BREAKING: Prominent media figure Antony Catalano has been charged with serious assault following shocking allegations of violence against a woman. The 59-year-old co-owner and chairman of Australian Community Media (ACM) was accused in court of dragging the victim by her hair and ankles before swinging a clothes iron at her head, resulting in a fractured coccyx.
The incident, which occurred at Catalano’s apartment, has been captured on CCTV footage, and the woman required several hours of hospitalization after the attack. In a hearing at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on March 14, 2026, authorities confirmed he has been charged with assault, false imprisonment, and making threats to kill.
A police informant requested that Catalano be denied bail, labeling him an “unacceptable risk” of further offending and fleeing Victoria. Magistrate Rohan Lawrence described the evidence against Catalano as “relatively strong,” noting that a possible jail term could await him if found guilty.
In court, a police summary revealed that Catalano allegedly dragged the victim to the laundry area, where he brandished the clothes iron towards her head, forcing her to grasp it herself in defense. Catalano’s barrister, Jason Gullaci, SC, acknowledged there was “no doubt” physical contact occurred, but contested the specifics surrounding the incident.
Catalano, who was granted bail on Friday evening, did not respond to requests for comments regarding the charges. The court also heard about his recent struggles with mental health, including a reported episode at his waterfront residence in Wategos Beach, Byron Bay, where he called police due to fears of seeing people near his property.
Catalano, a father of nine, is a significant player in the Australian media landscape, having acquired ACM for $115 million in 2019. His interests include major regional newspapers such as the Canberra Times and the Newcastle Herald, alongside luxury properties across the country.
As this case develops, the implications for Catalano’s career and the media industry are significant. The public is closely watching how these allegations will unfold in the coming days. Stay tuned for further updates on this urgent and developing story.
