Co-accused in Taree court after Tuncurry stabbing hospital drop off death of Colin Glass

“If only the public knew”: A magistrate has slammed delays in the case of five people charged in relation to the alleged murder of a Taree man dropped at hospital suffering fatal wounds.

A block of units at Heath Ave in Tuncurry were cordoned off as police investigated on Monday, April 24. Picture: Janine Watson

A magistrate has slammed delays in the case of five people charged in relation to the stabbing death of Colin Glass, who was dropped at a Taree hospital with fatal stab wounds in April.

When their matters came before Magistrate Allison Hawkins at Taree local court on Monday she questioned the need to wait for the post mortem report.

“I think everyone knows what happened to Mr Glass,” she said.

“This is not a matter where the cause of death is going to be a surprise to anyone.”

The court also heard a blood splatter report was yet to be completed and it was vital to determine where various parties were at the time of the alleged murder, and to inform any argument of self defence as the case progresses.

NSW Police said Colin Glass was dropped at Taree hospital by a family member.

Matthew Ronald Bennis has been charged with the murder of Colin Glass, who was left at Manning Base Hospital on the morning of April 23 suffering wounds allegedly inflicted at a block of flats in Tuncurry.

Glass, who was 38 at the time, died before he made it inside the emergency ward.

Four other people – all women – have been charged in relation to Mr Glass’s death, including 25-year-old Kaia Lynn Ridgeway.

She was arrested about the same time as Bennis and charged with concealing a serious indictable offence.

As investigations continued 50-year-old Sheree Cross was arrested and charged with being an accessory after the fact to murder and accessory after the fact to malicious wounding.

Jodie Mackenzie, also 50, has been charged with being an accessory after fact to murder and wounding a person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Police focused their attention on a block of flat on Heath Ave, Tuncurry. Picture: Janine Watson

Taree emergency department entrance on High Street, where Mr Glass was dropped off.

The latest to be arrested was Lauren Kaye Brown, who has been charged with concealing a serious indictable offence.

In court, Ms Hawkins demanded an update on the post mortem and blood splatter reports before she would set a date to adjourn the matter.

“If only the public knew what was going on in this place,” she said.

Later, police prosecutor Cherie Harmer returned to tell Ms Hawkins “it will be months, not days, before those reports are received”.

Ms Hawkins adjourned to October 9.

Originally published as Co-accused in Taree court after Tuncurry stabbing hospital drop off death of Colin Glass