Newspaper tycoon Antony Catalano has pleaded for protection from the press after he was accused of beating his wife and was snapped by the media while in rehab.
Catalano, co-owner and former chairman of Australian Community Media (ACM), dodged appearing in court in person to avoid photographers as he faced charges of assault, false imprisonment and making threats to kill.
The journalist-turned-executive, 59, instead faced court via video-link from his lawyer's office on Monday.
His lawyer Tony Hargreaves told the magistrate his client was not in court as expected because he was stressed about facing the waiting media pack.
'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,' Mr Hargreaves said.
'He's quite anxious about the whole thing, to force him to proceed downstairs through the media.'
Catalano was directed to turn his camera on where he was seen holding his head in his hands as the hearing continued via video link.
Mr Hargreaves told the court his client had already addressed the media following his first court appearance in March.
Antony Catalano (left) is accused of assaulting his wife Stefanie
'He immediately acknowledged his remorse and sorrow for what had taken place and publicly acknowledged that he had substance abuse - pharmaceutical and other substances - and mental health issues,' he said.
The court heard Catalano was admitted to a rehabilitation hospital for 28 days and successfully completed the program.
Mr Hargreaves also raised concerns about the media taking his client's photograph outside the rehab facility.
'The matter has received intense media attention, including photographs being taken of him in rehabilitation,' he said.
Catalano was allowed to participate in the hearing remotely.
He was also excused from attending his next hearing in June.
The matter was adjourned to allow Catalano's legal team to compile medical reports.
Catalano is accused of assaulting his wife Stefanie, who also watched Monday's hearing by AV link.
Newspaper tycoon Antony Catalano has pleaded for protection from the press after he was accused of beating his wife and was snapped by the media while in rehab
At an earlier hearing, Senior Constable Kiran Paramaguru told the court Catalano began yelling at Stefanie in relation to a welfare check that was requested by other family members days prior.
'The victim was already in bed when the accused approached her in a severely drug-affected state and began ranting and shouting at the victim about matters that don't pertain to her,' the officer said, according to the ABC.
'The accused then demanded the victim's phone and escalated this unprovoked attack on the victim by physically grabbing her.
'The accused has then proceeded to drag the victim by her hair and ankles through various rooms and hallways within the large apartment complex that they reside in.'
Catalano allegedly dragged his wife to a laundry area and grabbed a clothes iron and held it towards her head, the court heard.
Police said Ms Catalano had been screaming for help and managed to briefly escape the apartment but was allegedly dragged back inside by her hair as she waited for the elevator.
'The accused then threatened the victim, stating: "If you scream one more time, I'll stab you to death",' Sen Const Paramaguru said.
Sen Const Paramaguru said Ms Catalano grabbed at her husband's underwear during the incident 'with the intent of leaving behind signs of a struggle, which would indicate some sort of evidence for police to investigate'.
Antony Catalano, co-owner and former chairman of Australian Community Media (ACM), faces charges of assault, false imprisonment and making threats to kill
The $30million St Kilda penthouse where Catalano is accused of bashing his wife
It is understood CCTV from cameras inside the apartment, a foyer area and a corridor captured much of the alleged incident.
The footage allegedly captured Ms Catalano 'pleading for her life' while being attacked by her husband.
'[He] can then be seen reaching across the victim, who's now on the floor, and grab an iron and swing it at her with quite considerable force,' Sen Const Paramaguru said.
A 27-second recording from inside a neighbour's apartment captured screaming and Ms Catalano saying 'let me go' multiple times, the ABC reported.
The court heard Ms Catalano eventually managed to flee the apartment.
Mr Catalano was arrested later that day in his torn underwear 10km away in the suburb of Hampton.
The court heard his wife was hospitalised and suffered a fractured tailbone in the incident.
During legal argument, the court was told Ms Catalano had made a police complaint against her husband in 2018 when he allegedly punched and headbutted her.
The court was told Stefanie Catalano had made a police complaint against husband Antony (pictured together) in 2018 when he allegedly punched and headbutted her
But the case did not proceed due to insufficient evidence.
'I am deeply ashamed and humiliated,' Catalano told the Australian Financial Review in March.
'Those close to me have been urging me to seek professional help for some time and there have been interventions by close family and friends.
'I regret not heeding their advice and I continued to believe I could hide my mental health issues.
'I allowed shame and pride to prevent me from confronting these problems and seeking treatment earlier.'