RAAF pilot accused of killing wife in lawnmower incident granted bail
By Cloe Read
A Royal Australian Air Force pilot accused of staging his wife’s death as a late-night lawnmower accident will walk free from custody after he was granted bail by a Supreme Court judge.
Frances Elizabeth Crawford’s body was found by emergency services at the bottom of a retaining wall at the couple’s property on Thomas Road in the Upper Lockyer Valley about 3.30am on July 30 last year.
Her husband, Robert Crawford, 47, stands accused of killing her, with the prosecution alleging he manipulated the scene by sending messages from her phone to himself after her death.
Frances Crawford’s loved ones described her as a devoted mother to three children, a beloved daughter, sister, friend, dedicated health professional, and a valued member of her church and community.Credit: Nine News
In making the application for bail last month, Mr Crawford’s barrister, Saul Holt, told the court his client denied strangling his wife in a “murderous rage”. Holt described the prosecution case as “very weak”.
The prosecution argued against his bail, saying Mr Crawford could be seen as a master manipulator, and submitted he would go to “great means to attempt to conceal his crime to escape punishment”.
Blood from both Crawfords was found inside the home’s en suite, the court earlier heard, and there was trace DNA of Mr Crawford found under all of his wife’s fingernails.
Robert Crawford’s DNA was found under all the fingernails of his deceased wife.Credit: Nine News
Holt said Mr Crawford had left the mower near the retaining wall because he had been charging a battery, and the pair discussed moving the mower because sprinklers were coming on.
Mr Crawford later discovered his wife under the mower after he went looking for her, Holt told the court. He lifted the mower, pulled his wife out and attempted to provide first aid, Holt said.
Holt earlier told the court Mr Crawford had no previous criminal history, and was an excellent candidate for bail.
He said Mr Crawford was “highly motivated” to fight the charge.
The court heard Crawford intended to return to administrative duties at RAAF.Credit: Nine News
Mr Crawford remains suspended from the air force. However, the court heard he intended to have the suspension lifted, and return to work within RAAF in administrative duties.
In handing down her judgment on Friday morning, Justice Frances Williams said parts of the prosecution case were contestable, and would be debated at length before trial.
Williams said Mr Crawford, who was not present in court during the judgment on Friday, would likely not face trial until late 2026.
Williams said she was satisfied proposed bail conditions – which included not leaving Queensland or applying for a passport, and reporting to police – would ameliorate the risk of Mr Crawford not appearing.
His other bail conditions include not contacting witnesses and a $250,000 surety.
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