EXCLUSIVE
The new wife of top designer Wayne Cooper has been banned by a court from stalking her own husband – despite her claims the couple are more in love than ever.
But Elizabeth Adams, 47, admits the shadow of Cooper’s ex-wife still looms over their marriage nine months after they wed, triggering a meltdown that landed her in court.
‘Like Princess Diana said, “There’s three of us in this marriage”, so it’s getting a bit crowded,’ Ms Adams told Daily Mail at the couple’s home in Myocum, near Byron Bay in northern NSW.
‘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 former UBS banker and mum-of-two faced Byron Bay Local Court last month over an Apprehended Violence Order taken out by NSW Police for her husband’s protection.
Last month Magistrate Kathy Crittenden imposed the AVO for two years, preventing Ms Adams from assaulting or threatening her husband as well as stalking, harassing or intimidating him.
The order also includes intentionally or recklessly destroying or damaging any property owned by Mr Cooper as well as harming an animal that belongs to or is in his possession.
But this week both Ms Adams and Cooper insisted their fledgling marriage was still strong, and dismissed the impact of the court’s strict ruling on their relationship.
Cooper, 61, insisted that despite the court proceedings, the pair remain happy together.
‘Everything is fine,’ he told Daily Mail . ‘It’s a storm in a teacup. We’re together and we’re happy and that’s it.’
Ms Adams has previously admitted Cooper’s continuing links to first wife and mother of his two children, Sarah Marsh, had created ‘immense pressure’ for the couple.
She admitted this week that it had driven her to the point of mental collapse.
‘My recent breakdown underscored the difficulties I thought I could overcome for Wayne to be creative again,’ she told Daily Mail .
‘It reiterates to me, like cigarettes’ warning sign, “Family court will kill your finances”. Leave your past grievances out of court. No one wins.
‘Amidst the chaos, the support I received from my daughters was a source of solace.
‘This support was especially meaningful, and reminiscent of a round table meeting, that served our girls well, allowing us to heal and find harmony today.’
But she added: ‘I would hope we can prioritise ‘s domestic violence crisis over a minor legal matter and focus on what truly matters in our community.’
Cooper popped the question to Adams when he hid an engagement ring in a bowl of caviar during a romantic dinner at Bondi Icebergs in Sydney’s east.
They tied the knot in December in front of close friends and family after dating for eight months, following the breakdown of Cooper’s 14-year marriage to Ms Marsh.
His second marriage came after Cooper himself became the subject of an AVO, when police took one out on behalf of Ms Marsh, a former model.
But Cooper 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.
Daily Mail has contacted Ms Marsh for comment.