Newspaper tycoon Antony Catalano has pleaded for protection from the press after he was accused of beating his wife and was photographed by the media while in rehabilitation. Catalano, co-owner and former chairman of Australian Community Media (ACM), avoided appearing in court in person to evade photographers as he faces charges of assault, false imprisonment, and making threats to kill.
The 59-year-old journalist-turned-executive appeared via video-link from his lawyer's office on Monday instead of attending court. His lawyer, Tony Hargreaves, informed the magistrate that his client was stressed about facing the waiting media pack, stating, "I'm not sure, your honour probably didn't see the throng downstairs with media, but it's submitted that it's potentially detrimental to his mental health. He's quite anxious about the whole thing, to force him to proceed downstairs through the media."
Catalano was directed to turn on his camera, where he was seen holding his head in his hands as the hearing continued via video link. Hargreaves told the court that his client had already addressed the media after his first court appearance in March, expressing remorse and acknowledging his substance abuse and mental health issues. The court heard that Catalano had completed a 28-day rehabilitation program successfully.
Hargreaves also raised concerns about the media photographing his client outside the rehab facility, noting the intense media attention. Catalano was allowed to participate in the hearing remotely and was excused from attending his next hearing in June. The matter was adjourned to allow his legal team to compile medical reports.
Catalano is accused of assaulting his wife, Stefanie, who also watched Monday's hearing via audio-visual link. At an earlier hearing, Senior Constable Kiran Paramaguru told the court that Catalano began yelling at Stefanie about a welfare check requested by family members. The officer described how Catalano, in a drug-affected state, dragged his wife by her hair and ankles through the apartment, grabbed a clothes iron, and held it near her head. Police said Ms. Catalano screamed for help, briefly escaped, but was dragged back inside by her hair. Catalano allegedly threatened her, saying, "If you scream one more time, I'll stab you to death."
Sen Const Paramaguru stated that Ms. Catalano grabbed at her husband's underwear to leave signs of a struggle for evidence. CCTV from inside the apartment and common areas allegedly captured much of the incident, including Ms. Catalano pleading for her life. A 27-second recording from a neighbor's apartment captured screaming and Ms. Catalano saying "let me go" multiple times. The court heard that Ms. Catalano eventually fled and was hospitalized with a fractured tailbone. Catalano was arrested later that day in his torn underwear 10 km away.
The court was also told that Ms. Catalano had made a police complaint against her husband in 2018 for allegedly punching and headbutting her, but the case did not proceed due to insufficient evidence. Catalano expressed deep shame and humiliation in a March interview, acknowledging his mental health issues and regret for not seeking help earlier.
