Ex-TV presenter ‘tried to kill’ woman in domestic violence spat, court hears

A woman thought a former Channel Seven presenter was going to kill her when he allegedly strangled her until she lost consciousness, a court has heard.

A woman thought a former Channel Seven presenter was “going to kill her” when he allegedly strangled her until she blacked out and left her coughing up blood, a court has heard.

Liam David Cox appeared via audiovisual link in Sydney Downing Centre Local Court on Monday to apply for bail after spending nearly a month behind bars on remand over the claims.

Police allege the 39-year-old attacked a woman and choked her during an alleged domestic violence incident at a house in Vaucluse, in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, on the night of May 4.

The woman told police the former television presenter had wrestled her to the ground, straddled her, and proceeded to forcefully strangle her until she lost consciousness.

“He tried to kill me,” the court heard she told police.

Former journalist Liam Cox has been charged with choking and assaulting a woman in an alleged domestic violence incident which led to her hospitalisation. Picture: LinkedIn

When officers arrived on the scene, the court heard they found the woman bleeding from her nose and coughing up blood.

The court heard police saw red marks on the woman’s abdomen, shoulder, and both sides of her neck.

They also found blood splattered on the sheets and pillows in the bedroom and on tissues in the toilet bowl.

The woman was treated by paramedics before being hospitalised over her injuries.

Mr Cox was arrested at a hotel in Bondi Beach the following day and charged with the domestic violence offences of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and intentionally choking a person without consent.

On Monday, the veteran former television presenter wore a prison issued green tracksuit and his hair slicked back as he asked the court to release him on bail.

The court heard the altercation occurred after he had attended a charity fundraiser with the woman, where he drank several glasses of champagne and two espresso martinis.

The couple became embroiled in a heated argument, during which Magistrate Greg Grogin said the facts stated the woman had been “the instigator” and “quite aggressive”.

He clarified he was “not victim blaming” but highlighting the context of the “extremely serious allegations” which showed Mr Cox allegedly lashed out after an “ongoing” argument.

Mr Cox worked as a presenter for Channel Seven and Channel Ten. Picture: YouTube

Mr Cox’s lawyer Ben Barrack told the court the couple had clashed three times that night, and the woman had punched and kicked Mr Cox in the lead up to the alleged assault.

The court heard Mr Cox had claimed he was acting in self defence but admitted he had not used reasonable force.

His lawyer said the woman’s allegations were “highly problematic” and emphasised she had not yet provided a statement to police about the alleged assault.

If denied bail, Mr Barrack said it was likely his client would spend more time in custody on remand than he would receive as a sentence if he was found guilty.

In a letter tendered to the court, Mr Cox described his 30-day stay at a maximum security prison as a “revolving door of gangsters” and violent inmates.

“Stabbing and bashings occur every few days and serve as a stark reminder of the harsh reality of prison,” he said in his letter.

However, police prosecutor Nellia Ng argued he should not be granted bail because there was a risk Mr Cox would further endanger the alleged victim, commit further offences, or fail to appear in court.

“The facts are serious,” she said.

Magistrate Grogin determined the risks could be mitigated if Mr Cox resided in Queensland and was barred from contacting his alleged victim.

Mr Cox interviewed former NRL player Sam Burgess (left) during his stint as a sports presenter for Channel 7. Picture: YouTube

He granted bail with strict conditions requiring Mr Cox to surrender his passport, report to police, and abstain from contacting the woman.

In doing so, the magistrate issued a stark warning to the former television presenter.

“Domestic violence should not occur anywhere at any time with anybody for any reason,” Magistrate Grogin said.

“Any temptation to contact (the woman) will be a short-course way to come back before the court via AVL wearing green. You don’t need to do that.”

The matter will return to court next month.

Mr Cox worked as a journalist for 20 years, during which time he worked as a presenter for Channel Seven, Channel Ten, and radio station Triple M.