Illawarra restaurateur Daniel Dafkovski accused of strangling, throwing ex-wife down stairs
A well-known restaurant owner on the south coast has been refused bail after allegedly strangling his wife and throwing her down the stairs.
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A well-known Illawarra restaurant owner accused of strangling his ex-wife and posting an intimate image of her on Facebook is behind bars, after being refused bail in a Wollongong court last week.
Daniel Dafkovski, who is well-known for his involvement with multiple restaurants around the Illawarra, including Para at Thirroul, remains in custody, after his application for bail was refused bail by Magistrate Michael Stoddart.
In documents tendered to the court, police allege Dafkovski flew into a fit of rage on December 5, after a heated conversation with his estranged wife about the custody of their two children.
It’s alleged the pair were at their Coniston apartment, when Dafkovski started calling her derogatory names, prompting his wife to send a message to Dafkovski’s mother about his behaviour. But, she accidentally sent the message to Dafkovski himself.
After receiving the message, police allege in court documents that Dafkovski ran into his estranged wife’s room, jumped on the bed and straddled her.
Police allege Dafkovski put both his hands over her throat, with the woman allegedly telling police she couldn’t breathe or scream for approximately 30 seconds, until Dafkovski allegedly moved his hands to change his grip.
As he shifted his grip, the woman told police she screamed for help, before he allegedly began choking her once again.
Court documents say a neighbour heard the commotion and banged on the adjoining bedroom wall, allegedly prompting Dafkovski to “freeze” and let go of his wife’s neck.
It’s then alleged he dragged his wife out of the bedroom by her arms, before pushing her down a set of stairs.
Police allege the woman fled the home and was taken in by a neighbour.
She reported the alleged incident to police and Dafkovski was arrested and charged with choking and assault.
Dafkovski was released on conditional bail, however, police allege on January 15, he posted a photo of his estranged wife in her underwear to his Facebook page.
In court documents, police allege Dafkovski took the image from his wife’s phone without permission, and that it wasn’t intended for him.
Last Friday, Dafkovski’s defence lawyer told the court her client would adhere to any bail conditions and that he would fight the allegations.
However, Magistrate Stoddart refused the application, noting the serious nature of the alleged offences.
The matter will return to court later this week.