John Torney, 39, of Cobram, appeared briefly in Shepparton Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, May 21, on a video link to Melbourne Remand Centre.
He is charged with two counts of unlawful assault, intentionally causing injury, and assault between April 21 and 23, as well as persistently contravening a family violence order, as well as eight separate counts of contravening a family violence intervention order.
The charges come after Cobram woman Emma Bates, 49, was found dead in her Cobram home on April 23.
When Mr Torney first appeared in court on April 26, the prosecutor said police were alleging a “serious assault” as well as several contraventions of the Family Violence Intervention Act.
Mr Torney is also facing a separate charge of unlawful assault on March 18 relating to another matter.
On Tuesday, his lawyer Nelson Brown told the court the charges had been case conferenced with the prosecution and had not resolved.
He then asked for the matter to be booked in for a contest mention.
While no official plea has been entered, a contest mention indicates the charges may be fought.
Prosecutor Leading Senior Constable Anna Hanlon also withdrew the first 13 charges and replaced them with 13 different ones, indicating there was “incorrect wording” on the initial charges that were laid.
The main part of the charges, however, remains the same.
The eight contravention of family violence intervention order charges relate to contraventions between April 20 and 23, as well as persistently contravening the order between April 22 and 23.
The charges also allege Mr Torney contravened the intervention order on April 20 by making a threat to kill, which caused apprehension or fear.
They also allege Mr Torney contravened it by contacting or communicating with Ms Bates on April 21, 22 and 23, as well as between April 20 and 23, as well as by causing for her to fear for the safety of wellbeing of another person on April 23.
He is also charged with contravening the order by going to, or loitering outside, Ms Bates’ home twice on April 22 and twice on April 23, and by going within five metres of her on April 22.
Leading Sen Constable Hanlon also said the prosecution was waiting for outstanding medical reports that “should be ready in the next four weeks”.
Mr Torney did not apply for bail and will remain in custody until his next court appearance in June.
27°C