was dressed in a black suit, sporting oversized $830 Louis Vuitton sunglasses and an $8,500 Cartier watch as she carried a $8,600-plus Fendi handbag.
Her lawyer told the court Jacobs Fennell pleaded not guilty and would seek to have the charges dealt with under mental health provisions of the law.
Vanessa Jacobs Fennell seen leaving courting carrying a Fendi handbagÂ
Jacobs Fennell did not address media when leaving Waverley Local CourtÂ
Jacobs Fennell has told friends the incident was sparked when she mixed antidepressant medication celapram with two glasses of rosé, which triggered her ‘out of character’ behaviour.
She is understood to suffer from depression and recurring nightmares following the tragic death of a baby daughter.
Her recent break-up with prominent Melbourne businessman Nathan Sable has also added to her mental health issues, it is understood.
The pair are believed to have been a couple until a few weeks before Valentine’s Day when things suddenly cooled.
Before dating Mr Sable, Jacobs Fennell was married to private equity banker Tom Fennell, who coincidentally lives very close to the crash site where she was arrested.
Jacobs Fennell and a group of Scots College mums were earlier seen enjoying drinks at Double Bay restaurant Tanuki on the afternoon of the crash, before members of the group headed across the road to martini bar Bobbie’s.Â
Vanessa Jacobs Fennell, 54, was arrested after her Range Rover allegedly swiped a Tesla
Vanessa Jacobs Fennell was married to private equity banker Tom Fennell (pictured) and the couple share two children together
Court documents seen by Daily Mail Australia state Jacobs Fennell allegedly failed to give her required particulars ‘within the required time’ to the driver of the other car.
She’s also alleged to have assaulted a male constable who was ‘was executing his duty’.
Jacobs Fennell did not address media when leaving the court and the matter was adjourned until May 20.