A former reality TV star who once appeared on the music talent show Popstars has fronted Wollongong Local Court charged with abusing his heavily pregnant partner at their Shell Cove home.
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Selwyn Pretorius, whose early 2000 hits include Buggin' Me and Way Love's Supposed to Be, allegedly assaulted and intimidated the woman in the early hours of January 27, then contravened an emergency apprehended violence order put in place later the same day.
Pretorius pleaded not guilty to the assault and intimidation charges in court on Thursday and the case was set down for a hearing in May.
He pleaded guilty to the contravention charge, which it is believed involved him sending his partner a text message despite being banned from contacting her.
He was released on conditional bail to live with his mother in Mascot and has been ordered not to go within 100 metres of the Shell Cove home.
Pretorius had multiple top-20 singles in the ARIA charts during the height of his fame and even performed as opening act for the likes of Destiny's Child and Craig David.
He told Fairfax Media in 2002 he was working in a supermarket when he was first noticed for his singing.
“I was pushin' trolleys and [producer Audius Mtawarira] heard me singin' out loud,” Pretorius said.
“I took his number down and then we hooked up - and from there we started workin' together, man ... And everything I touch turns to gold now!”
According to his Wikipedia page, Pretorius released two albums, Meant to Be, in 2002, and One Way, in 2004.
