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From claims about slashed tyres, threatening voicemails and headbutting, to insults about ‘fats’ ladies and particulars about big efficiency funds – Man Sebastian’s messy courtroom showdown along with his former manager has given followers a front-row seat to a relationship breakdown extra excessive than most.
The Voice choose and former Australian Idol winner was managed completely by Titus Day, 49, between 2009 and 2017.
After a bitter falling out, the as soon as inseparable duo parted methods and it was after their relationship ended that Mr Sebastian, 40, claimed to have found a collection of anomalies which police allege amounted to fraud.
Claiming Mr Day owed him funds, Mr Sebastian launched civil motion within the Federal Courtroom in 2018.
Mr Day responded by launching authorized motion of his personal, claiming it was he who was owed cash by Mr Sebastian.
The courtroom motion didn’t result in a decision and in 2020 Mr Day was arrested by police who charged him with 50 counts of fraudulently embezzling about $900,000 in royalty, ambassador and efficiency funds Mr Sebastian was allegedly owed.
Mr Day’s trial started within the NSW District Courtroom on Might 3 after he pleaded not responsible to all expenses.
After preliminary delays, triggered following the demise of the unique presiding Decide Peter Zahra SC and Mr Sebastian’s Covid analysis, the trial resumed with the singer showing as the primary witness to present proof over a seven-day interval.
Reporting questioned
Whereas beneath cross-examination from defence barrister Dominic Toomey SC, Mr Sebastian informed the courtroom a police officer got here to his home to take an announcement about Mr Day.
The officer was Detective David Murphy, a buddy of Mr Sebastian’s greatest mate Tim Freeburn.
“I stated ‘I’m very cautious to simply converse to anybody, are you aware any police which can be reliable?’,” Mr Sebastian informed the courtroom.
“I offered David Murphy with what I had.”
The courtroom was informed Mr Freeburn and Detective Murphy knew one another from their time taking part in cricket collectively for the Sutherland Cricket Membership.
Mr Sebastian colloquially referred to the Detective as “Murph” throughout his testimony, which Mr Toomey eagerly leapt on as an indication of a too-familiar relationship. The music star denied the suggestion, noting he’d spent a very long time within the detective’s presence because of the continued litigation.
“I’ve recognized him for fairly a number of years by way of this course of,” Mr Sebastian stated.
“I don’t know … I can’t bear in mind saying it,” he stated when requested if he informed anybody on the NSW Workplace of the Director of Public Prosecution that his greatest mate was acquainted with the police officer in command of the investigation into Mr Day.
AVO shock
The preliminary assembly between Mr Sebastian and police befell two days after he was served with an utility for an apprehended violence order (AVO) that was filed by Mr Day.
“At 6pm on Might 20, 2020, I acquired a name from a blocked quantity saying ‘Man Sebastian needs you f***ed … they are saying it’s improper, they are saying you’re a paedophile’,” Mr Day claimed within the AVO utility which was learn out in courtroom.
“Man has a violent historical past that I find out about and my spouse is scared. He is aware of the place I stay and my spouse is affected by nervousness attributable to his behaviour.”
Within the AVO utility Mr Day alleged Mr Sebastian despatched threatening emails to his spouse and in addition claimed somebody slashed his tyres. Mr Sebastian denied the allegations of intimidating behaviour in courtroom.
Mr Sebastian stated reference to a historical past of violence associated to as soon as incident in his previous the place he acted in self-defence.
“I had a new child who was sleeping, I used to be at my recording studio … I acquired a name from my spouse about this one that was making an attempt to get into our house by way of my little boy’s window and consequently I arrived home,” Mr Sebastian informed the courtroom.
“By the point I acquired home the man making an attempt to interrupt in was nonetheless there. I chased after him.”
Nevertheless, the courtroom heard the singer informed folks completely different tales about what occurred next.
Requested repeatedly if he headbutted the intruder, Mr Sebastian stated he had not, however he agreed that’s what he informed some folks afterwards.
“Whereas I used to be holding him he was making an attempt to seize me … elbowing and kicking me … he grabbed my [motorbike] helmet,” Mr Sebastian stated.
“I’ve informed those that I knocked him out … I didn’t headbutt him … I agree I’ve informed those that I headbutted him.”
Big charges
Whereas discussing among the disputed cases through which Mr Sebastian claimed he was both underpaid or not paid by Mr Day, the courtroom was informed of the eye-watering charges Mr Sebastian charged to carry out.
For supporting American pop star Taylor Swift at 4 live shows, Mr Sebastian attracted $494,360.
A rugby match gig at Allianz Stadium earnt him $49,000 whereas a Massive Bash cricket efficiency on the MCG on New Yr’s Day noticed him command a price of about $60,000.
To carry out at a marriage in Jakarta, Mr Sebastian charged about $54,000.
An in-kind cope with Toyota was price about $140,000, McDonald’s paid Mr Sebastian $66,000 to seem at a convention, and Harvey Norman forked out $33,000 for an additional gig.
A Dreamworld ambassador position was price $96,250 and he even acquired a ship from Bluefin as a substitute of being paid for live performance gigs.
Slur revealed
Along with Mr Sebastian’s charges, his selection of phrases to explain a sure demographic had been additionally thrust into the highlight as he gave proof.
Whereas mulling the concept of performing as a help act for former Irish boy band singer Shane Filan, Mr Sebastian stated in an electronic mail that it was “an enormous funding”.
“Speaking to Sammy, who did an analogous tour, she stated it was all fats older feral ladies,” Mr Sebastian wrote within the electronic mail.
“Are we scrapping corporates for it?,” he stated.
In courtroom Mr Sebastian stated he was “not proud” of the e-mail.
Funds made
Earlier within the trial Mr Sebastian was offered with a collection of paperwork which confirmed financial institution transfers out of Mr Day’s former firm’s account and into his.
In a single occasion the courtroom was informed about $138,000 in royalties Sony music paid to Mr Day’s firm in July 2014.
Mr Sebastian agreed paperwork tendered in courtroom confirmed Mr Day appropriately deducted a 20 per cent fee and deposited about $111,000 into his checking account.
Whereas the right amount was transferred, the courtroom heard Mr Day was charged with not paying Mr Sebastian correctly.
The courtroom was informed there have been not less than one other three events the place the right amount had been transferred by Mr Day, however he had been charged.
When Mr Toomey requested Mr Sebastian if he was paying consideration when police went by way of the banking paperwork earlier than expenses had been laid, Mr Sebastian stated, “there was quite a bit to undergo positively.”
“In keeping with what you’re presenting to me, it looks like the numbers do add up … it’s an oversight,” Mr Sebastian informed Mr Toomey.
The trial continues.
