Inside the crazy Qantas love triangle that ended in violence when hostie, 24, attacked love rival, 50, over her cheating ex

A Qantas flight attendant who punched her 50-year-old former colleague after discovering she had slept with her ex-partner were ‘best friends’ before their relationship turned violent.

Arabella Lansdown was sentenced in Brisbane District Court on Wednesday after pleading guilty to beating Paula Graham at her home on November 26, 2022, when she found out her partner had slept with her ex-partner Jackson Martin.

However, according to a friend close to the trio, the women’s friendship was more than just colleagues before their fallout.

“They were best friends,” the source revealed to Daily Mail Australia.

“For a while they did everything together, I wouldn’t say they were just colleagues, because that’s not right.”

Arabella Lansdown (right) was sentenced in Brisbane District Court on Wednesday after pleading guilty to punching Paula Graham (left)

The source added that Ms Lansdown and Mr Martin, 26, were still in a relationship until recently.

“Until recently, they were still dating, although they are in a toxic relationship that has been on and off for years.”

Both women worked as flight attendants for Qantas and Lansdown considered her victim a ‘confidante’.

The one-punch restraint caused fractures to Ms. Graham’s cheekbone, upper jaw and eye socket.

Ms Graham, who no longer works for the airline, had to undergo surgery to have titanium plates and screws placed in her face.

The court was told Lansdown confronted Ms Graham at her home after finding out she had slept with Mr Martin.

Despite initial denials, the woman admitted to the sexual relationship and apologized.

In her victim impact statement, Ms Graham said she continued to suffer from persistent numbness and psychological problems after the attack.

Paula Graham needed surgery and titanium plates and screws placed in her face after an attack by her former friend Arabella Lansdown

The women became best friends while working at Qantas

But Judge Loury noted that the same woman wished Lansdown no harm and asked the court not to impose a harsh sentence.

“She writes, ‘May this (victim impact statement) together with your own stress be punishment enough,'” Judge Loury said.

Lawyer Martin Longhurst argued that the injuries in this case were ‘borderline’ of assault causing actual bodily harm.

“I don’t think they’re borderline, I don’t think you can say that,” Judge Loury told Mr Longhurst.

‘This woman had to undergo surgery to repair these injuries… these are significant injuries, it is significant that one blow caused the injuries.

“She is responsible for the injuries whether she meant it or not.”

Lansdown pleaded guilty on Wednesday to a single charge of grievous bodily harm.

The court was told Lansdown was ‘well regarded’ by her colleagues, who said her actions were ‘completely out of character’.

Arabella Lansdown and Jackson Martin were believed to be in a relationship until March 5, 2024

Both women worked as flight attendants for Qantas and Lansdown (left) considered Ms Graham (right) her victim a ‘confidant’

Mr Longhurst said his client had started an Indigenous internship with Qantas in high school and worked as a flight attendant for five years.

He told the court that Lansdown risked losing her job as a flight attendant if convicted because she would not be issued an Aviation Security Investment Card required for domestic travel as part of her job.

Qantas had retained Lansdown’s employment and she could still work for the airline, just not on planes, the court was told.

Mr Longhurst said Lansdown had experienced prejudice during her childhood and had visited a psychologist about “difficulties” in coming to terms with the end of the relationship with her ex-partner.

His client had also offered compensation and written a letter of regret to the court.

Judge Loury ultimately gave the 24-year-old an 18-month prison sentence, but suspended it for two years.

Lansdown was also ordered to pay $2,000 in compensation to Ms Graham within four months.