UPDATE: Since publication of this article, the Post has learned that the restraining order granted Nicole Kidman against Ben McDonald on Jan. 27, 2005 was an interim order that was later revoked on Feb. 11, 2005. The case was dismissed in March 2005.
Nicole Kidman was previously granted a restraining order against the same paparazzo who accused Taylor Swift’s dad of assault, Page Six can confirm.
The “Big Little Lies” star won a court battle against freelance photographer Ben McDonald and his pal Jamie Fawcett in January 2005 after a listening device was found on her Sydney property, per People.
At the time, a judge ordered the duo to stay at least 60 feet away from the actress and her home after she claimed they made her fear for her safety and feel like a prisoner in her house.
Page Six’s discovery comes as McDonald, 51, alleged he was attacked by the “Lover” songstress’ father, Scott Swift, at Sydney’s North Shore Tuesday.
The pap told the Daily Mail that the father-daughter duo were leaving a party on a ferry wharf around 2:30 a.m. when Scott “charged” toward him and hit him on the left side of his face.
McDonald insisted he didn’t do anything to provoke the family patriarch, 71, as Taylor’s security team ushered the pop star and her father to their car while simultaneously shoving umbrellas in paps’ faces.
“He probably decided he needed to defend his daughter, for some reason,” he told the outlet. “In 23 years I have never seen anything like it.”
Paparrazi snaps at the time of the alleged altercation showed the 14-time Grammy winner, 34, and Scott holding onto each other while leaving the dock as Taylor covered herself with a black umbrella.
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They were joined by two security guards, who flashed a light at the paps.
Footage obtained by Daily Mail also showed the alleged attack play out. The pap’s video camera jolted as two people seemingly ran into each other while Taylor and Scott got into the car.
A man can be heard stumbling as a voice is heard saying, “Who was that dude?”
Despite McDonald’s allegations, Taylor’s team had a different story to tell.
We’re told, “two individuals were aggressively pushing their way towards Taylor, grabbing at her security personnel, and threatening to throw a female staff member into the water.”
Still, the NSW Police Force is in the middle of an investigation to determine who is at fault.
