James Scott Church trial over alleged murder of Leisl Smith begins

A court has heard new details in the almost decade-old disappearance of Leisl Smith whose alleged murder stunned the Central Coast.

The body of a young woman who was last seen at a Central Coast railway station was secretly disposed of by the alleged murderer’s brother, a court has heard.

The NSW Supreme Court has heard the stunning new details in the almost decade-old disappearance of Leisl Smith whose alleged murder stunned the Central Coast in 2012.

James Scott Church, 51, who Ms Smith had claimed was the father of her unborn baby, pleaded not guilty to murdering the young woman and will fight the allegation over the next few weeks in a judge-alone trial before Justice Elizabeth Fullerton.

Leisl Smith, 23, loved animals, especially horses.

She disappeared at the young age of 23.

On Monday, the court heard of a late statement given to police on August 27, 2020 - eight years after Ms Smith’s disappearance - by a woman who alleged to have been told information that involved Mr Church’s brother, Adam Church.

Justice Fullerton told the court the woman claimed to have been told by a person that Adam said he “disposed of the body of Ms Smith” and that it would “not be found”.

The court heard the woman claimed in her statement that she was told Adam also said his brother James was “innocent”.

James Scott Church leaving Wyong Local Court at an earlier date. Picture: Richard Noone

“Assuming those things were said...it’s pretty grave revelations,” Justice Fullerton said.

Adam Church has not been charged and we are not suggesting he was involved in the disappearance of Ms Smith.

Justice Fullerton asked for clarity at the next hearing on whether the statement’s “concerning content” had been “fully investigated”.

The court heard how police had hit a number of hurdles investigating the case, including the resignation of an officer in charge of the matter.

Police divers searched for evidence at a Kangy Angy property on the Central Coast.

Justice Fullerton criticised the slow moving investigation which had been before the courts for two years.

“There appears to be a number of swinging gates at this time. It is reaching a point where I have grave concerns of the appropriate attention of police preparing the matter. Of a case worthy of consideration and a case verdict of guilt,” she told the court.

She asked the prosecution to tell investigators to prioritise the case.

The trial will recommence on Tuesday next week.

Ms Smith was last seen seen getting into a ute at Tuggerah railway station after parking her Honda Accord on the afternoon of August 19, 2012.

Her body has never been found.

Her family continues to post tributes to a social media page, Find Leisl Smith, in the hope someone will come forward with information.