Jayme ‘Chugs’ Sykes murder: Prosecution seeks extension in compiling evidence brief

Security camera footage from at least 10 locations will form part of the case against the man who allegedly murdered Jayme ‘Chugs’ Sykes in Geelong’s CBD earlier this year.

Corio man 20-year-old Jayme “Chugs” Sykes was killed on Little Malop St on October 27.

Security camera footage from at least 10 locations will be central to the case against the man who allegedly murdered Jayme “Chugs” Sykes in Geelong’s CBD.

The Corio barber was stabbed on Little Malop St in the early hours of October 27, with the 20-year-old taken to hospital, where he later died.

Following his death, Colac’s James Farquhar was charged with murder.

The 26-year-old, who is in custody, didn’t appear in Geelong Magistrates’ Court on Thursday for a brief hearing in which the prosecution asked for more time to compile the hand-up brief.

The brief outlines evidence the prosecution propose to rely on in prosecuting an accused individual.

At a filing hearing on October 28, dates for the provision of brief to the defence and a committal mention hearing were set at December 23 and February 11 respectively.

The court heard the police informant in the case, Detective Senior Constable Alexander Urano, had asked for a six-week extension in a sworn affidavit, however the court heard four weeks would be sufficient.

Simon Northeast, for Mr Farquhar, said he didn’t oppose an extension, with the caveat that the prosecution still provide all relevant CCTV footage by December 23.

Constable Urano, who has been “clipping” the relevant parts of the CCTV footage police have collected as part of their investigation, told the court there was no issue in providing the footage by that date.

Constable Urano said the CCTV footage covered 10 locations and he had “already clipped most of the footage”.

Clipping, the court heard, involves removing irrelevant footage and taking footage that shows the “movement of the parties”.

Constable Urano said he was also happy to provide the raw files to the defence, if required.

Magistrate Ann McGarvie granted the prosecution’s application.

The prosecution must provide Mr Northeast with the hand-up brief by January 20 and Mr Farquhar will reappear in court for a committal mention on February 25.

Mr Sykes was farewelled at an emotional service on November 9, with more than 500 mourners in attendance.

Originally published as Jayme ‘Chugs’ Sykes murder: Prosecution seeks extension in compiling evidence brief