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Ex-News Director blames work pressure for assault

Former SKY News executive editor relied on alcohol to get away from the pressures of life in journalism.

A former SKY News executive editor has blamed the pressures of television for alcohol use which led to him assaulting his wife.

Rob Raschke, who resigned from SKY last month after consenting to an apprehended violence order and entering a guilty plea, appeared at the Downing Centre Local Court in Sydney this morning.

His lawyer said Raschke was attending weekly counselling sessions with a psychologist and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. He added his client had grown to rely on drinking as a way to cope with high stress levels suffered “as a consequence of a heavy workload”.

“All these years, he’s relied on alcohol to some extent to get away from the pressures of life in journalism,” lawyer Michael Bowe told the court.

The former Seven News director pleaded guilty to assaulting his wife, Rachel, in February. He has also been the subject of an apprehended violence order that states he must not approach or be in the company of his wife for at least 12 hours after drinking alcohol or taking illicit drugs.

The Australian reports understood that wife Rachel Raschke sought to withdraw the charges against her husband, but that the police pressed ahead with them.

The court adjourned for sentencing after requesting further evidence of documentation to support the claim that Raschke was seeking professional help.