Injured, terrified and too afraid to open the door… David Cao’s partner reveals the moment he thought he might d!:e
A Sydney man allegedly attacked by his partner at a luxury French chateau has spoken about his ordeal.
Callum Forbes described locking himself in a bathroom after he was allegedly attacked by his partner David Cao, a Sydney banker.
David Cao was most previously employed by ING. LinkedIn
“I remember thinking very clearly that I might die there that night in the chateau,” Forbes told Gay Sydney Daily.
“I had been bleeding heavily and too terrified to open the door for what felt like 30-plus minutes waiting for hotel staff to come in.”
When staff arrived in the room, Cao had fled.
Callum Forbes was allegedly attacked by his partner in a French hotel room. Supplied
Cao, 37, has been charged with attempted murder. Forbes is still recovering in hospital.
Cao was detained near the Belgian border after allegedly trying to board a train out of France, about 36 hours after the alleged attack on his partner.
Cao and his partner were staying at the Château de Perreux boutique hotel, which is located in the Nazelles-Negron region of south-west France.
According to local news reports, Cao is alleged to have hit his partner on the head with a saucepan and poured boiling water over his body on July 28.
The Château de Perreux boutique hotel, where the alleged attack took place. iStock
“One of the partners had just been struck several times on the head during a domestic dispute in which separation was being discussed,” a report from French outlet La Nouvelle Republique said.
“The victim began shouting ‘help’ while a saucepan with a sharp edge was used as a weapon.
“The brutality of the blows was such that the handle of the pan broke under the impact.”
It was further claimed the alleged victim had serious injuries to his head, as well as wounds and burns to his body.
It is alleged Cao left the hotel immediately after the alleged attack in a rental car, and travelled towards the French-Belgian border.
Authorities said he travelled to the city of Rouen, before catching a train to Paris, and then Lille in northern France.
He was apprehended by police on July 30 at Lille train station, a key stop that allows travel to other European nations like Belgium, the Netherlands and the UK.
It has been reported Cao and his partner were travelling through Europe, with their trip set to end at the WorldPride event Amsterdam.
Cao has been charged with attempted murder, acts of torture and barbarity, kidnapping, and theft, and is set to face trial, according to local media reports.
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According to his LinkedIn profile, Cao has worked for some of Australia’s biggest banks, including Westpac and Bank of Queensland.
His profile states he works for ING as Head of Retail and Value Creation, holding the role since May.
However, the company told nine.com.au on Thursday that Cao no longer works for the bank.
“We are aware of the allegations regarding a former employee,” a spokesperson for the company said.
He has also been on the board of LGBTQ+ organisation Rainbow Giving Australia Foundation since January.
The organisation has been contacted for comment.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade told nine.com.au it was providing consular assistance to the injured man but was still attempting to make contact with Cao.
“The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance to an Australian hospitalised in France,” a spokesperson said.
“The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is seeking to make contact with an Australian detained in France to offer consular assistance.”
It said it was unable to make further comment, owing to privacy obligations.
SOURCE: 9 NEWS
https://www.nine.com.au/world-news/uk-europe/sydney-banker-david-cao-charged-attempted-murder-alleged-attack-on-partner-luxury-french-hotel-20260813-p60o4b.html
