Adelaide psychiatrist narrowly avoids losing her $1.4m mansion over $2000 car crash bill
An Adelaide psychiatrist has narrowly avoided losing her $1.4 million mansion over a $2000 car crash debt.
Psychiatrist Dr Helen Marmanidis’s Barton Terrace West, North Adelaide, home was set to go up for auction on Friday after an unpaid debt to insurer RAA spiraled up to $15,000.
Dr Marmanidis denies being involved in the 2012 car accident that sparked the long running legal drama.
She allegedly reversed her 1994 model BMW into an Alfa Romeo.
The Alpha Romeo owner successfully claimed for repairs on his RAA insurance but the insurer has been battling ever since to recoup its costs from Dr Marmanidis.
News Corp reports the company won a court judgement against Dr Marmanidis in August 2013, but she failed to oppose the ruling or pay costs.
Eight months ago, the Supreme Court approved a warrant of sale, meaning the $1.4m property in which the doctor has lived for two decades was about to be up for grabs.
However, an 11th hour payment appears to have halted the sale.
According to The Advertiser, the $15,000 now owed was paid to sheriffs just in time to keep the auctioneer away.
A last ditch effort had failed to halt the sale in the Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, with Magistrate Jane Schammer refusing to agree to the stoppage because of the lateness of the challenge, and earlier opportunities to pay up.
Dr Marmanidis told the court she continued to deny any involvement in the 2012 prang.
