A Ballina-based solicitor accused of engaging in sexual relationships with prison inmates and unlawfully accessing confidential files has been granted bail after spending five months on remand.

Vanessa O’Bryan, 32, a former solicitor with the NSW Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), was granted bail following her arrest in October 2025 after an investigation by Ballina detectives.

She had worked in the DPP’s Lismore office prior to the charges being laid.

Secrecy order overturned

The case remained largely out of public view after a non-publication order was imposed by Ballina Local Court Magistrate Kathy Crittenden in December 2025.

Following a five-month legal challenge by News Corp, the NSW Supreme Court lifted the suppression order on Friday, although part of the order remains in place.

“There is a higher public interest in open justice where a solicitor has been charged with serious criminal offences,” Justice Sarah McNaughton said.

The lifting of the order has allowed broader reporting of allegations that had been withheld from the public for months.

It can now be reported that, while employed with the DPP, O’Bryan allegedly engaged in a relationship with convicted gangland killer Joshua Baines — a former client from her time as a criminal defence lawyer — as well as other inmates, including Terry Sampson.

Baines is serving a 27-year sentence for his role in the 2016 murder of Pasquale Barbaro in Earlwood, in Sydney’s inner west.

It is further alleged she had a prolonged association with a number of criminals and received $5,000 said to be proceeds of crime.

Vanessa O’Bryan  -out on bail after spending five months in remand. (Photo:X)

Main Image – Former DPP Prosecutor Vanessa O’Bryan and convicted gangland killer Joshua Baines with whom she is alleged to have had a sexual relationship. (Photo: Linked In/ABC)

The next brief hearing will be in Ballina Court next month.

Ballina raid launched the case

Investigations began in September 2025 when detectives from the Richmond Police District established Strike Force Jillberta after allegations O’Bryan failed to declare an inappropriate relationship.

Police allege she unlawfully accessed confidential information on an official computer system and engaged in an inappropriate sexual relationship with an inmate.

On October 30, 2025, officers executed a search warrant at a Ballina home about 6.30am.

Police seized mobile phones, computers and documentation before arresting O’Bryan and taking her to Ballina Police Station, where she was charged.

Multiple charges

O’Bryan was initially charged with three counts of misconduct in public office, two counts of accessing restricted data, and hindering the discovery of evidence.

In a second tranche of charges, she was also accused of knowingly deriving a material benefit from a criminal group and knowingly dealing with proceeds of crime with intent to conceal.

DPP Overhauled

The case has also prompted changes inside the office of Department of Public Prosecutions.

In a public statement, the DPP said it had undertaken recruitment checks relating to the professional and ethical obligations of legal practitioners, including police checks, conflict of interest declarations and the obligations required to hold a practising certificate.

The agency said it is now developing stricter recruitment checks and ongoing suitability checks throughout a person’s employment.

It also said it had begun a comprehensive review of its IT security systems in consultation with external experts, including further restrictions on staff access to sensitive material.

Bail conditions imposed on O’Bryan last year required her to live in the Northern Rivers region.

She must not “attend or contact any correctional facility or inmate at any correctional facility”, or contact any prosecution witness involved in the matters while they are before the court.

The matter is next listed for a brief hearing in Ballina Local Court on May 7.