Wayne Cooper’s estranged wife describes how he allegedly ‘assaulted her as she did laundry at their home – the fashion designer hurling clothes into pool’: ‘I was fearful’

Wayne Cooper’s estranged wife describes how he allegedly ‘assaulted her as she did laundry at their home – the fashion designer hurling clothes into pool’: ‘I was fearful’

•  Designer fought two assault charges on Friday

By Lucy Manly For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 05:17 BST, 11 August 2023 | Updated: 05:17 BST, 11 August 2023

The estranged wife of fashion designer Wayne Cooper has told a court she was left fearful when he allegedly assaulted her while doing the laundry at their beachside home. 

Cooper pleaded not guilty to two charges of assaulting his wife Sarah Marsh in 2015 and 2016 respectively at Waverley Local Court, in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, on Friday. 

At a hearing, Ms Marsh, Cooper’s wife of 14 years, told the court she was doing the laundry when Cooper allegedly tossed the clothes into the pool, grabbed her by both arms and shoved her against a glass door at their Tamarama home in December 2015.

‘I was fearful of what was going to happen next,’ she said.

Fashion designer Wayne Cooper is accused of assaulting his ex-wife and former model Sarah Marsh. Above, he appears at Waverley Local Court in Sydney’s east on Friday

Testifying in court via video link from a witness room, Ms Marsh claimed she developed bruises and scratches from the alleged laundry incident. 

Less than a year later, Cooper allegedly assaulted Ms Marsh during an argument where he threw a toy bear at her in the former couple’s bedroom.

Ms Marsh said she started recording a video to try and deter Cooper. That recording – presented in court – featured a bitter, expletive-ridden row between the pair.

Cooper’s barrister, Hugh White, claimed the designer was required to take ‘reasonable force’ to stop the phone from coming into contact with him.

Ms Marsh claimed her husband had moved out his belongings from the room and she eventually installed a lock on the door.

‘I had a lock on the room so I was able to lock myself in,’ she told the court. ‘That was my safe place.’

Wayne Cooper with his estranged wife Sarah Marsh 

The charges come 18 months after Cooper furiously denied he and Marsh had ended their 25-year relationship. 

Cooper rose to notoriety in the 90s with fashion labels Brave, Wayne Cooper and Wayne.

His clothes were once sold at two boutiques in Melbourne and are now available at Myer department stores.

Cooper’s Australian Fashion Week shows have featured models including Linda Evangelista, Eva Herzigova and Sarah O’Hare (now Murdoch) and he was a regular guest on the reality TV series Australia’s Next Top Model.

Cooper and Marsh’s relationship has come before a court before.  

Cooper was placed on a two-year good behaviour bond in December 2008 after pleading guilty to assaulting Marsh just days after she had cancer surgery.

The hearing continues. 

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