Australian media mogul Antony Catalano to move overseas with family amid assault allegations, court told

Media mogul Antony Catalano is planning to relocate overseas with his family amid a court case over allegations he attacked his wife.

The 59-year-old businessman appeared at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday morning flanked by three lawyers; Dermot Dann KC, Tony Hargreaves, and Conor O’Bryan.

His attendance marked the first time he had appeared in person following his release on bail after he was excused from attending previous court hearings due to concerns the “throng of media” could affect his mental health.

Mr Catalano is accused of attacking his wife, Stefanie, during a late-night incident at the pair’s St Kilda penthouse in Melbourne on March 13 in a “severely drug-affected state”.

Police allege he detained her in the apartment, threatened her life, choked her and assaulted her with a clothing iron.

She allegedly fled the apartment and was found nearby by a motorist in a state of extreme distress, while Mr Catalano was arrested the same day wearing a pair of torn underwear.

The wealthy media owner is charged with eight offences, including recklessly causing injury, unlawful imprisonment and assault.

In court, Mr Dann said there were efforts under way to resolve the case, including by the possible withdrawal of all charges.

Mr Dann said his client’s wife “doesn’t want the charges to proceed in any way, shape or form”.

“Mr Catalano and his wife are trying to pick up the pieces and put those pieces back together,” he said.

Mr Dann said his client hadn’t “shut the door” on a plea to resolve the case and “avoid the trauma” of a full hearing.

He also argued allegations Mr Catalano had strangled his wife and swung an iron at her head weren’t backed up by CCTV footage from the night in question.

“The position, of course, is maybe all, if not all a vast majority, of those (charges) will no longer proceed,” he said.

Prosecutor Jane Warren told the court there were “meaningful discussions still progressing” and supported Mr Dann’s request for an adjournment.