Police Evidence and Legal Arguments Revealed in Antony Catalano Assault Case
New details have emerged from police allegations and court proceedings in the assault case involving ACM co-owner Antony Catalano. The ABC reported on Wednesday that the Magistrates Court of Victoria released a recording of a bail hearing held on March 13, shedding light on the serious charges Catalano faces.
Allegations of a Sustained Attack
According to police evidence presented in court, Stefanie Catalano was subjected to a prolonged assault by her husband in the early hours of March 13. Senior Constable Kiran Paramaguru told the court that 59-year-old Catalano was allegedly high on drugs and wearing only his underwear during the incident at the couple's luxury Melbourne apartment.
The officer described how Catalano allegedly began yelling at his wife about a welfare check requested by other family members days earlier. "The victim was already in bed when the accused approached her in a severely drug-affected state and began ranting and shouting," Senior Constable Paramaguru stated in the recording.
Escalation of Violence
Police alleged that Catalano then physically grabbed his wife, dragged her by her hair and ankles through various rooms, and escalated the attack by grabbing a clothes iron and holding it toward her head. "The accused then threatened the victim, stating 'If you scream one more time, I'll stab you to death'," the officer recounted.
CCTV footage from inside the apartment allegedly showed Ms Catalano "pleading for her life" while being attacked by her "fairly irate" husband. The incident lasted approximately an hour, with neighbors hearing screams and calling police.
Escape and Aftermath
Ms Catalano briefly escaped the apartment but was allegedly dragged back inside by her hair as she waited for the elevator. She eventually managed to flee onto the road, where she flagged down a passing vehicle for help. Police arrested Catalano later that day in a nearby suburb, wearing the underwear allegedly torn during the attack.
The court heard that Stefanie Catalano was hospitalized with a fractured tailbone following the alleged assault. Catalano checked himself into rehab and expressed being "deeply ashamed and humiliated."
Legal Arguments and Bail Decision
Catalano's defence barrister, Jason Gullaci SC, told the March 13 hearing there were "triable issues" regarding how the incident began and "whether the complainant was an active participant in it." He noted that while Ms Catalano had made a police complaint against her husband in 2018 for alleged punching and headbutting, no charges were filed due to insufficient evidence.
Despite police arguments for custody, Magistrate Rohan Lawrence released Catalano on bail, citing his lack of prior conviction and potential legal delays. Magistrate Lawrence described the alleged offending as "serious" and noted Catalano could face jail time if found guilty of all charges.
Company Response and Future Proceedings
ACM's board placed Catalano on immediate leave of absence in March after he faced court charged with assault, false imprisonment, and making threats to kill. The company stated that while the allegations will be determined by the court, "violence against women is entirely against the values of our company and our mastheads."
Catalano is due back in court on May 11 and has not entered a plea to the charges. The case continues to unfold as more evidence comes to light through legal proceedings.
