First Dates star denies harassing chef Dylan
FIRST Dates star Daphney Sanasie has denied harassing celebrity chef Dylan McGrath over a ten-week period.
The 26-year-old, known as Federica on the RTÉ show, was first arrested by gardaí in April and later brought to court.
She is accused of harassing Mr McGrath, 39, at various locations between September 9 and November 21 last.
Yesterday morning, the South African model indicated a not guilty plea to the criminal charges – which can result in a fine and a maximum one-year sentence if she is ultimately found guilty. She now faces a non-jury trial at Dublin District Court in September.
Sporting red lipstick, Ms Sanasie arrived at Dublin’s Criminal Courts of Justice dressed in a blue kneelength dress with stylish black gloves and dark sunglasses – and smiled during the court hearing. She sat on the front bench of the public seating area – with at least one supporter in tow, fellow First Dates star Mark Casey. On the TV show, Mr Casey was paired with a woman he dated previously.
When her case was called, Ms Sanasie approached the bench and stood next to her lawyers.
When asked by Judge Cormac Dunne if Ms Sanasie would be pleading guilty or seeking a date for a trial to contest the charges, her barrister Gareth Robinson BL said: ‘My client will be taking a date.’
Judge Dunne set September 30 for the trial to begin. It is expected to last a full day.
The court heard that up to ten witnesses are expected to give evidence at the trial – eight prosecution witnesses and ‘perhaps two’ for the defence.
While there will be no CCTV evidence, the model’s defence team may seek to have a mobile phone examined, the court heard.
Mr Robinson told the court: ‘Disclosure is pretty much completed. There may be an issue with a mobile phone that we may be seeking to have examined.’
Remanding Ms Sanasie on continuing bail until the trial, Judge Dunne asked her if she understood. She replied: ‘Yes.’
Ms Sanasie was supported in court by fellow First Dates contestant Mr Casey – the Dubliner who became a hit with TV viewers.
Outside court after the hearing, Ms Sanasie declined to comment to reporters – before spotting a phalanx of photographers waiting for her. Once outside with Mr Casey by her side, she appeared happy to be photographed as she walked along the street.
Ms Sanasie, of Jamestown Road, Dublin 8, is charged under Section 10 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.
Mr McGrath, a well-known chef, has appeared as a judge on the Irish version of MasterChef.