Cobram man John Torney, who allegedly assaulted Emma Bates before she was found dead in northern Victoria, is also accused of breaching a family violence intervention order, a court has heard.
Torney appeared in the Shepparton magistrates court on Friday, flanked by two police officers.
Police investigating the death of Bates, 49, allege Torney assaulted her and intentionally caused injury. Emergency services discovered the local woman dead at a property in Cobram, near Victoria’s border with New South Wales, on Tuesday afternoon.
Prosecutor Charles Moffatt told the court that police were seeking amendments to the charges, including specifying that a charge relates to the Family Violence Protection Act.
“Victoria police are alleging a serious assault and contravention of [the] Family Violence Protection Act,” Moffat said.
The defence did not oppose the amendments to the charge.
According to court documents, police allege that between 20 April and 23 April, Torney did “persistently contravene” a family violence safety notice or family violence intervention order.
They alleged this also involved attending or loitering outside the protected person’s residence or workplace.
Police allege between those same dates, Torney assaulted and intentionally caused injury to Bates.
Torney’s lawyer, Kyle McLaughlin, told the court that the “proper venue” for the case should be in Cobram, about a 50-minute drive from Shepparton.
But magistrate Peter Dunn said there were no secure custody facilities at the Cobram court house. McLaughlin said the defence would apply for Torney to appear remotely for future matters.
Asked by Dunn about custody management issues, McLaughlin said Torney identified as Aboriginal and was withdrawing from a drug dependency.
Torney has not made an application for bail, the court heard.
Police on Wednesday charged Torney, 39, with intentionally causing injury, recklessly causing injury, common law assault, aggravated assault of a female and unlawful assault.
Police said on Wednesday that emergency services were called to an address on Campbell Road in Cobram, near the border between Victoria and New South Wales, at about 2.15pm on Tuesday. Bates was found dead at the property.
On Wednesday evening, police said detectives from Cobram’s crime investigation unit were working to establish the circumstances around the woman’s death.
Torney was remanded to appear again at the Shepparton magistrates court on 21 May for a mention hearing.
In a statement on Thursday, Bates’ family paid tribute to “proud aunty” who had the “biggest heart of anyone we know”.
“She was always helping someone,” the family said in the statement.
“Dropping in food for an elderly neighbour. Giving lifts to people who needed it. The list goes on.”
“She was the crazy cat lady aunt. She had her rescues that she treated like her babies. Her home decor was all cat inspired.”