Rard Malcolm Thomas: A 25-year-old man is on trial for allegedly killing stepdad Darren Bennett

A 25-year-old former military cop is on trial for allegedly killing his stepfather. Here’s the latest.

A 25-year-old former military policeman who is accused of killing his stepfather has pleaded not guilt, with claims he was “acting in self-defence”, a court has heard.

Rard Malcolm Thomas, of Gunnedah, has pleaded not guilty to charges of manslaughter, assault occasioning death and assault causing death by a person 18 years or more before Dubbo District Court.

Thomas’s barrister Ben Cochrane told the jury in his opening address it is not in dispute that his client punched his mother’s husband Darren Bennett, 53, but stated it was an act of self-defence.

Mr Cochrane told the court Thomas was aware of a domestic violence history between his mother Marie and her late husband.

Emergency services were called to a home on Nandi St, Coonabarabran, about 7pm on May 12, 2021, after reports a man was found injured.

Rard Malcolm Thomas has been charged with manslaughter over an alleged fatal assault in Coonabarabran.

Mr Bennett was taken to Coonabarabran Hospital and later flown to St George Hospital where he died.

Mr Cochrane said people were gathered at the Coonabarabran residence for an “emotionally charged” wake fuelled with “intoxication”, following the death of a family member.

Rard Malcolm Thomas has been charged with manslaughter over an alleged fatal assault in Coonabarabran.

The court heard witness evidence from Thomas’s cousin Corey Watt who told the court that prior to the incident with Thomas out the front of the home, Mr Bennett “took a swing” at Thomas’s brother Joshua Watt.

Mr Watt said he interfered to ensure his cousin Joshua was “in calm state” before seeing Mr Bennett on the ground.

A short time later, he told the court he heard screaming from the front of the house and saw Mr Bennett on the ground again with “blood on his lip”.

The trial continues before Judge Karen Robinson.