A former CEO of a peak industry body is back in court for allegedly breaching a restraining order against a reality TV star, just days after being cleared of stalking her.
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Benjamin Reeves has pleaded not guilty to knowingly breaching an apprehended violence order taken out against him by Simone Holtznagel, 29, at Sydney's Circular Quay on Wednesday evening.
His lawyer Osman Samin told AAP the 59-year-old had been among tens of thousands of visitors taking in Vivid festivities when the alleged interaction with Ms Holtznagel occurred.
Reeves was on his way to catch a ferry to his home at McMahons Point when he was observed by the former Playboy model, Mr Samin said on Tuesday.
Ms Holtznagel rose to fame on season seven of Australia's Next Top Model.
She has also modelled for Bras N Things and Guess, and has appeared on a number of reality TV programs including SAS Australia and I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!
Her credibility was called into question by a NSW Local Court judge on Thursday as he threw out the AVO and stalking charges she brought against Reeves.
CCTV footage played in court contradicted claims the former chief executive of the Australian Association of Graduate Employers chief executive had stalked Ms Holtznagel in a Bondi pub, holding eye contact with her for 40 seconds and popping up behind her within centimetres of her face.
"What one sees is totally different to what was asserted," Magistrate Glenn Bartley said.
"The complainant as a source is demonstrably unreliable."
The judge found the prosecution had no real prospects of success and should not have gone ahead.
He ordered the prosecutor to pay Reeves $36,000 in legal costs.
In a stunning turn of events, Reeves was arrested shortly after court, even though the AVO was no longer in place.
No new orders have been taken out against him.
"The chronology in this matter is incredible," Mr Samin told AAP.
"Last Thursday, Mr Reeves walked out of the Downing Centre Local Court a vindicated man.
"With respect, it is astonishing that he is being prosecuted again."
Reeves is suing the Daily Mail for defamation over an article he claims falsely reported he was guilty of stalking Ms Holtznagel and a separate, unnamed woman, leading to him losing his job as CEO of the AAGE.
The article was shared around the 375 members of the AAGE, which included large corporations and state and federal governments, preventing him from finding a job at these entities, he said in a statement of claim filed with the Federal Court.
He is seeking aggravated damages from Dailymail.Com Australia, any financial losses caused by his termination as CEO, and his legal costs.
Reeves failed in suing NSW Police for malicious prosecution and unlawful arrest over a separate stalking charge, which was also thrown out, but successfully argued he was falsely imprisoned as his detention was unreasonably protracted.
He remains on bail until his next court appearance on August 8.
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
Australian Associated Press
