A Sydney banker has been accused of attacking his Australian partner with a saucepan and boiling water at a luxury hotel in France.
David Cao allegedly struck Callum Forbes on the head before pouring boiling water over his body during the incident on 28 July at the Château de Perreux in Nazelles-Négron, central France.
Mr Forbes, 36, suffered second-degree burns to his face, torso, neck and upper arms, as well as a burst eardrum and serious head injuries that required stitches.
French authorities arrested Cao, 37, about 36 hours later in Lille, close to the Belgian border, after he allegedly fled the hotel in a hire car. He has been charged with attempted murder and remains in custody in France while the investigation continues.
The couple had been travelling through Europe and were staying at the château as part of a trip that was due to end in Amsterdam. French reports said hotel staff responded after hearing screams and found Forbes badly injured.
Cao had been working for financial services group ING in Sydney at the time of the alleged attack. The company has since confirmed that he is no longer employed by the bank.
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance to Forbes, who has continued to recover from his injuries.
