Man charged with assisting suspected murder of missing woman Maryam Hamka

New details have emerged about what happened to missing Melbourne woman Maryam Hamka after a second man was charged in connection to her suspected murder.

A Melbourne tradie allegedly loaned his car to help an acquaintance dispose of the body of suspected murder victim Maryam Hamka.

Oscar Newman is charged with assisting an offender (murder) and appeared via phone link in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday evening for a bail application, which was rejected.

Police allege the 26-year-old man loaned his car to Toby Loughnane, the former boyfriend of the missing woman, to dispose of her body.

“The accused (Mr Newman) assisted Mr Loughnane in loaning him his red Mazda 3, which was used to dispose of Maryam Hamka’s remains,” Detective Senior Constable Jason Stewart told the court.

Missing woman Maryam Hamka. Picture: Instagram

Toby Loughnane has been charged with murder.

Mr Loughnane, 41, was charged with Ms Hamka’s murder last week. Her body has not been found.

Forensic analysis allegedly uncovered the blood and DNA of the woman in the car, the detective told the court.

He alleged Ms Hamka was killed on April 11 at Mr Loughnane’s home at Brighton, in the city’s southeast.

CCTV footage showed Mr Newman at the property multiple times when police believe the body of the missing woman was at the property, the detective told the court.

“There’s one person who definitely knows where the person is (Ms Hamka) and a high probability a second person knows and that’s Mr Newman,” he said.

But a defence lawyer questioned whether there was any evidence of that.

“I don’t have any direct evidence that he knows but there’s a high degree of probability that his attendance on the days ... that he does know,” Detective Stewart said.

He also bought a pressure cleaner on Gumtree at the request of Mr Loughnane, which he took to the Brighton property along with a can of petrol on April 15, the detective alleged.

The officer told the court Mr Newman had a gambling addiction and “owed a debt” to the accused murderer after the alleged killer gave him a car to pawn.

Prosecutor Emma Fargher said the pool cleaner was an “unacceptable risk” and could interfere with police investigations into the murder.

However, his lawyer said there was a presumption of bail while his mother offered to put up a $5000 surety and have him live with her.

But the woman said she had been unable to stop her son from gambling and had a longstanding problem.

The 36-year-old was last seen at a Woolworths in Brunswick on April 10.

Police allege Maryam Hamka was murdered. Picture: Supplied by Victoria Police

In refusing bail, Magistrate Andrew McKenna said there was evidence the tradie was at the house nine times over a six day period after the alleged murder.

“I think the risk is too great,” he said.

He said it appeared Mr Newman was a “trusted acquaintance” of Mr Loughnane.

Both men will return to court in December.

Court documents seen by NCA NewsWire allege Mr Loughnane murdered the 36-year-old in Brighton on April 11 this year.

Ms Hamka was last seen alive leaving a Woolworths store on Albert St, Brunswick at 5.30pm on April 10.

Missing persons squad detectives investigate the disappearance of Maryam Hamka. Picture: Nicki Connolly

The 36-year-old Brunswick woman left her mum’s house with Mr Loughnane on April 10 and told her family that she was going to her boyfriend’s place in Brighton but hasn’t been seen since.

Her family reported her missing to police five days later and detectives allege she was murdered.

But despite an extensive investigation and the charges being brought against her boyfriend, police are yet to find Ms Hamka’s body.

Ms Hamka has been described as being 165cm tall, with a thin build and long black hair, brown eyes and an olive complexion, and was last seen wearing a black dress.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information about the vehicle or Ms Hamka’s whereabouts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

[e-mail]

Originally published as Man charged with assisting suspected murder of missing woman Maryam Hamka