Lani Hilder’s arson, attempted fraud co-accused named in Rockhampton court
The case of a young mother who is accused of deliberately torching a house she purchased at an unpaid rates auction has taken a surprise turn.
Police & Courts
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Three witnesses will be cross-examined at a committal hearing for a young mother who is accused of deliberately torching a house she had purchased at an unpaid rates auction.
Lani Hilder was charged with one count of arson in relation to the fire, which destroyed the house and Aboriginal artworks at 252 Grubb St in Koongal on August 6 in 2022.
Her lawyer, Mark Williams, advised the Rockhampton Magistrates Court that negotiations with police prosecutions about cross examination of witnesses at a committal hearing had been successful.
Mr Williams said there would been three witnesses cross examined, including the arresting officer and an expert, which would take half a day.
Ms Hilder’s committal hearing was set for July 29 in Rockhampton Magistrates Court.
It was revealed in Rockhampton District Court that Ms Hilder has a co-accused – Mackay man Clyde Kayser Shepheard.
The court heard Mr Shepheard will be contesting his arson and fraud charges and his matters were adjourned to June 3.
A fire was reported to emergency services at the home on Saturday, August 6 about 7.20pm.
Ms Hilder purchased the property at an unpaid rates auction held by Rockhampton Regional Council in March, 2022.
Both Ms Hilder and Mr Shepheard are also charged with one count of attempted fraud over $100,000.
Police allege Ms Hilder “deliberately lit a fire” at the residence.
At time of the fire, neighbours told The Morning Bulletin the house became engulfed very quickly and they had to protect their homes from also going up in flames.
There were piles of burnt rubble on the ground the next day, with the roof partially collapsed and the structure barely standing.
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