Coffs Harbour man Aaron Logue accused of savagely attacking partner during Byron Bay holiday

A North Coast man has denied claims he repeatedly smashed his partner’s head into a tiled wall before hitting on her sister. Here’s what happened in Byron court.

Aaron Logue faced Byron Bay Local Court, pleading not guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm and other charges. Picture: Facebook.

A holiday-maker has been accused of repeatedly slamming his girlfriend’s head into a tiled wall at a Byron Bay hotel before hitting on the battered woman’s sister.

Coffs Harbour man Aaron Logue, 40, pleaded not guilty at Byron Bay Local Court on Tuesday to assaulting his then-girlfriend occasioning actual bodily harm, intimidation with the intention of causing fear and physical harm, and larceny.

Logue has strongly denied the allegations.

Logue, his girlfriend and her sister went on a trip to Byron Bay together, the court heard during a hearing before Magistrate Karen Stafford.

Aaron Logue leaves Byron Bay Local Court. Picture: Savannah Pocock.

The group were at the Beach Hotel for lunch and drinks on August 5 last year, near the end of their trip. Logue left the sisters there to attend an appointment.

The women chatted to a man sitting nearby and he bought them drinks, upsetting Logue.

“Two young girls with a man buying them drinks and showing them his cars – I knew what was going on, I’m not silly,” he told the court.

The group left for Elements of Byron hotel and dined in the restaurant.

It’s alleged Logue was denied wine unless he bought food due to intoxication.

Elements of Byron Hotel. Picture: Google

Logue then allegedly trapped the woman in the bathroom of their hotel room.

A friend of the victim claimed in court: “She tried to slap him out of the way and he just snapped.”

“He was very rough and banged her head against the tiles four or five times,” she claimed.

“She remembers being in a bed with Aaron wiping away the blood with a wet towel.”

The court heard the woman resisted attempts to be put in bed. Logue told the court “I didn’t want to leave her in a bundle on the floor”.

It’s alleged Logue took his partner’s iPhone and Apple Watch and smoked a cigar before returning to the restaurant to eat pizza with her sister.

Logue has denied the thefts and said his partner “had a fall” after he blocked her from slapping him.

Elements of Byron Hotel. Picture: Google

The court heard Logue was calm when he returned to the restaurant and briefly mentioned his partner had fallen over and hit her head on the vanity.

“At the time I didn’t know how bad her injuries were. Seeing the extent of them was traumatic,” the sister told the court.

Logue and the sister spoke for almost an hour and he began making sexually suggestive comments, she claimed.

It’s alleged Logue told her “I picked the wrong sister” and said: “Can I come to your room? No funny business, I just want to snuggle. I don’t want to be alone.”

“He made me feel extremely uncomfortable,” the sister told the court.

Logue’s girlfriend then called stating that she had been attacked by him, it’s alleged.

“She said she was going home before hanging up,” the sister said.

The injured woman hit the road and began driving back to Coffs Harbour.

Logue overheard the call, appeared panicked and phoned triple-0, telling the sister he believed his partner was drink driving, the court heard.

“He was visibly distressed, his whole demeanour so quickly changed,” the sister said.

Logue and the sister went back to their hotel rooms.

Aaron Logue outside the court. Picture: Savannah Pocock.

The alleged victim’s friend told the court she met with her in Coffs and found her to be “in complete and utter shock”, suffering facial and head injuries. She claimed Logue beat her.

Logue told the court he had considered calling the police on his partner while she was driving because he was concerned for her safety, but prosecutor Nathan Lockett did not agree.

“Logue became panicked after the woman’s phone call to her sister not because he was concerned she was drink driving, he was really concerned that the woman was making allegations against him,” he said.

Mr Lockett told the court Logue stole the woman’s phone and watch so she could not contact her sister and report “the vicious injuries”, but Logue denied all accusations.

Aaron Logue leaves the court. Picture: Savannah Pocock.

Defence lawyer Sophie Anderson told the court Logue had also been the victim of violence in the relationship.

“I’ve had high heels thrown at my face and had to wear makeup to cover the bruises up,” Logue said.

A photo of a bruise on his arm was presented in court.

The hearing was adjourned to December 20.