Matthew Owen Woodcock charged with aggravated dangerous driving over Suzanne Scott’s death

A man charged over the death of a Finch Hatton woman has fronted court for the first time over the Pioneer Valley tragedy.

Matthew Owen Woodcock (left) is charged with dangerous driving causing the death of Finch Hatton woman Suzanne Scott on July 4, 2022.

A man charged over the death of Finch Hatton woman Suzanne Scott has appeared in court for the first time in relation to the Pioneer Valley tragedy.

Police alleged Matthew Owen Woodcock had been trying to steal Ms Scott’s car when the incident occurred on July 4, 2022.

It is further alleged the 69 year old was struck as her car was leaving her property.

Ms Scott, 69, died following an incident at her Boulder St home in the late afternoon on July 4, 2022.

Suzanne Scott died following an incident at her Finch Hatton Gorge home in July 2022.

Following a protracted police investigation Mr Woodcock, 37, was charged with dangerous driving causing her death.

It is alleged her body was then driven from her home to a Zahmel St address about 6pm where she was pronounced dead.

The property on Zahmel St, Finch Hatton, outside which 69-year-old Suzanne Ruth Scott was found dead in the back seat of her Mitsubish Pajero police believe was stolen after 12.30pm on Monday, July 4, 2022. Police are treating the 69-year-old woman's death as suspicious, with a homicide investigation under way after a series of events that started at a nearby property on Boulder Rd with a wilful damage report about 12.30pm Monday, July 4, 2022, before Ms Scott's Mitsubishi Pajero was allegedly stolen. She was later driven to a Zahmel St property her best friend owned where she was pronounced dead about 5.30pm. Picture: Janessa Ekert

Ms Scott and Mr Woodcock are unknown to each other.

It is understood he had been staying nearby at the time the alleged offence occurred.

Matthew Owen Woodcock is charged with dangerous driving causing death.

Mr Woodcock is also charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle and enter premises and commit offence over the incident.

If convicted of dangerous driving causing death Mr Woodcock could face up to 10 years’ imprisonment.

He appeared in Mackay Magistrates Court on Wednesday via videolink from custody.

Legal Aid Queensland solicitor Rosie Varley, who acted as a friend of the court, said an application had been made for legal aid and she anticipated it would be accepted.

There was no application for bail on this occasion and the matter was adjourned to later this year.