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Koletti Denies Vaucluse Assault Allegation at Hearing
Koletti says he was misled into police questioning as prosecutors rely on footage and witness evidence in the common assault case.
- Facing trial at Downing Centre Local Court, Anthony Koletti pleaded not guilty on Thursday to common assault for allegedly shoving 73-year-old Julie Brandon at Vaucluse's Lighthouse Reserve last July.
- Defense lawyer Zali Burrows argued her client was entrapped by police, claiming he was lured to Waverley Police Station under the guise of discussing his wife's belongings. Koletti testified he had "no idea" he was being questioned about an assault.
- Julie Brandon testified she was "quite shocked" after being shoved to the grass and admitted pressuring her friend, Erika Van Aalst, to provide a police statement, though she denied threatening to end their friendship over money.
- Rejecting defense claims of duress, Judge Scott Nash ruled the police interview process "entirely appropriate," stating officers cautioned Koletti correctly and there was "no evidence of any deception" during the exchange.
- Closing submissions are scheduled for Friday, June 12, 2026. Koletti is not alleged to have involvement in Caddick's $23 million Ponzi scheme, which investigators raided before she vanished in 2020.
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Caddick’s widower ‘shoulder-barged’ elderly dog walker
As 73-year-old Julie Brandon was walking her dog during a peaceful park stroll, she claims she was violently shoved to the grass. Her alleged attacker, Anthony Koletti, is the husband of Melissa Caddick, a self-styled financial adviser who vanished in 2020 and is presumed dead after defrauding $23 million from family and friends. The 44-year-old hair stylist is accused of shoulder-barging Ms Brandon from behind and failing to stop as he went on …
Coverage Details
Total News Sources9
Leaning Left4Leaning Right1Center2Last UpdatedBias Distribution57% Left
Bias Distribution
- 57% of the sources lean Left
57% Left
L 57%
C 29%
14%
Factuality
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