Brynne Edelsten, once a figure of wealth and celebrity, has pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing a drug of dependence. In Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, she was spared a criminal conviction and placed on a 12-month good behavior bond.
The charges involved possessing methamphetamine and a precursor to gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB). A more serious charge of trafficking methamphetamine was withdrawn by the prosecution.
Edelsten's defense barrister, Veronika Drago, presented a case that detailed Edelsten's fall from grace, including periods of homelessness and bankruptcy after her public split from businessman Geoffrey Edelsten in 2014. She stated that Edelsten was introduced to methamphetamine by a series of difficult boyfriends and struggled with post-natal depression after her daughter's birth.
According to the defense, Edelsten had been living in crisis accommodations with her young daughter before settling in a Fitzroy apartment. Her barrister told the court that the drug offenses occurred after rekindling a past relationship, which led to her daughter being temporarily abandoned, a situation described as devastating and a wake-up call. Edelsten subsequently sought drug and alcohol assistance and became abstinent.
The court heard that Edelsten also faced public humiliation after her appearances on shows like "Dancing with the Stars" and "SAS Australia," and had at times been effectively homeless while trying to maintain a public profile. At the time of her arrest, she was living in a $300-a-week apartment near a housing commission tower and was reliant on Centrelink.
During the court proceedings, Edelsten's legal team highlighted the birth of her child, referred to as a "miracle baby," as a significant factor in her attempted rehabilitation. The defense argued that Edelsten's child was placed with Edelsten's mother while Edelsten pursued relationships and struggled with addiction.
More than two kilograms of 1,4-butanediol, a GHB precursor, and 185 grams of methamphetamine were found in the Fitzroy apartment. The prosecution noted that Edelsten claimed not to know the quantity of the drugs. Magistrate James Henderson acknowledged the severity of the drugs found but ultimately found Edelsten to be remorseful.
"Her rehabilitation is certainly an important consideration, but a message must be sent to the community that this type of offending will not be tolerated," the magistrate stated. Edelsten was ordered to continue treatment with her psychiatrist and drug and alcohol support provider and to make a $3,000 donation to The Orange Door charity.
Edelsten's co-accused, Simon Pienaar, who is identified as a former lover, has pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking charges and will face trial at the County Court. Edelsten's legal team has indicated she is now abstinent from drugs and alcohol.