Antony Catalano: media mogul accused of assaulting wife excused from attending court due to fears over press scrutiny

A media mogul charged with assaulting his wife has avoided facing court in person over concerns growing media attention could be detrimental to his mental health. Antony Catalano, 59, was charged with assault, false imprisonment and making threats to kill over an incident in the early hours of March 13. He was due to appear in Melbourne Magistrates Court in person for the first time since being accused of assaulting his wife, Stefanie Catalano. His lawyer Tony Hargreaves said the matter had attracted intense media attention, including an incident in which an image was taken of his client during rehab. Hargreaves described the media attention as “potentially detrimental to his mental health”. He asked for his client to be excused from appearing in person due to the media scrutiny, but acknowledged that Catalano was at his lawyer’s office metres from the court. Magistrate Nahrain Warda granted the leave. Appearing via video link, Catalano wore a black suit, white shirt and dark tie. He appeared to fidget at times and sat with his hands clasped during the brief hearing. It is alleged Catalano grabbed his wife by the hair and ankles, and dragged her around a Melbourne apartment, according to multiple media reports. He is also accused of swinging an iron at her. Catalano was also watching online on Monday. Catalano, the co-owner of Australian Community Media, successfully sought bail after the incident during a late-night court hearing. …