An Australian bikini model who made headlines for fabricating a story of being sexually assaulted in Thailand by a tuk-tuk driver and two other men was imprisoned for splurging in a five-star hotel on another woman’s credit card.
Stevie Bamford, 30, appeared before a magistrate on Thursday in Downing Center Local Court for her opulent stay at the Sydney Hilton in September.
Bamford, the daughter of former rugby league player Peter Tunks, was seen using the hotel’s upscale amenities and escorting a number of people back to her room throughout her stay.
The owner of the credit card informed the hotel manager the following day. The $1,544 lodging bill was instantly rejected by the hotel, and the woman was given her money back.
When Bamford was asked to pay for the room, the staff asked the police since she claimed she was unable to pay.
She informed the police that a friend had reserved the space but was unable to use it, so they provided it to Bamford.
According to Bamford’s attorney Jack Dunne, the court must take into account Bamford’s financial situation, length of time involved, motivation, and level of planning when determining his sentence.
Her mental health issues were a significant contributing factor in Mr. Dunne’s argument that her crime “lacked complexity” and “was spontaneous.”
The court was informed that Bamford has schizoaffective disorder and is being treated and taking medicine for it.
She hasn’t committed an offense since September of last year, and Mr. Dunne said she is getting therapy for her mental health.
She had violated two community corrections orders, according to the allegation, and the magistrate said it had to be taken into account while determining her sentence.
Bamford had been out on bail since September 2021 and, despite being initially “unreliable” under her supervision, has recently “turned things around,” according to Crofts.
Magistrate Crofts declared, “I have obtained favorable findings regarding your chances of rehabilitation.”
The court has a significant interest in ensuring that the two violations of community corrections orders are adhered to and that doing so carries repercussions.
The breaches are demonstrated, but no more action is to be taken, since I have noted mental health issues and positive engagement with the community correctional orders.
For the charge of dishonestly obtaining financial gain by fraud, Bamford was given a 12-month community corrections term.
Bamford’s attorney Jack Dunne expressed his happiness with the outcome to Daily Mail Australia after the hearing.
The court made a wise decision, according to Mr. Dunne.
“Ms. Bamford is now anticipating the future and moving forward with her life.”
Bamford gave a Daily Mail Australia photographer the bird outside of court.
Bamford gained international attention in 2012 after fabricating an account of being raped by a tuktuk driver in Patong. She claimed to have done this so her boyfriend wouldn’t be upset about her arriving at their lodging so late.
She claimed that while two other men were holding her down, the driver sexually raped her.
In June 2021, the Phuket Provincial Court found Bamford responsible for the fraudulent claim and sentenced him to 15 days in the Baan Bang Jo detention facility.
Bamford got into legal problems once more in March of last year when she admitted to breaking into a house aggravatedly and stealing a silver watch, a water pipe, and a CCTV camera.
She also acknowledged breaking into a unit in the adjacent Eastlakes neighborhood on June 20 of last year with two males and another woman and stole items worth $400.
She received a community corrections order for both, which she violated by making the false Hilton reservation.