One of Sydney‘s most salacious sagas starring a self-made multimillionaire businesswoman, her former male-escort partner and his ex-boyfriend was finally due to play out in court this week.
But for the trio caught up in a sordid love triangle that has sent the city’s elite social scene into meltdown, it’ll be nearly two more months before they reach a resolution at the Downing Centre Local Court.
For those unfamiliar with one of Sydney’s busiest courts, it’s a hodgepodge of blokes in borrowed suits two sizes too big, dial-a-dealers decked head-to-toe in designer labels, and that one guy loudly assuring anyone who’ll listen that he ‘knows his rights’.
And on Tuesday, it was set to be the stage for former male escort Michael Burn, who recently became engaged to BondiBoost founder Alexandra Jakob, and Mr Burn’s ex, Geoffrey Williams.
But after waiting all day to secure a free magistrate and courtroom, and failing to reach a settlement before the hearing, the day was cut short when a no-nonsense magistrate refused to sit through the saga, knowing it could take up to four hours.
The matter began last February when Mr Burn sought an apprehended violence order (AVO) against his former partner Mr Williams, citing ‘harassing and stalking behaviour’.
Former escort Michael Burn and his multimillionaire fiancée Alexandra Jakob put on a united front arriving at court on Tuesday
Geoffrey Williams (pictured) ran the high-end Jake Ryan escort agency with his ex-partner Michael Burn
In response, Mr Williams lodged a police complaint alleging that Ms Jakob threatened to ‘have a bullet put in his head’ during a phone call after discovering his relationship with Mr Burn.
The Daily Mail does not suggest the allegations are true, only that a complaint was made to NSW Police.
Mr Williams’ police report came weeks before Mr Burn and Ms Jakob filed the private AVO.
And one year on, after countless court appearances, the matter was finally due to be heard – despite Mr Burn’s barrister AJ Karim’s endless attempts to strike a deal with Mr Williams, which ultimately failed.
Clad in a fitted grey blazer, cinched-up slacks, sockless loafers, and a flashy Dior belt, Mr Burn looked pleased with Karim, who at one point let him slip on a gold watch, likely a gift from Ms Jakob.
Meanwhile, he continually gave me a cutting stare across the courtroom.
His Angelina Jolie lookalike fiancée, sporting a diamond ‘M’ necklace, is no stranger to intense media attention, but was surprisingly friendly when I approached to introduce myself, as I had reported on her before.
That charm, however, vanished the moment she was ushered away by Mr Burn, who muttered a quick ‘Sorry’ in my direction.
Michael Burn sporting a designer outfit for what was meant to be his AVO hearing against his ex Geoffrey Williams
Ms Jakob carried a Hermès Kelly bag while her bisexual fiancé is seen with a Louis Vuitton laptop bag
The pair put on an amorous display outside the court
Michael Burn continually gave me a cutting stare across the courtroom
She did, however, have a bone to pick with A Current Affair reporter Steve Marshall – I overheard her correcting his earlier claim that her handbag was worth $8,000. ‘It’s actually $80,000,’ she insisted.
It’s little wonder the saga has dominated headlines. Before the drama erupted, Mr Williams ran the high-end Jake Ryan escort agency with his then-partner.
Mr Burn was reportedly one of the agency’s most popular escorts, booking clients across Sydney and Melbourne and earning up to $20,000 a week. The two men were also more than business partners – they were lovers.
But everything turned toxic when Mr Burn moved into his future bride’s $100million Point Piper mansion on Sydney Harbour.
Allegations of violence, threats, and extortion have since come to the fore, with police filing an apprehended violence order against Mr Williams on behalf of Mr Burn.
Mr Williams insists he fears for his own safety. ‘I get relentless calls, relentless threats. I’ve pretty much gone into hiding for the last three and a half months,’ he told A Current Affair last year.
Mr Burn, an expat from Britain, was applying for a partner visa at the time their tumultuous nine-year relationship ended.
Ms Jakob and Mr Burn’s whirlwind romance started in September 2023. The pair got engaged in September 2024 and plan to marry at the 17th-century Grantley Hill in England’s Yorkshire Dales later this year.
Adding further intrigue, Ms Jakob has also been in and out of court with her ex-husband Gabriel Jakob.
The pair were together for 12 years and made a fortune from childcare centres before separating in March 2023.
The two men were more than business partners – they were also lovers
Williams and Burn were in a relationship for nine years before things turned sour
Ms Jakob has also been in and out of court with her ex-husband Gabriel Jakob. (The pair pictured on their wedding day)
While many former couples opt for a clean break, the Jakobs currently remain neighbours, occupying tri-level mansions on one of Australia’s most expensive and exclusive streets in Point Piper.
Unfortunately, the former Mr and Mrs Jakob and her new partner Mr Burn – who has Alexandra’s name tattooed on his chest – have also not made for a harmonious trio.
In hearing back in December, an apprehended domestic violence order was made to protect Mr Jakob from Mr Burn for 12 months.
The order prohibits Mr Burn from contacting or approaching Mr Jakob – a man so media-shy he wouldn’t let the AFR show his face in a glowing 2024 profile – except through lawyers, and from engaging in any form of assault, harassment or intimidation.
The Daily Mail does not suggest Mr Burn has done any of these things, only that they are the standard conditions of the AVO.
Meanwhile, two charges of stalk/intimidate against Mr Burn related to Mr Jakob were withdrawn after he pleaded not guilty. He pleaded guilty to a third charge, which was dealt with under Section 10(1)(a), meaning the court found the offence proven but did not record a conviction.
Sadly, that’s not the end of the saga.
Further court dates loom. Mr Burn is due back in court on February 17, this time as the party seeking protection in an AVO application against another person who, I should note, is not Gabriel Jakob.
And March 23 sees Ms Jakob listed in separate proceedings.
Oh, and a separate Federal Court matter between the former Sydney power couple is still ongoing.
Meanwhile, Mr Burn, Ms Jakob and Mr Williams will return to court on April 7 in the hopes the matter will be put to rest.
