A Sydney man has described allegedly being attacked with boiling water and a saucepan by his partner while sleeping in a luxury French villa. Callum Forbes reported second-degree burns to his face, torso, and arms, as well as a burst eardrum, after his then-partner, Australian banker David Cao, allegedly poured hot water over him and struck him with the pan.
The incident occurred on July 28 at the Château de Perreux boutique hotel in the Nazelles-Négron area of central France, where the couple was staying for one night as part of a European holiday. Forbes stated the alleged attack happened shortly after he and Cao had discussed separating.
Forbes, who was sleeping at the time, told The Daily Telegraph that he initially thought he was experiencing a nightmare. "I was burned, badly burned," he recounted. "I still thought I was in a nightmare until I looked down and saw blood everywhere on the floor – it was like a murder scene. I started screaming for help."
According to police allegations, Cao, 37, fled the hotel in a rental car. A 36-hour manhunt ensued, with authorities tracking his movements to Rouen, then Paris, and finally Lille, near the Belgian border. He was apprehended by French authorities as he disembarked a train.
Cao, who was employed by ING as head of retail value creation at the time, is now facing charges in France including attempted murder, kidnapping, theft, torture, and acts of barbarity. He reportedly admitted to the attack but denied intending to kill Forbes.
Forbes is currently receiving consular assistance from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). An ING spokesperson confirmed the bank was aware of the allegations involving a former employee.