Robert Karl Huber faces Ballina court charged with domestic violence murder of Ballina partner Lindy Lucena

The man charged with murdering Ballina partner Lindy Lucena in gruesome circumstances was freed from custody shortly beforehand, police allege.

The couple before the alleged murder.

The man charged with murdering his partner Lindy ‘Kimmy’ Lucena in Ballina was arrested in December for punching her in the face and repeatedly contravening an AVO, police allege.

It’s alleged in court documents Robert Karl Huber, 66, was freed from police custody before the murder, despite the assault and a lengthy criminal history.

Ms Lucena’s body was discovered by Ballina police on Holden Lane, near Cherry St, early last Wednesday, January 4.

Police allege Huber went into Ballina Police Station to speak to officers and they subsequently found Ms Lucena, 64, dead in a laneway.

Defence lawyer Tenika Vakuata represented Huber at Ballina Local Court. Picture: Savannah Pocock

Huber’s case was mentioned in Ballina Local Court on Thursday.

He also faces charges separate to the murder of assault occasioning actual bodily harm (DV), trespassing and two counts of common assault.

No pleas were entered to any of the charges.

Defence lawyer Tenika Vakuata represented Huber, but he did not appear, either over videolink or in person.

It’s stated in court documents the couple were flood victims and became a couple in 2018. They were living in Reflections Caravan Park at the time of the alleged murder.

Huber worked as Lucena’s carer and was also a cleaner at the Ramada Hotel in Ballina.

Lindy Lucena.

Police allege Huber had park security called on him after he beat Ms Lucena in their caravan on December 26 last year.

It’s also alleged Huber’s intoxication was a problem and that an AVO was taken out against him for Lucena’s protection, which he then contravened on January 3, breaching bail.

Police state Huber was released from custody to then face court on January 5 – a day after Ms Lucena would allegedly be slain by Huber.

It’s also alleged by police a call was made to triple-0 on January 3 about a man beating a woman at the rear of the Salvation Army building, around where Ms Lucena’s body was found. Officers did not report finding any people on arrival.

It’s alleged the accused then entered the police station about 12.30am and reported Ms Lucena dead.

Robert Karl Huber and Lindy Lucena.

She was found half naked and bloodied with heavy bruising on her face, hands and arms.

Magistrate Karen Stafford told the court: “Incorrect reporting has been circulating on social media in relation to Huber’s murder allegation regarding bail.”

It came after a post on the Ballina Community Notice Board accused court staff of neglectfully granting Huber’s bail.

“I want to stress to people that a registrar did not grant bail relating to his murder allegations,” she said.

“A registrar granted bail in something completely different.

“Adverse comments about people who work in the criminal justice system are inappropriate.

“People, check your facts please.”

Ms Stafford adjourned the case to February 9.