Virginia Giuffre, the woman who famously settled a high-profile sexual assault lawsuit against Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, has had her criminal court case adjourned until June. Ms Giuffre, who currently resides in Australia, is facing charges for allegedly breaching a family violence restraining order in Ocean Reef, a coastal suburb of northern Perth.
According to Western Australia (WA) Courts, the alleged breach occurred on 2 February 2025. The matter was first brought before Joondalup Magistrates’ Court on 14 March, but Ms Giuffre did not enter a plea at that time. She was again absent from proceedings on Wednesday, when her case was formally adjourned to 11 June for a plea hearing.
Ms Giuffre, 40, did not appear in person for either court session, and no public comment has yet been made by her legal representatives regarding the nature of the alleged breach.
The court development comes just weeks after Ms Giuffre was hospitalised following a car accident involving a school bus. On 24 March, she was a passenger in a vehicle involved in a collision near Neergabby, around 12 miles north of Perth. Western Australia Police confirmed that the crash was reported by the bus driver the next day, and that there were no reported injuries at the scene.
Despite this, Ms Giuffre was admitted to Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Perth after her condition reportedly worsened following the incident. A statement issued shortly thereafter confirmed her release and return home. “Virginia was banged up and bruised and returned home. Virginia’s condition worsened and she was admitted to hospital,” the statement read.
Concern was sparked when Ms Giuffre posted a photo from her hospital bed on Instagram with the troubling caption, “four days to live.” The post caused widespread alarm among her followers and the media. However, a spokesperson later clarified the matter, stating the post was mistakenly shared publicly and had been intended for her private Facebook page.
“She is overwhelmed with gratitude,” the spokesperson added, referencing the many messages of concern and support received in the days following the post.
This series of events has taken place against the backdrop of Ms Giuffre’s continued public profile as a survivor of Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking ring. She made global headlines after filing a civil lawsuit in the United States against Prince Andrew, alleging he sexually assaulted her when she was 17. The Duke of York denied the allegations and claimed he had no recollection of ever meeting her, but agreed to settle the case out of court in early 2022, reportedly paying millions of pounds without admitting liability.
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Ms Giuffre’s current legal troubles in Australia mark a stark shift from her previous public role as an advocate for victims of sexual abuse and trafficking. Details of the restraining order she is alleged to have breached have not been made public, and it remains unclear whether the matter will proceed to trial.
Adding to the complexity of her personal situation, Ms Giuffre is understood to have separated from her husband. In a previous Instagram post dated 22 March, she made a cryptic and emotional statement: “My beautiful babies have no clue how much I love them and they’re being poisoned with lies.”
With the next court appearance scheduled for 11 June, the focus now turns to whether Ms Giuffre will enter a plea and how the case will progress. Her legal team has yet to comment publicly on either the charges or her recent hospitalisation. Meanwhile, public and media interest in her case remains high, given her past role in one of the most notorious scandals involving a member of the British royal family.
