Sydney man refused bail after allegedly pouring bleach down partner’s throat

A woman has serious injuries after her partner allegedly poured bleach down her throat in their eastern Sydney home.

The 37-year-old woman was allegedly attacked by her partner, Robert Rowe, 39, in their Maroubra unit about 9pm Monday.

Police allege the couple had been arguing when he pushed her to the floor and poured bleach down her throat.

The woman had been on the phone to when the alleged attack occurred, and the caller quickly hung up and alerted emergency services.

She is being treated for injuries to her throat, oesophagus and lungs at the Prince of Wales Hospital, after what police described as a serious domestic violence attack.

“Investigators were quite horrified with this particular incident,” Detective Inspector Stacey Maloney said..

“The level of violence that was caused to this woman was quite significant.

“She would not only have psychological injuries but also permanent damage in some way, shape or form in terms of physical injuries.”

Anti-domestic violence organisation White Ribbon Australia said rates of intimate partner violence were shocking.

“One woman a week in Australia is killed by a current or former partner, and this year it’s looking at being two a week so it’s only the tip of the iceberg,” spokesman Liam Dooley said.

Mr Rowe faced Waverley Court today, charged with reckless wounding and using poison to inflict grievous bodily harm.

He shouted abused at the magistrate, who told the court that he had a history of violence.

His application for bail was refused.

Police had searched for Mr Rowe since the alleged attack on Monday, and arrested him in Maroubra on Wednesday.