A former TV celebrity repeatedly stabbed his ex-girlfriend and himself, before throwing her on the couch and trying to kiss her, a court has been told.
A handwritten note was later found in the flat saying: "You know I love you, but I hate you because I could never replace you", according to the police facts tendered to the court.
On Tuesday in Sydney's Central Local Court, Joel Betts was ordered to stand trial in the NSW District Court on charges including attempted murder.
He consented to a five-year Apprehended Violence Order banning him from contacting or approaching Samantha Holland.
Betts, 31, is accused of wounding Ms Holland with intent to murder, of wounding her with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and of aggravated detain for advantage.
The alleged offences occurred on April 17 last year, at the unit they once shared in inner-Sydney's Chippendale.
Betts, described as self-employed in marketing, was once a contestant on the reality TV show Australian Survivor and a presenter for Foxtel.
According to the police facts, Ms Holland, then 24, moved out as the relationship had broken down but arranged to collect her belongings on April 17 when Betts agreed to be absent.
Her brother was to help, but as he waited on the street he received texts from her phone.
One said she was talking to Betts and another said: "we're looking like staying together, for now at least, I'll call you soon, thanks for coming today bro x".
Ms Holland later told police Betts sent the texts, as well as one to her mother, from her phone, saying "I love you".
She said they had talked at the flat but when she tried to go downstairs to let her brother in, Betts repeatedly stabbed her in her back.
"She was confused, terrified and started to scream," the facts said. "She was tackled to the ground and Betts continued to stab her."
She pleaded with him to stop and tried to escape but "each time she was overpowered by Betts", the facts said.
When he started to cut his wrists and stab himself in the neck, she tried to escape when "a tip of the small knife broke and remained in her back".
Betts then allegedly used a bread knife to stab both himself and Ms Holland.
She told police she said that if he wanted to die together in "the Romeo and Juliet love scenario he had in mind", he should hand her the knife.
Once she had it, she allegedly stabbed him in the stomach to weaken him and give herself a chance of escaping.
"The wound to the stomach of Betts was quite deep, he became aggressive and threw Ms Holland on the couch and tried to kiss her," the facts said.
Ms Holland got out onto the balcony, climbed over the rail and fell on her back onto the balcony below, before calling for help.
The case will be before the District Court on March 25.
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