Ron De Vu Wollongong owner Joel Cooney accused of attack on partner
The owner of a popular Wollongong bar has faced court accused of smashing his partner’s head on his kitchen tiles before kneeling over her, stifling her screams and strangling her.
Illawarra Star
Don't miss out on the headlines from Illawarra Star. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Man admits to role in drug ring allegedly headed by redhead twins
- Tributes flow for teen killed in crash
The owner of a popular Wollongong bar has faced court accused of strangling his partner and threatening to kill her while believed to be under the influence of drugs.
Joel Cooney, owner of Wollongong night spot Ron De Vu was first arrested and charged on January 27, after an allegedly violent, early morning attack on his partner of 18-months.
In documents tendered to the court, police allege that on January 25, after driving his partner home from a friend’s place in Gymea to her home in Taren Point, Cooney began reading through messages on her phone after she’d gone to bed.
It’s alleged Cooney saw messages between his partner and her male friend and became “irate”.
In the documents, police allege Cooney stormed upstairs where his partner was sleeping, grabbed her by the leg and dragged her out of bed, before pulling her downstairs into the kitchen and allegedly smashing her head into the tiled floor.
Police allege that as she lay on the ground, Cooney knelt over her, placed both hands around her neck and started strangling her.
In the documents, police claim the alleged victim told them Cooney had “a crazy look in his eyes” and that at one point she passed out, before waking to find his hand back around her throat.
It’s alleged she tried to scream for help, but Cooney covered her mouth and allegedly squeezed her nostrils shut so she couldn’t breath.
Cooney allegedly smashed her head into the tiles a further two times, before pulling her face close to his and allegedly saying “I’ll f***ing kill you.”
The woman was able to escape Cooney and run to a neighbour’s home, who allegedly told police they had heard screams coming from a nearby home.
It’s alleged that while the woman asked for her neighbour’s help, Cooney followed her across the road and continued yelling at her.
In court documents, police say the witness claimed Cooney “looked to be under the influence of prohibited drugs”.
Cooney allegedly left in his car shortly after and police were called. It’s alleged his partner suffered extensive bruising and swelling to the back of her head, as well as bruising to her neck and swelling to her lips and face.
Cooney was arrested two days later and charged with intentionally choke person with recklessness and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
He appeared at Sutherland Local Court, and was granted bail on the conditions he only leave his home for work at Ron De Vu or medical appointments, that he not contact his ex-partner or attend the Caringbah and Taren Point areas, and that he abstain from drugs or alcohol.
Despite agreeing to the terms of bail, Cooney was allegedly busted breaching the conditions on Monday, when someone known to him filmed him walking along the Princes Highway at Woonona.
Police were made aware of the alleged breach and arrested Cooney on Wednesday morning.
Following his arrest, the 31-year-old faced Wollongong Local Court, where Magistrate Claire Girotto allowed him to be released back to bail.
Cooney has not yet entered pleas to the charges and will return to court in June.