New details emerge of media boss Antony Catalano’s alleged assault on partner
New details have emerged about the alleged attack on Australian Community Media boss Antony Catalano’s wife last month, including that the accused was in a “severely drug-affected state”.
Mr Catalano was charged by police with assault, threats to kill and false imprisonment following the alleged early morning incident at the couple’s St Kilda flat on March 13.
The co-owner of the newspaper company, who has since resigned as chairman, appeared in court the same day and was released on bail; He later checked himself into a rehabilitation centre.
Mr Catalano was not required to enter a defense to the charges and released a statement a day later saying he was taking a six-month leave of absence from all professional responsibilities and was “very sorry”.
“I am deeply ashamed and humiliated. I know my actions have hurt and alarmed others, including the woman involved, my family, friends, colleagues and many others associated with businesses I have the privilege of managing,” he said, according to the Herald Sun.
“I know I have disappointed many people. I am deeply sorry for the impact my behavior has had on my family, colleagues and staff at View Media Group and Australian Community Media.
“On the advice of my lawyers, I will not comment further while the matter is before the courts.”
On Tuesday, the ABC published a report on Mr Catalano’s bail application in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on March 13, after the court released an audio recording of the hearing. NewsWire has applied to the court to gain access to the same recording, but this requires judicial approval.
According to the ABC, Senior Constable Kiran Paramaguru claimed in court that the 59-year-old began shouting at his wife after other family members had requested welfare benefits in the previous days while he was in a “severely drug-affected state”.
Mr. Catalano allegedly dragged his wife around the apartment by her hair and ankles and held a clothes iron to her head while the two fought, the police officer reported.
It was alleged that after the woman managed to escape for a short time, she was dragged inside, and Mr. Catalano said, “If you scream again, I will stab you to death.”
The court was told police claimed the woman was able to escape the apartment complex and that a passing motorist helped her and found her “in extreme distress,” according to the report.
Mr. Catalano was arrested the same day in a nearby suburb for allegedly wearing torn underwear at the time of the incident.
The ABC reported that Mr Catalano’s lawyer, Jason Gullaci SC, stated there were triable issues in the case and questioned whether the woman was an “active participant”.
Defense counsel also brought up Mr. Catalano’s clean criminal record and significant property and business interests.
Mr Catalan was released on bail and is expected to return to court on 11 May.
Australian Community Media owns several major newspapers and news websites, including The Canberra Times, Newcastle Herald and Illawarra Mercury.
