“The complainant says she believed he was going to kill her.”
A neighbour called police and the woman was hospitalised. Cox allegedly climbed out of the balcony and was lying on the driveway when he saw police sirens and lights.
Pictured with Josh Massoud, Cox (right) allegedly said he was “defending himself” but agreed the force was not reasonable.
Police arrived to find the woman groaning and reporting a sharp pain to her abdomen and ribs as well as red marks to her left shoulder, abdomen and both sides of her neck.
She was allegedly coughing up blood and “blacked out” after Cox allegedly strangled her.
Blood was spattered on the pillows and sheets and on paper in the toilet bowl.
Grogin said body-worn video obtained by police showed an officer asking the complainant, “Did he strangle you?” and she said, “He tried to kill me.”
‘The complainant says she believed he was going to kill her.’
Magistrate Greg Grogin
After his arrest and during a police interview, Cox allegedly said he was “defending himself” but agreed the force was not reasonable.
Prosecutor Nellia Ng opposed bail for the “strong prosecution case” and concern of a risk Cox would further endanger the victim, reoffend or fail to appear in court. But defence lawyer Ben Barrack said “some would say it was a weak case” and his close family ties in Broadbeach, Queensland, would mitigate bail risks.
Barrack said Cox had seen a nearby inmate kill himself and violent fights daily in the 30 days he spent in custody. He said these traumatic experiences would act as a further deterrent to breaching any bail conditions.
Granting bail, Grogin said Cox could spend “a substantial period in custody on remand, which may very well exceed the time in prison he may receive [if he is found or pleads guilty]”.
‘Some would say it was a weak case.’
Defence lawyer Ben Barrack
Cox must surrender his passport, report to police in Broadbeach twice a week and not contact any prosecution witnesses.
Cox has not pleaded to the charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm (DV) and intentionally choking (DV).
Police also took out an apprehended domestic violence order on behalf of the woman against Cox.
After a 20-year reporting career with stints at Triple M, Channel Ten and Channel Seven, Cox joined communications firm Wilkinson Butler where he served as “a trusted adviser to chief executives and boards during some of the most high-profile, intense crises in recent memory” and worked closely with lawyers, according to the firm’s website.
Wilkinson Butler managing director Andrew Butler earlier said Cox would be stood down from his role, saying the company was “profoundly shocked by the very serious charges” and would support Cox’s family with access to counselling.
Cox is next due to face court on July 18.
Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732).
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