An Australian man who is recovering from an alleged attempted murder in France tells of his fear during the hours of the alleged attack.
Callum Forbes is currently in hospital in Tours, France after he was allegedly attacked by his partner David Cao at the Château de Perreux, a luxury château in the Loire Valley, France.
It’s alleged Cao attacked Forbes with a saucepan while the pair were travelling through Europe on the way to Amsterdam WorldPride.
Speaking to Gay Sydney Daily, Forbes said during the alleged attack he couldn’t quite process what was happening.
“I remember thinking, is this real, is this some kind of nightmare,” he said.
“I remember thinking very clearly that I might die there that night in the château.”
Forbes said he was screaming at the top of his lungs and eventually was able to lock himself into the bathroom where he was eventually found by staff.
“I had been bleeding heavily and too terrified to open the door for what felt like 30+ minutes waiting for hotel staff to come in.”
By that time, it’s alleged that Cao had fled the scene, where he was eventually intercepted by French police in Lille, roughly 36 hours after the alleged attack.
He has been placed under formal investigation on charges of attempted murder, torture and acts of barbarity, unlawful confinement, and theft, and was ordered into pre-trial detention following a hearing before an investigating magistrate in Tours.
Tours prosecutor Catherine Sorita-Minard confirmed the charges to local French publication La Nouvelle République. Cao has not been convicted of any offence, and the charges against him are yet to be tested in court.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed to Gay Sydney Daily that it is providing consular assistance to Forbes, and had separately sought to make contact with Cao to offer him consular support.
Forbes is currently recovering in hospital, having suffered severe head injuries and burn marks.
“I’ll have scarring from the stitches on my face and back, but the burns should recover without surgery and many of the stitches/staples are in my hair so aren’t too visible,” he said.
He said he’s still in shock but is focussing on his recovery and getting back to Sydney next week.
“Having my mum here, and the support from family and friends has been incredible,” he said.
“I know things will feel different for a while, but I’m looking forward to getting back to normal life when I can.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732, or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au for online chat and video call support.
