Ian Pullen death: Lilli-Jane Kaye Sales charged as accessory in alleged murder of NZ firefighter
A 21-year-old woman has been arrested and charged over the death of New Zealand firefighter pilot Ian Pullen in the Hunter.
Newcastle
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A woman who is 29 weeks pregnant has denied covering up the alleged murder of New Zealand firefighter Ian Pullen.
Lilli-Jane Kaye Sales was granted bail in Muswellbrook Local Court on Monday, after being charged with accessory after the fact to murder.
Police alleged Ms Sales sat in the car while two friends allegedly murdered Mr Pullen in 2018, then helped them hide the vehicle.
Strike Force Awabakil charged Joshua Knight, 29, and Nicole Mason, 30, in October over Mr Pullen’s death.
Police said the 43-year-old father was hit by a car as he walked along a Singleton St before dawn on September 29.
They alleged he lay critically wounded on the road before the vehicle returned and Mr Knight and Ms Mason bashed him over the head to kill him.
Lawyer Mark Diggins told the court Ms Sales intended to plead not guilty to the charge.
“(The allegations) are completely denied,” Mr Diggins said.
“She wasn’t in the car ever on that night.
“She’s only been in the car on two prior occasions, only in the back seat.”
Mr Diggins said the 21-year-old was of good character and had not offended since the alleged incident.
“There’s nothing else in that two years, interfering with anyone else or any witnesses,” he said.
“It appears a lot of information was from unreliable witnesses.”
The police prosecutor said Ms Sales’s alleged actions “went beyond” hiding evidence.
“There was verbally coercing others not to take certain action,” he said.
Ms Sales must abide by a 9pm-8am curfew and not make contact with any witnesses to the alleged crime as part of her bail conditions.
She’ll return to court on January 28.
Neither Knight nor Mason has indicated a plea.
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