'He was a brash 22-year-old... now private and withdrawn': Oliver Curtis' father pleads for his son not to be jailed and says trial pressure has had 'psychological effect'

  • Nicholas Curtis has written a letter to the NSW Supreme Court
  • Submission comes as Oliver Curtis faces sentencing on Friday
  • 'The events... have had a profound impact on his life,' said Nick
  • Oliver's defence lawyers have revealed 'vile jokes' about Curtis online
  • Lawyers said he had been called a 'grub' and a 'd***', and other things

Oliver Curtis' father has pleaded for his son not to go to prison, saying years of pressure has had a 'marked psychological effect' and also led the younger Curtis to become 'more private and withdrawn'.  

Resources businessman Nick Curtis AM has watched his son's NSW Supreme Court insider trading trial play out sitting alongside Oliver's wife, public relations queen Roxy Jacenko.

Nick Curtis has written to Justice Lucy McCallum to describe the toll recent years have taken on his son as she considers his sentence. 

The senior Mr Curtis's sentencing submission comes as Oliver's defence lawyers detailed the 'inaccurate, harassing, vile and scandalous' social media commentary he has faced. 

In the defence submission, lawyers said he had been described as a 'grub' and a 'd***'  and subjected to 'vile jokes' about his time in prison. 

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A downcast Oliver Curtis and wife PR executive Roxy Jacenko at the Supreme Court. The company he worked for has ceased operations as he awaits sentencing on Friday

A downcast Oliver Curtis and wife PR executive Roxy Jacenko at the Supreme Court last week

Curtis faces a maximum penalty of five years jail time after being found guilty of conspiracy to commit insider trading earlier this month

Curtis faces a maximum penalty of five years jail time after being found guilty of conspiracy to commit insider trading earlier this month

Oliver's father Nicholas said his son was 'not a socialite' - despite 'media classification' - although he sometimes attracts attention as Roxy Jacenko's husband. She is pictured at her seminar last week

Oliver's father Nicholas said his son was 'not a socialite' - despite 'media classification' - although he sometimes attracts attention as Roxy Jacenko's husband. She is pictured at her seminar last week

Nicholas Curtis AM, the father of Oliver Curtis, was a constant observer of his son's trial and wrote in his defence

Nicholas Curtis AM, the father of Oliver Curtis, was a constant observer of his son's trial and has now written in his defence

In his submission, Nick Curtis he was 'very close to his son' who had changed dramatically since he was a 'brash 22-year-old' at the time of the offence. 

He argued he was "not a socialite" and was actually a 'strong family man' who cared deeply for his wife and two children. 

'The (investigation and trial) have had a profound impact on his life, and have clearly marked him dearly,' he wrote. 

'They do not, however, describe the man I know today. They do not define who he is.'

He reflected on how his son became vice-president of the company they worked at, Riverstone, despite the pressure.  

'At the same time the ongoing stress associated with the investigation and the uncertainty regarding his future bore a toll. 

'Over time Oliver has became more withdrawn and private than the man he had been prior to the investigation...

'I believe that the long term pressure of his public exposure as a possible insider trader has had a marked psychological effect on Oliver and fundamentally changed his way of engaging with the world.'

He continued: 'Since being married he has sought to maintain a low profile, albiet his wife's success in public relations has necessarily put him in the media spotlight from time to time. 

'Despite the media classification he is not a "socialite" seeking out recognition at social events. Most importantly he is a strong family man..' 

In the defence submission, lawyers argued the Judge should take mainstream and social media coverage of Mr Curtis into consideration.  

Nicholas Curtis, page one: 'I am very close my son...(The events) have had a profound impact'

Nicholas Curtis, page one: 'I am very close my son...(The events) have had a profound impact'

Nicholas Curtis, page two: 'He is a very strong family man with a very close relationship with his wife'

Nicholas Curtis, page two: 'He is a very strong family man with a very close relationship with his wife'

Nicholas Curtis, page three: 'I respectfully request that your Honour consider a non-custodial sentence'

Nicholas Curtis, page three: 'I respectfully request that your Honour consider a non-custodial sentence'

The defence said: 'He has been described as a 'grub' and 'd***', and the object of vile jokes such as 'maybe we could put a camera inside Curtis' colon to see what happens in jail'. 

The lawyers continued: 'Mr Curtis has not encouraged or approved of any media at all, let alone media concerning the case itself.

'This intensive and humiliating coverage has caused great shame, embarrassment and concern to Mr Curtis. 

'It has had, and will continue to have, a significant impact on him and his family.' 

While prosecutors seek a jail sentence, Mr Curtis's wife Ms Jacenko has also written a sentencing submission, describing Oliver as the primary carer of their two children. 

A jury found Curtis guilty of conspiracy to commit insider trading earlier this month. 

Curtis will be sentenced on Friday. 

Ms Jacenko is pictured with their daughter Pixie in this recent photograph

Ms Jacenko is pictured with their daughter Pixie in this recent photograph

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