Neck-tattooed bar owner allegedly flew into a blind rage after seeing another man's message on his girlfriend's phone before strangling her and smashing her head on kitchen tiles
- Joel Cooney, owner of Wollongong bar Ron De Vu, was arrested on January 27
- As his girlfriend slept, he allegedly went through her phone and found messages
- He then allegedly dragged her by the legs out of bed, downstairs to the kitchen
- There, police allege, he smashed her head against the tiles and strangled her
A neck-tattooed bar owner has been accused of strangling his girlfriend after becoming 'irate' over messages on her phone from another man.
Joel Cooney, owner of Wollongong cocktail bar Ron De Vu, was arrested and charged on January 27 after allegedly attacking his partner of 18-months two days earlier while intoxicated by drugs.
The 31-year-old was charged with intentionally choke person with recklessness and assault occasioning actual bodily harm and will face court in June.
In documents tendered in court, police allege Cooney picked up his partner up from a friend's place in Gymea and they drove to her home in Taren Point.
Joel Cooney (bottom right) has been accused of strangling his girlfriend after finding messages from another man on her phone on January 25
Once she fell asleep, Cooney allegedly began reading through her messages and became 'irate' upon finding messages between her and a male friend.
He then allegedly stormed upstairs to where she was sleeping, grabbed her legs and dragged her out of bed and down the stairs into the kitchen.
There, police will allege, he smashed her head into the tiled floor then knelt over her and began strangling her neck with both hands, the Daily Telegraph reports.
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In the documents, police claim the alleged victim told them Cooney had 'a crazy look in his eyes'.
It is alleged Cooney covered her mouth and squeezed her nostrils shut so she could not breath, preventing her from screaming for help.
He then allegedly smashed her head into the tiles twice more, before pulling her face close to his and allegedly telling her 'I’ll f***ing kill you.'
The woman was able to escape and ran to a neighbour's home for help, with Cooney allegedly pursuing her across the road to continue screaming abuse.
Police said, in the documents, the witness claimed Cooney 'looked to be under the influence of prohibited drugs' and allegedly drove away from the scene shortly after police were called.
The 31-year-old is the owner of popular Wollongong cocktail bar Ron De Vu (pictured)
It is alleged the woman suffered extensive bruising and swelling to the back of her head, bruising to her neck and swelling to her lips and face.
Cooney 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.
The conditions also outlined that he must not contact his ex-partner or attend the Caringbah and Taren Point areas, and that he abstain from drugs or alcohol.
Cooney was allegedly busted breaching his bail conditions after someone known to him filmed him at Woonona and contacted police.
He was arrested again on Wednesday morning and faced Wollongong Local Court, but was released back on bail until his hearing in June.
Cooney (right) has been released on bail and will return to Wollongong Local Court in June
