Reality TV contestant and former Penthouse cover girl Suzi Taylor has wept as she escaped punishment over a fracas in a Brisbane hotel as part of an apparent media sting.
Taylor, whose real name is Suellen Jan Taylor, was cleared in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday of stealing a mobile phone.
However, she was found guilty of assault, but the former contestant on home renovation series The Block was not punished for the offence.
Taylor still faces a string of charges including drug, fraud and property offences as well breaching her bail conditions up to 80 times.
The model was charged over the mobile phone offences after an altercation with Thelma Anderson at the Gambaro Hotel in January 2020.
The pair had agreed to meet so Ms Anderson could pay Taylor money she owed.
However, the meeting turned hostile when Taylor noticed she was being filmed by a Channel 9 cameraman - the same network that helped her rise to fame.
At one point, Ms Anderson also began filming Taylor, calling her names including that she was "filthy slut" and "f***ing c***".
Footage of the incident showed Taylor assault Ms Anderson during a struggle over the mobile phone.
In handing down her sentence, magistrate Rosemary Gilbert said Taylor's reaction to being filmed was predictable.
"It is clear that Ms Anderson set up the meeting for the purpose of there being filming," Ms Gilbert said.
"It would be churlish of me to take the view that what flowed from there wound be not unexpected."
Outside the court, defence lawyer Michael Gatenby said he was disappointed by the outcome but satisfied that Taylor was not further penalised.
"This was the event that triggered her homelessness you can see how this spiteful behaviour has caused her great concern," Mr Gatenby said.
"It is very apparent that Channel 9 was in cahoots and there was a clear intention to set her up."
Taylor is expected to again apply for bail on her remaining charges.
Australian Associated Press
