Accused murderer Nigel John Gilliland could be flown to Rockhampton for sentencing over wife Karen’s stabbing death

Southeast Queensland’s Covid lockdown could impact the logistics of delivering Nigel John Gilliland to Rockhampton at the end of the month when he’s due to be sentenced for his former wife’s stabbing death.

Southeast Queensland’s Covid lockdown could impact the logistics of delivering Nigel John Gilliland to Rockhampton at the end of the month when he’s due to be sentenced for his former wife’s stabbing.

Mr Gilliland was 45 years old when he allegedly murdered his former wife, Karen Gilliland, at her Brae Street, Rockhampton, home on June 23, 2020.

Police allege he stabbed her in the neck and abdomen multiple times before fleeing.

The incident occurred just after 6pm at an address in The Range.

Mr Gilliland was taken to Rockhampton Hospital after his arrest where he underwent surgery for suspected self-inflicted injuries.

Nigel Gilliland allegedly stabbed ex partner, Karen Gilliland, a 42-year-old nurse was and mother of three children, a victim of domestic violence attack – Photo Supplied Facebook

Gilliland’s lawyers indicated to the court this week he would plead guilty to the charges of murder and enter dwelling with intent to commit an indictable offence.

His barrister, Catherine Morgan, made an application to the Supreme Court in Rockhampton for his sentence to take place via video link due to the logistics and cost of transporting Mr Gilliland to Rockhampton “for a couple of hours” before returning him to Woodford Correctional Centre where he is incarcerated.

Crown prosecutor Joshua Phillips, on August 6, said the sentence “ought to be in person”, however, due to the “changing nature” of the lockdown situation, if there were no other options, he would concede to the video link as it was desirable to have this matter finalised.

Ms Morgan said she spoke with the general manager of Woodford who advised that with all Queensland prisons now on Stage 3 lockdown, they would not be able to transport a prisoner from one Local Government Area to another.

Ms Morgan then proposed the sentence could be adjourned until there was a certainty of transport.

Justice Graeme Crow inquired about the aircraft which transported prisoners in Queensland, about how often it landed in Rockhampton.

The court heard it landed in Rockhampton Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

“If he was brought up, he would be flown up on Wednesday or Friday before the sentence,” Justice Crow said.

He adjourned the application for the sentence to be carried out by video link until August 24 when solid transport advice could be provided to the court.