Anthony Bell’s lawyer has told Waverley Local Court that the champion Sydney to Hobart racer is seeking a divorce from his wife, television presenter Kelly Landry, after he was served with an apprehended violence order (AVO).
Chris Murphy told the court that the claims behind the AVO application were “fallacious” and were made by someone “perhaps suffering a little bit of celebrity deprivation”.
The terms of the AVO prevent accountant and yachtsman Bell from coming near the former Getaway presenter within 12 hours of drinking or taking illicit drugs.
Despite not appearing in court, Murphy said Bell accepted the terms of the interim AVO.
Murphy said his client had never used drugs and wasn't the one "with the drinking problem in this household."
"The defendant is not going back to the house. He doesn't want to see her again," he said.
According to police reports, the Sydney-based couple were allegedly involved in an incident on November 18, which is said to have involved Landry being pushed by her husband of five years.
Bell addressed the incident in a statement to his high-profile clients, including former Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke and Today Show host Karl Stefanovic.
"By now you may have seen a most distressing piece of news about my family involving some allegations my wife has made about me. There is an allegation that I pushed her in November. I did not push her," he wrote.
"There is an allegation I spoke loudly and embarrassed her in front of friends. It did not happen. I deny the allegations and will defend myself in court. I abhor all violence and I am faithful to my family. It is unimaginable to me that I could ever touch a woman in anger."
The matter will return to court on February 17.
Top Comments
The differing language displayed between his letter to his clients "the emotional, physical and mental wellbeing of Ms Landry and his daughters are all I care about" and his lawyer telling the court (and media) that he never wants to see his wife again etc (he realises she's the mother of his children right??) is horribly contradictory and Jekkyl & Hyde - frightening.
She sounds like she's better off, he sounds like a vindictive child because she's dared to call him on his (alleged) behaviour