A media mogul charged with threatening to fatally stab his wife has avoided facing court in person over concerns public attention could be detrimental to his mental health.
Documents released by Melbourne Magistrates Court on Monday reveal Antony Catalano is facing eight criminal charges relating to an incident against his wife, Stefanie, in the early hours of March 13.
Police allege the 59-year-old choked his wife, held her against her will and assaulted her, including one alleged incident involving a clothing iron.
Catalano was due to appear before court in person on Monday for the first time since being accused of assaulting his wife.
There was a large media presence in the courtroom, with only standing room available.
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.
Mr Hargreaves described the attention as "potentially detrimental to his mental health".
He asked for his client to be excused from appearing in person because of media scrutiny, but acknowledged 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.
Ms 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.
On Monday his case was adjourned for another hearing in June.
Mr Hargreaves reported his client had successfully completed his 28-day stint in rehab and had "deep remorse and sorrow" for his actions on March 13.
He said it was still "early days" for his client.
Australian Community Media, the country's largest regional and rural digital media company, owns titles including The Canberra Times and The Newcastle Herald.
Catalano bought the business from Nine Entertainment for $115 million in 2019.
He spent 26 years with Fairfax and was chief executive of Domain for four years, leading the property classifieds operation through its 2017 spin-off from Fairfax into a separately listed business.
ACM general manager Tony Kendall confirmed in March Catalano was placed on an immediate leave of absence until the court case was resolved.
Catalano is yet to enter a plea to the charges.