Major legal cases in Wide Bay region set to stretch into 2025
As 2024 comes to a close, several high-profile legal battles in the Wide Bay region remain unresolved, with many set to continue into 2025.
Police & Courts
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As the year draws to a close, numerous high-profile legal cases in the Wide Bay region remain unresolved, with many expected to continue into 2025.
From the murder trial of a Biggenden woman to major drug importation cases and allegations of deadly altercations, these trials are not only capturing public attention but also raising questions about the local judicial system’s capacity to handle such complex cases.
As these cases progress into the new year, their outcomes could have lasting impacts on both the legal landscape and community trust in the justice system.
Kerry Blackman
Dr Kerry Blackman, a prominent Indigenous leader, academic, and author, appeared in Bundaberg Magistrates Court on December 3, facing two charges of sexual assault. The case was adjourned.
He is well-known for his leadership with the Gidarjil Development Corporation and his advocacy for Indigenous causes.
Blackman will next appear in Bundaberg Magistrates Court on 13 Jan 2025 for a committal.
He is yet to enter a plea.
Joe Prendergast
The committal hearing for South Burnett businessman Joe Prendergast, facing allegations of rape and sexual assault, has been delayed again, now scheduled for March 24, 2025, at Kingaroy Magistrates Court.
Prendergast, the managing director of Dusty Hill Vineyard and other businesses, has been charged with 11 counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault, and multiple charges related to indecent treatment of a child.
The charges involve two complainants, one of whom is a woman in her 30s and the other a minor under 16.
He is yet to enter any pleas.
Ronald Madden
Ronald Joseph Madden, 69, was denied bail for a third time in Bundaberg Magistrates Court.
He is charged with dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death and leaving the scene after allegedly hitting 68-year-old Malcolm “Andy” Langtree on November 17. Madden’s lawyer stated that previous bail denials were due to police concerns for his safety.
Medical evidence presented in court was deemed insufficient to change circumstances, leading to the latest bail refusal.
Court documents show Langtree’s sister, Deborah Sills, wrote a letter on November 21 asking for leniency towards Madden.
Madden is scheduled to appear in court again on January 13, 2025.
He is yet to enter any pleas.
Jade Cherry
Jade Hugh Cherry, 30, is facing multiple new charges after allegedly hitting 36-year-old Colin Watson with his car and fleeing the scene in Kingaroy on September 3.
Cherry has been charged with dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death, unlicensed driving, and failing to remain at the scene.
The incident occurred when Watson was walking to a shop and was struck by Cherry’s black Mercedes-Benz.
Cherry is now facing a total of eight charges, including evading police, driving an unregistered vehicle, and failing to provide a blood or saliva sample.
His case was adjourned. He is yet to enter any pleas.
KB Child Care Centre
KB Child Care and Early Learning Pty Ltd, operating as Little Gems Child Care and Early Learning Centre in Maryborough, is facing charges related to the death of two-year-old Kaleb Wade.
The centre has been charged with failing to adequately supervise children after Kaleb was found unresponsive at the facility on July 20, 2022.
Court documents reveal that Kaleb, along with other children, was put to bed by three educators, but between 2pm and 2:15pm, there was no supervisor in the sleeping area. Kaleb was later found face down and unresponsive.
The case has been adjourned.
Granville shooter
A siege occurred in Granville in August after police responded to reports of shots being fired on Banana Street at 4:35pm.
Upon arrival, a man remained inside the house and refused to engage with police.
Due to concerns he was armed, police drew their weapons but holstered them once it was deemed safe.
A Public Safety Preservation Act was declared at 5:29pm and revoked at 6:35pm.
The man eventually surrendered to a police negotiator and was arrested without incident.
A 60-year-old Granville man has been charged with multiple offences, including possessing restricted weapons and unlawful possession of firearms.
Australia’s biggest alleged cocaine bust
Several key figures, have been charged with attempting to smuggle $760 million worth of cocaine into Queensland.
The men were arrested after a joint operation by the Australian Federal Police and Queensland Police, tracking a recreational vessel, True Grit, which allegedly sourced the drugs from a “mother ship” in international waters.
The accused face charges of conspiracy to import a commercial quantity of drugs.
Among the arrested individuals are Andrew John Bamforth, a man alleged to have purchased an inflatable boat involved in the operation, and Comanchero vice president Ryan Sean Givney, whose bail application was denied. The men were mentioned in court in December 2024, with their next hearing set for February 7, 2025, in Brisbane.
Key individuals in this case include David John Pfeffer, Mark Frederick Sutton, and brothers Nukutawhiti Tenika Matika and Zaquias Jack Matika, who are also facing serious drug importation charges.
Kristen Olsen
Kristen Leslie Olsen, 25, appeared in Maryborough Magistrates Court, facing charges of murder for the deaths of Biggenden baker Todd Mooney and his 10-year-old daughter Kirra.
She is also charged with setting fire to a shed on their Fenwicks Rd property on December 20, 2022.
Olsen’s case was adjourned.
She has not entered any pleas.
Declan Burton
Declan Jamie Thomas Burton, a 21-year-old Tinana farmer, is facing charges following the death of James Andrew Curtis after a pub altercation.
Police allege that on November 24, 2023, outside the Lamington Hotel in Maryborough, Burton punched Curtis in the head during an argument, causing Curtis to fall and hit his head on the pavement.
Initially charged with grievous bodily harm, Burton’s charge was upgraded to unlawful striking causing death after Curtis died in hospital on December 7, 2023.
Burton, who was released on bail, did not enter a plea and was not present during the court mention.
The case was adjourned to January 14, 2025, for further proceedings.
Joshua Berrigan
Joshua Trevor Berrigan, 24, is facing a charge of unlawful striking causing death following an alleged attack on the Fraser Coast in August 2023, that resulted in the death of Nathan Isaac McPherson, 43, the following day.
Mr McPherson died in the Royal Brisbane Hospital on Sunday, August 20, after he was involved in an altercation near the intersection of Kent and Richmond Streets in Maryborough about 2.30am on Saturday, August 19.
He was originally taken to Hervey Bay Hospital before being transported to Brisbane with life-threatening injuries.
His case was adjourned.
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