Bail for charged parents denied: [2 All-round First Edition]
Stapleton, John. The Australian; Canberra, A.C.T. [Canberra, A.C.T] 19 Nov 2007: 3.
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Abstract
In refusing bail, registrar Neil Langstaff noted there was a presumption against bail in murder cases and considering the history of thecase, including that the couple had been found to be using a false name at a hotel and that the mother had attempted to alter her appearance, there was a high probability of flight.
Their seven-year-old daughter, who had never been to school, weighed only 9kg when her body was found at the couple’s home in Hawks Nest, north of Newcastle, earlier this month.
Community Services Minister Kevin Greene has launched an inquiry into the child’s death, but has been unable to explain his department’s failure to act.
Full Text
THE parents of a seven-year-old girl who allegedly starved to death were refused bail yesterday after being taken into custody on theweekend.
NSW police issued a warrant for their arrest on a charge of murder on Friday after the couple failed to meet detectives.
A member of the public was standing on Albion Park station south of Wollongong when he spotted the pair and rang 000.
Police surrounded the station and arrested the couple without resistance.
After several hours of questioning at Port Kembla police station by homicide detectives, they were each charged with the murder of their daughter.
The mother did not make eye contact with anyone in court yesterday and shuffled out of the dock after a brief appearance. She kept her face largely hidden behind a long mop of hair.
Ten minutes later, the heavily tattooed father was brought to the dock, where he remained silent during his brief appearance.
Neither applied for bail.
In refusing bail, registrar Neil Langstaff noted there was a presumption against bail in murder cases and considering the history of thecase, including that the couple had been found to be using a false name at a hotel and that the mother had attempted to alter her appearance, there was a high probability of flight.
The case was adjourned to Wollongong Court on Wednesday, when the couple will appear via video link.
Their seven-year-old daughter, who had never been to school, weighed only 9kg when her body was found at the couple’s home in Hawks Nest, north of Newcastle, earlier this month.
The death caused a political furore in NSW.
Reports suggest the girl had been repeatedly reported to the Department of Community Services but no action had been taken.
Community Services Minister Kevin Greene has launched an inquiry into the child’s death, but has been unable to explain his department’s failure to act.
The couple were taken separately to hospital by police on Saturday afternoon so they could be provided with “certain medications they have been prescribed”.