EXCLUSIVE
The wife of a top fashion designer has sought refuge with friends in Sydney days after she was allegedly assaulted by her husband who has quietly returned to their home in Byron Bay.
Elizabeth Adams is understood to be staying with friends as she navigates her latest dispute with her husband designer Wayne Cooper.
Cooper, 61, allegedly became involved in a violent argument with Ms Adams, 47, which allegedly involved a wine bottle at an apartment complex on Campbell Parade in Bondi.
Ms Adams went to police with her claims on Sunday evening, sparking an investigation into the alleged incident.
The British-born designer was charged with one count of assault and slapped with an interim Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) later that night.
He is due to appear before Waverley Local Court on Thursday, where it’s understood he will plead not guilty.
‘I don’t see how their relationship could come back from this,’ a friend close to the couple said.
Fashion designer Wayne Cooper has been charged with assaulting his new wife Elizabeth Adams after an incident in Bondi
Wayne has returned to the couples home in Myocum home in Byron Bay hinterland
‘She [Elizabeth] doesn’t want to go down the toxic make-up and break-up Wayne had with his ex [Sarah].’
It is the latest saga in the couple’s tumultuous relationship.
Three months ago, a Byron Bay magistrate imposed a two-year AVO against Ms Adams, preventing her from assaulting or threatening Cooper.
However, in September Ms Adams said her husband’s continuing links to first wife and mother of his two children, Sarah Marsh, had put ‘immense pressure’ on the couple, who have only been married nine months.
‘Like Princess Diana said, ‘There’s three of us in this marriage’, so it’s getting a bit crowded,’ she explained.
‘But, despite the uncertainties, my commitment to Wayne is unwavering. Our love for one another is infectious and we’re more committed than ever.’
The alleged assault came days after the couple celebrated their first marriage anniversary on December 1 last year, having tied the knot nine months after meeting and falling ‘madly in love’ following the breakdown of Cooper’s 25-year relationship with Marsh.
Sarah Marsh is pictured with Wayne Cooper
Cooper and Adams live in a multimillion-dollar resort-style home in Myocum the Byron Hinterland where he has returned to while she remains in Sydney
Cooper and Adams live in a multi-million dollar resort-style home in Myocum in the Byron Bay hinterland.
The British-born designer popped the question to Ms Adams when he hid an engagement ring in a bowl of caviar during a romantic dinner at Bondi Icebergs.
Cooper and Marsh’s tumultuous 14-year marriage had earlier come to an end in 2022 and police took out an AVO on the former model’s behalf.
She claimed that in December 2015 Cooper threw clothes into the pool at their Tamarama home during an argument, grabbed her by both arms and shoved her against a glass door.
However, he was acquitted of two charges of domestic violence-related common assault at Waverley Local Court, in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, in August last year.
Magistrate Emma Manea said she doubted Ms Marsh’s reliability and her allegations that he assaulted her twice in 2015 and 2016.
Despite her ex tying the knot soon after their split, Ms Marsh said she has no intention of finding love again anytime soon.
‘Coming out of a 30 year relationship I’m not in a hurry to settle down – or entertain a relationship,’ she said in September.
‘My priority is looking after myself and my kids.’
