Fan denies stalking Playboy model as police allege he was ‘obsessed’ with the reality TV star and followed her to events for nearly four months
- A man has been charged with stalking an Australian model and TV personality
- Simone Holtznagel was allegedly followed by the 58-year-old over four months
- The glamorous 29-year-old is one of the country most well-known models
- Benjamin Reeves did not appear in court where lawyer entered not guilty plea
A fan has pleaded not guilty to stalking international model and reality TV personality Simone Holtznagel for nearly four months across Sydney‘s east.
Benjamin Reeves, 58, did not appear in Waverley Local Court on Thursday after being charged with stalking the Playboy model with the intention of causing her fear of physical or mental harm.
Police allege the McMahons Point resident became obsessed with the 29-year-old model and repeatedly turned up uninvited at events she was attending.
Simone Holtznagel (pictured) starred on Australia’s Next Top Model and SAS Australia
The 29-year-old (pictured) is one of the country’s top models having fronted international campaigns
According to police, the 58-year-old man stalked Ms Holtznagel for nearly four months from the beginning of April to the end of July.
He allegedly followed her to multiple locations and intimidated her.
Police claim the majority of the stalking took place around Bondi Beach in Sydney.
Officers from the Eastern Suburbs contingent arrested Reeves a month ago at his home on Sydney’s North Shore.
He was taken to Chatswood police station and charged with stalking that afternoon.
Ms Holtznagel did not know her alleged stalker, according to police.
While Reeves was excused from appearing in court on Thursday morning, his lawyer entered a plea of not guilty on his behalf.
Magistrate Ross Hudson ordered a brief of evidence be served on the defence in preparation for a hearing.
The matter will return to court in October to set a date for Mr Reeves to fight the allegation of stalking.
Police have applied for an apprehended violence order to protect Ms Holtznagel, which will also be heard when the matter returns to Waverley Court.
The order prohibits Reeves from approaching, contacting or harming the high-profile model.
Ms Holtznagel has become a household name in Australia since she was a finalist in Australia’s Next top Model in 2011.
Ms Holtznagel recently went public with her relationship with celebrity trainer boyfriend Jono Castano (pictured)
She has appeared in campaigns for beloved brands such as Guess Jeans, Bras N Things and Honey Birdette and famously modelled for Playboy in the United States.
The buxom blonde has also graced Australian TV screens with a stint on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! and a recent gruelling effort on SAS Australia.
Just last month Ms Holtznagel confirmed she had moved in with her celebrity personal trainer boyfriend Jono Castano.
Ms Holtznagel appeared on SAS Australia earlier this year. Picture: Channel 7/Remco Jansen
She wrote: ‘When you’ve never lived with a boy and now you live with your fifaboyfriend@ jonocastanoacero, in reference to Jono playing FIFA soccer with a friend on the couch amidst raucous laughter.
The pair were reportedly dating since early 2022 but initially kept their romance under wraps.
They went public in May when they were seen passionately kissing at Mimi’s restaurant in Coogee.
The pair first met several years ago when she was one of the trainer’s highest profile clients – though he was previously married to business partner Amy Castano.
Her sister Madeline Holtznagel is also a fixture of the Sydney scene.
She is dating hospitality baron Justin Hemmes, who is currently embroiled in his own legal battle over alleged wage theft at his Merivale venues.
Sisters Madeline Holtznagel and Simone Holtznagel are both well known personalities.