Business owner Nadia Bartel has admitted driving without a licence, after a letter of suspension was sent to the home she previously shared with former husband, Brownlow Medallist Jimmy Bartel.
Bartel, 36, avoided a conviction but was fined $1100 in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday after she was caught driving in August last year.
Her licence was suspended for three months because of demerit points on June 17 but she was stopped by police in her black Range Rover two months later.
Her lawyer, Sarah Pratt, said Bartel had been very embarrassed by having to be stopped.
Police said Bartel moved in December 2020 but had not updated the address on her licence, and Ms Pratt said the letter had unfortunately gone to the home she once shared with Jimmy Bartel.
They separated in 2019 after five years of marriage.
Ms Pratt said Bartel hadn't driven for the rest of the suspension period, relying on her parents to help her drive the former couple's two children.
Bartel shook her head when magistrate Hayley Bate asked her income.
"I'm not aware but she would be able to afford a fine in the order of a couple of thousand dollars," Ms Pratt replied.
Ms Bate settled on a $1100 fine without conviction and said she would not further suspend Bartel's licence.
The driving incident happened just weeks before Bartel apologised for breaching Victoria's COVID-19 rules to attend a private party where footage of her snorting white powder was accidentally posted online.
Bartel, who owns a fake tan company and clothing label, was fined $5452 for breaching the public health orders but escaped other charges after an investigation by Victoria Police.
"I am truly and deeply sorry. I hope I can earn your forgiveness and, in time, your trust," she said in a statement after the September 2 party.
