Robert Karl Huber to fight Ballina lane murder charge in NSW Supreme Court trial after Lindy Lucena found dead

A North Coast hotel worker charged with brutally bashing his partner to death after her body was found in a lane is now staring down a jury trial. Here’s the latest.

Robert Karl Huber is charged with murdering Lindy ‘Kimmy’ Lucena.

A North Coast hotel worker charged with brutally murdering his partner after her battered body was found in a Ballina laneway more than a year ago will now fight the allegations.

Robert Karl Huber faced Magistrate Michael Dakin over videolink in Lismore Local Court on Wednesday. He has been remanded in custody.

Lindy Lucena was known as ‘Kimmy’ to fellow caravan park residents.

The 67-year-old intends to fight charges including murdering Lindy ‘Kimmy’ Lucena, as well as manslaughter, breaching an apprehended violence order (AVO), assault occasioning actual bodily harm, two counts of common assault, and entering enclosed land without a lawful excuse.

Lindy Lucena has been described by friends as a lovely woman with a “heart of gold”.

Mr Dakin formally committed Huber to trial in the NSW Supreme Court. He has not entered pleas.

The local court has been told there was a triple-0 call to police by a person reporting a woman being bashed out the back of the Salvation Army building.

Ballina police found Ms Lucena’s body – which had suffered horrendous injuries – on Holden Lane, near Cherry St in Ballina CBD, early on January 4, last year.

Holden Lane, Ballina.

It’s alleged by the prosecution Huber breached the AVO by repeatedly punching Ms Lucena in the face days before her death.

The pair lived at Reflections Caravan Park after they were impacted by the 2022 floods.

Huber worked at the Ramada Hotel, Ballina and acted as Ms Lucena’s carer after the pair began seeing each other in 2018.

Huber is scheduled for arraignment in the NSW Supreme Court on October 4.