STREET FIGHT OVER SCHOOL PICK-UP!

Harsh words are exchanged as Karl Stefanovic’s fiancee confronts his ex-wife outside her home

It was the day Jasmine Yarbrough was late to pick up Karl Stefanovic’s youngest son, River, from his school in Sydney’s exclusive North Shore, that his ex-wife Cass Thorburn finally lost her cool and told the woman who replaced her exactly what she thought of her.

“She pointed out to Jasmine that it simply wasn’t acceptable to be late to pick up young children – and Jasmine got very defensive,” reveals a family friend, adding that Jasmine blamed the late pick-up on a mechanical problem with her $200,000 Range Rover.

This was the first and only time Cass has come face-to-face with Jasmine, a shoe designer – and the fiery confrontation happened just a week after Karl announced their engagement.

SHOCK ENCOUNTER

“It was a pretty shocking moment for Cass,” explains the friend, who says Jasmine was flashing her $250,000 five-carat diamond engagement ring at the time.

“Cass opened the gate at the entrance to her home and there was Jasmine moving Cass’ wheelie bins. It was totally unexpected because Cass thought Karl was picking up River from school, and to suddenly find Jasmine on her doorstep was a shock.”

It was a Friday afternoon and River, 12, had just arrived home from school and raced in the door to get ready for a weekend visit with his famous dad – who Cass thought was waiting at the gate.

Jasmine, 34, initially appeared dumbstruck at the unexpected encounter with Cass, 47, with a flustered Jasmine lost for words until Cass told her it was unacceptable to be late for school pick-ups.

“I don’t know who was more surprised – Jasmine or Cass,” the friend says.

The encounter only came about because River was running late, and Cass decided to carry his overnight bag and their beloved pug Ponyo, who goes everywhere with River, up the stairs to make it a bit easier for him.

With tensions running high after the confrontation over the late school pick-up, it only inflamed the situation further when Jasmine told Cass “there’s no reason for us not to get along”.

‘I don’t know who was more surprised’

The argument escalated, with Cass disputing that, and asking Jasmine to “clarify” exactly when she met Karl, according to the friend, who says Jasmine insisted it was “exactly six months after he left” Cass in 2016.

STRANGE COINCIDENCE

Cass’ friend says Cass decided to let go of “ancient history” and instead focus on the future and try to ensure River and his sister, 13-year-old Ava, are always picked up on time, whether it is Karl or Jasmine doing the school run.

“Cass is the most organised mum, and she’s very strict with times and pick-ups – her biggest concern is her children’s safety.”

The family friend contacted Woman’s Day to set the record straight after incorrect reports implied that Cass initiated some sort of showdown with Jasmine at a tennis court near her home two weeks ago, when nothing could be further from the truth.

“On the day of the supposed ‘showdown’, Cass had simply dropped River at the tennis club where he goes for a lesson each week,” she explained, adding that Cass was shocked to find Karl and Jasmine having a hit at the same club.

“We all thought it was a very strange coincidence that a paparazzi photographer was there at the perfect time to take a shot of Cass dropping off River – just as Jasmine was having a hit dressed in very flattering black activewear.”