Kidman paparazzo ordered to give DNA sample
A celebrity photographer has been ordered to give a DNA sample to police investigating the apparent bugging of Oscar winner Nicole Kidman’s Australian home.
The bug was found in January outside the star’s home in Sydney’s most exclusive harbourside neighbourhood during a search by security staff ahead of her return to the country.
Sydney magistrate Lee Gilmour today ordered photographer Jamie Fawcett to provide a sample of his DNA after police said they want to compare it to two sets of DNA found on the listening device.
Fawcett, who has not been charged with any offence, had earlier refused to give police a DNA sample.
Detective Senior Constable Malcolm Nimmo told the court that the bug did not record any conversations before it was discovered in the grass across the street.
Earlier this year, Kidman was granted a restraining order against Fawcett and another Sydney photographer, Ben McDonald, after claiming the pair were hounding her so much she was afraid to leave her home. The order was later lifted.
Fawcett’s lawyer Paul Russer labelled the DNA testing order ”utterly unreasonable”, saying that because the bug did not record any conversations, there was no evidence an offense was committed.
Outside the court, Russer said Fawcett would appeal the ruling.
Kidman won the 2003 Best Actress Oscar for her portrayal of tormented writer Virginia Woolf in The Hours.
