Four weeks have passed since media tycoon and Byron Bay hotelier Antony Catalano - known to many as 'The Cat' - was allegedly high on drugs wearing only his underwear when he launched a terrifying attack on wife Stefanie inside their $36million Melbourne penthouse.

Now, fresh details have emerged about the lead-up to the alleged assault - including claims of his restaurant meeting with a woman visiting from Sydney.

Catalano, a father of nine, was moving in glamorous circles in the days prior to his arrest - and, according to a well-placed insider, was seen 'hobnobbing' trackside at the Formula One Grand Prix with a female companion.

This woman had reportedly travelled to Melbourne because of an interest in the McLaren team and subsequently got to know Catalano.

The two are understood to have had dinner at France-Soir, a well-heeled South Yarra institution that Catalano was known to frequent with his wife.

Days later, events took an allegedly dramatic turn.

The Mail does not suggest Catalano having dinner with the woman was anything other than an innocent meeting, nor that it was connected to events that followed. 

Police allege that in the early hours of March 13, Stefanie feared for her life as her husband launched a sustained and frenzied attack inside the couple’s luxury apartment. 

The allegations were aired during a bail application at the Magistrates' Court of Victoria, after a recording of the hearing was released.

Catalano had been at the 40th birthday dinner for graphic designer Daanen Nootenboom at the Salona restaurant in Richmond earlier that evening before returning home separately to his wife.

Senior Constable Kiran Paramaguru told the court that Catalano was in a 'severely drug-affected state' when he approached his wife as she lay in bed, ranting and demanding to see her phone.

What followed, police allege, was a prolonged and violent ordeal.

Catalano allegedly grabbed his wife by the hair and ankles, dragging her through the apartment and into the laundry, where parts of the incident were captured on CCTV.

It was there, police said, that he allegedly picked up a clothes iron and held it to her head.

'The accused is fairly irate and seen reaching across the victim, grabbing an iron, and swings it at her with quite significant force,' the officer told the court.

'She feared it would be used against her to kill her.' 

In a bid to leave behind evidence, Stefanie allegedly grabbed at her husband’s underwear during the attack.

The court heard she attempted to flee, reaching the elevator before being dragged back inside.

A neighbour called police as the situation escalated.

Stefanie allegedly later managed to break free and run into the street in distress, flagging down a passing car and pleading for help.

She was treated in hospital for injuries including a fractured coccyx.

The alleged incident has sent shockwaves through Catalano’s business empire.

He was subsequently stood down from Australian Community Media (ACM), the regional publishing group he co-owns.

In the aftermath, Catalano checked himself into The Delmont Private Hospital, a private rehabilitation facility, and said he was 'deeply ashamed and humiliated'.

The 59-year-old now faces multiple serious charges, including assault, false imprisonment and making threats to kill.

Police further alleged he had been abusing alcohol and cocaine for some time and had a history of drug-induced psychosis.

Days before the alleged attack, Catalano reportedly called police from his Byron Bay property, claiming he could see people coming out of the 'woodwork'.

The high-profile businessman is no stranger to legal disputes.

In late 2024, he became embroiled in a bitter corporate feud with Nick Bolton following a deal with fund manager Geoff Wilson that ultimately led to Bolton’s ousting from Keybridge Capital.

Bolton later attempted - unsuccessfully - to challenge control of a significant stake in Catalano’s media empire through the Federal Court.