Model Natalie Marangos threw lamp at ex-lover Dean Contos after bitter spat at Sydney restaurant

New details of how a model threw a lamp at her ex-lover while he was on a date with another woman at one of Sydney’s fanciest new restaurants have been revealed.

Natalie Marangos, 34, assaulted her ex-boyfriend Dean Contos, 37, at Tanuki restaurant in Double Bay just before midnight on 22 February.

The confrontation was captured on the restaurant’s CCTV, which showed Contos and his new girlfriend approach the model about 11.30pm, before the woman throws a martini at Marangos, spilling all over her.

Marangos then picked up a plastic lamp from a restaurant table and hurled it at Contos’ face.

He suffered a cut to his forehead.

Marangos, who had an AVO in place against Contos at the time, had left the scene by the time police arrived.

She was arrested the following night in Hurstville Grove and was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm (DV).

She pleaded guilty to the charge in March.

The glamorous model appeared in the John Maddison Tower Local Court on Wednesday for sentencing, dressed in sleek black dress pants and high heels.

She sought to have the matters dealt with under mental health provisions of the law, or a section 14 application.

The application was granted by Magistrate Christine Haskett, and the charges were dismissed.

Marangos had given detailed accounts of her alleged abusive relationship with Contos to a psychologist, the court was told.

“It was a controlling and allegedly abusive relationship,” Ms Haskett said.

“She’s outlined concerns for her safety to police.”

Police had notified Marangos after a tracking device, allegedly placed by Contos, was found on her car last September, the court was told.

Marangos’ father had also passed away, some six months prior to the commencement of the “controlling relationship” in December 2022.

The model has been diagnosed with PTSD, the court was told.

Due to the model’s age, history and lack of prior offending, the magistrate said it was unlikely she would commit such an offence again.

Ms Haskett said the act was a “reactive action” to a drink being spilt on her, and that she had no doubt already suffered ongoing anxieties during the court proceedings.

While the prosecution argued the charge was in the mid to lower range of seriousness, they still described it as a “violent assault”, which caused Contos to bleed.

An AVO has also been made for the period of two years for the protection of Contos against Marangos.

Meanwhile, Contos has also been charged with a string of domestic violence charges.

The property developer has pleaded not guilty to contravening an AVO and stalking intimidation.

He was also charged with choking a person without consent, using a tracking device without consent and another count of contravening an AVO.

He is yet to enter pleas for those charges.

He is due to appear in court again in December for a hearing.