A speech pathologist who was allegedly threatened with a knife in her home by her ex-partner is said to be just hours away from confronting him in court after she concluded an AVO.
Lauren Salamakis, 35, and her three children were at the $1.85 million Kellyville home, in northwest Sydney, around 2:30 a.m. Tuesday when Fraser Thomson, 41, reportedly broke into the property with a knife.
Police were called to the quiet suburban street where they found Thomson, 41, with severe cuts to his forearms and Ms Salamakis’ estranged husband, Paul, 39, suffering from cuts to his hands.
The men were treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to Westmead Hospital, both in a stable condition, where Thomson was kept under police guard.
Lauren Salamakis, 35, (pictured) was involved in a horrific alleged breakup and entered on Tuesday
The 41-year-old was released around 12.30am on Tuesday and taken to Castle Hill Police Station where he is assisting officers with their enquiries.
Ms. Salamakis and the three children were shaken but unharmed, police said.
Daily Mail Australia can reveal that Thomson was due to appear in Parramatta local court on Tuesday for a number of charges, including for an AVO, who was knocked out just two weeks ago to protect Ms Salamakis.
However, court documents show their relationship has been tumultuous for some time, with Ms Salamakis also filing an AVO against Thomson in January 2021.
Daily Mail Australia has learned that Mr Salamakis was present at the property at the time of the alleged break-in and has been staying at his estranged wife’s home for the past few weeks.
Neighbors said they parked Mr Salamakis’ black Ford Ranger in the driveway on Monday night.
Speaking to Daily Mail Australia from the hospital on Tuesday, Mr Salamakis said he is recovering and, given the circumstances, is doing well.
He said his morning was spent taking calls and asked for privacy at this time, before thanking the reporter for being in touch.
Fraser Thomson, 41, is assisting police officers after allegedly breaking into the house
Paul Salamakis, 35, (pictured) sustained injuries to his hands and was taken to hospital
Ms. Salamakis, who has a teaching background, runs a speech therapy company in Sydney’s North West.
According to her company website, she has “extensive experience working in school settings with school-aged children, their families, and teachers with a variety of communication challenges.”
Her areas of interest include helping teachers support children in the context of the classroom, early intervention, and supporting children with autism spectrum disorder.
Mr. Salamakis is the general manager of two The Coffee Club stores owned by his mother and sister.
In 2016, he made headlines after dedicating himself to support a family devastated by cancer while working at a McDonalds store in Mount Druitt.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Superintendent Gary Bachelor said items found in a backpack belonging to Thomson indicate his presence at the residence was premeditated.
“We claim that the man … would harm the people at that address,” the superintendent said.
Superintendent Bachelor said it was incredibly “traumatic” and “disturbing” that there were several young children in the home at the time of the alleged break-in.
Officers are investigating whether the terrifying incident happened in northwestern Sydney
A man in a bloodstained shirt was seen being loaded into the back of a police vehicle
“One of the men is known to the police for several reasons,” he said.
“An alleged perpetrator present at such an address is extremely serious.”
Police searched the surrounding streets and obtained CCTV footage and witness statements.
Channel Nine has reported that neighbors say this is not an isolated incident, with police visiting the Kellyville address a number of times in recent weeks.
Neighbors said they were terrified of what they had seen that night.
‘I’ve lived here for five years, a really quiet street. So this is really shocking,” said one man.
A crime scene has been cordoned off and the investigation continues, with uniformed police and plainclothes detectives entering the premises along with forensic teams.
Officers took statements from residents on the quiet cul-de-sac, where homes cost more than $1 million.
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