John Torney allegedly told mum he punched Emma Bates “three times” for sleeping with his brother
The mother of a man charged over a Cobram woman’s death has tearfully revealed her son’s alleged confession about attacking his diabetic neighbour before her death.
The accused killer of Cobram woman Emma Bates, 49, allegedly told his mum he had punched his former neighbour “three times in the forehead” after she confessed to sleeping with his brother.
John Torney, 40, also allegedly told his mother that Ms Bates was “asleep and not waking up” before police discovered her body in her Cobram home, north of Melbourne on the NSW-Victoria border.
Mr Torney is facing multiple charges including unlawful assault, failing to seek medical attention that placed a person in danger of death and negligent manslaughter over the death of Ms Bates in April 2024.
The alleged conversations he had with his mother Belinda Torney in the lead up to Ms Bates body being found by police were on Monday examined as a four day committal hearing began.
The Melbourne Magistrates Court hearing will determine if there is enough evidence for Mr Torney to stand trial.
Ms Torney told the court Mr Torney appeared to be living with Ms Bates, having moved in about two weeks prior to her death.
She said Ms Bates told her in late 2023 she was “obsessed” with Mr Torney and the pair later became intimate.
Ms Torney said she assumed they were a couple.
The court heard both Ms Torney and Ms Bates were diabetic and often discussed their condition.
However, she didn’t know if Ms Bates had told Mr Torney she was diabetic or what her condition involved.
Ms Torney said when her son allegedly told her he couldn’t rouse Ms Bates she feared it was because the type 1 diabetic’s blood sugar was low.
She suggested he called an ambulance.
“He said he would go home and tidy up and if she hadn’t woken, call an ambulance,” Ms Torney said.
The court heard she then asked police to conduct a welfare check on Ms Bates.
During the same conversation Mr Torney allegedly revealed to his mother that he had punched Ms Bates “three times in the forehead”.
“He said to me that he punched her...because she told him she’d slept with (his brother) Craig,” Ms Torney said.
“I told him it wasn’t true.”
She told the court Mr Torney had not detailed when he had allegedly punched Ms Bates.
The court also heard claims Mr Bates had refused medical treatment for her diabetes in the past.
A teary Ms Torney was reluctant to give evidence, telling the court she feared the stress of reliving the events leading up to Ms Bates’ death would trigger a nervous breakdown.
She argued it would also prevent her from having a relationship with her son in future.
However, the court insisted her evidence was “extrenely important” and could not be provided by any other witness.
Mr Torney’s brother Craig Cheille, is expected to give evidence when the committal continues on Tuesday.
