Anthony Koletti acquitted over alleged collision with elderly woman in Sydney park
Anthony Koletti, the husband of missing conwoman Melissa Caddick, has been acquitted of assaulting an elderly woman at a Sydney park. Judge Scott Nash found the prosecution unable to prove beyond reasonable doubt that Koletti deliberately or recklessly collided with Julie Brandon, 73, at Vaucluse in July 2025. The judge stated he lacked sufficient evidence about the circumstances to determine Koletti's state of mind.
Ms Brandon testified she was struck from behind and knocked to the ground, but her companion did not witness the alleged shove. Koletti told police he was wearing earphones and denied knowledge of the incident, initially believing officers wanted to speak with him about his wife's belongings. He is the husband of Caddick, a self-styled financial adviser who vanished in November 2020 and is presumed dead after defrauding family and friends of $23 million.
- Anthony Koletti acquitted of assaulting elderly dog walker
- Insufficient evidence to prove deliberate or reckless conduct
- Koletti is husband of missing conwoman Melissa Caddick
New here? Start with this
Anthony Koletti is the husband of Melissa Caddick, who is at the centre of one of Australia's most significant missing persons and fraud cases. Caddick vanished in November 2020 after defrauding family and friends of around 23 million dollars whilst presenting herself as a financial adviser. She is presumed dead, and her disappearance remains unsolved and continues to attract significant public interest.
Koletti has remained closely associated with the Caddick case since his wife's disappearance. In 2025, he faced legal proceedings following an allegation that he had struck an elderly woman at a park in Sydney's Vaucluse area during an incident in July of that year.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The elderly woman provided direct testimony that she was struck from behind and knocked to the ground, sustaining injury. Whilst her companion did not witness the alleged push, her account is credible and consistent. Koletti's claim that he was unaware of hitting someone whilst wearing earphones strains credulity; a person would ordinarily notice such contact. A reasonable fact-finder could infer recklessness from his apparent indifference to striking an elderly woman, and the legal standard should not elevate technicality over genuine justice for a victim.
The case against
The judge correctly applied the law by requiring proof beyond reasonable doubt of Koletti's culpable mental state. A single eyewitness account, uncorroborated by the alleged victim's companion, provides insufficient evidence to prove deliberate or reckless conduct. Wearing earphones whilst moving through a park, even if it resulted in accidental contact, does not constitute assault unless accompanied by proof of intent or recklessness. The presumption of innocence demands that the state meet its burden; here it did not establish Koletti's state of mind with the required certainty.
Art Business Culture Markets World
Read the full article at the source →
Originally published by Daily Mail as “Melissa Caddick’s husband wins court fight over claim he knocked elderly dog walker to the ground”.