Boyfriend of Sydney banker accused of trying to kill him with saucepan and boiling water at luxury French hotel describes ‘nightmare’

Callum Forbes, the Australian boyfriend of Sydney banker David Cao, has described the terror of an alleged attack in which Cao struck him with a hot saucepan and poured boiling water over him at a boutique hotel in central France. The attack, which allegedly took place on 28 July at the Château de Perreux, has left Forbes with severe head injuries and burns, and he has spoken publicly for the first time about fearing he would die during the incident. The case has drawn attention both for its violence and for Cao's background as a high-profile Sydney finance professional.

Forbes said he locked himself in the hotel bathroom, bleeding heavily, and waited more than 30 minutes in terror before staff found him after guests reported hearing screams. Cao, 37, allegedly fled in a rental car and was arrested roughly 36 hours later near Lille, close to the Belgian border, and has been charged with attempted murder, kidnapping, theft, torture and acts of barbarity. He remains in French custody awaiting trial, though he reportedly hopes to return to Australia within two weeks, with extradition possible under the Australia-France treaty subject to formal approval. Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance to Forbes, who is recovering in hospital.