Newcastle real estate agent Anthony Di Nardo is no longer under house arrest after a court varied his bail conditions. The 53-year-old was arrested on December 9 and charged with sexually and indecently assaulting five former female employees of Belle Property over a 16-year period.
Newcastle Local Court heard on Monday that the previous conditions, which required Di Nardo to remain at his home in The Junction unless accompanied by his partner or father, were disproportionate to the charges. Defence lawyer Drew Hamilton argued that the restrictions would have kept his client under house arrest for two years before trial, which he called grossly disproportionate.
Magistrate Robyn Richardson agreed, lifting the curfew and allowing Di Nardo to remain on licensed premises until 11pm. However, he must not contact prosecution witnesses except through a lawyer, and must avoid current staff of LJ Hooker Warners Bay, McGrath Lake Macquarie, or Belle Property unless via legal representation.
Di Nardo is also prohibited from consuming alcohol or non-prescribed drugs, must surrender his Australian and Italian passports, and report to police twice weekly. He has not yet entered pleas to charges including sexual intercourse without consent and stalking.
The matter was adjourned to February 11. Police established Strike Force Agnes in March 2025 after a report of indecent assault, with alleged incidents occurring between 2005 and 2022. Di Nardo's Belle Property franchise contracts have been terminated following the allegations.
