Blood allegedly found inside home of missing woman’sex-boyfriend

Shocking items were found in the search for a Melbourne woman as her boyfriend, accused of assaults against her, tried to get bail.

Police search for missing Brunswick woman Maryam Hamka. Supplied Victoria Police

Blood and a mobile phone were allegedly found inside the Bayside apartment of missing woman Maryam Hamka’s former boyfriend the day after she was reported missing, a court has heard.

Toby Loughnane, 41, was on Thursday refused bail over an alleged assault on Ms Hamka in July 2020 during which he allegedly beat her with a glass bottle and forced socks into her mouth.

Ms Hamka, 36, was last seen leaving a supermarket in Brunswick on April 10 this year and has not used her phone, bank account or social media since.

Distraught family members reported her missing on April 15 and Mr Loughnane was charged with four offences, including assault and recklessly cause injury, the following day.

A search warrant at Mr Loughnane’s Brighton home allegedly uncovered a “large portion of what appeared to be blood stained carpet” which is still undergoing forensic analysis, a summary released by the court stated.

The court also heard a mobile phone believed to belong to Ms Hamka was located during the search.

Toby Loughnane is facing assualt charges.

Police allege Mr Loughnane and Ms Hamka had been in an intimate relationship for eight months when he allegedly assaulted her and trapped her at his Brighton home on July 8 last year.

The Melbourne Magistrates’ Court heard the Brunswick woman’s mother and sister had seen Ms Hamka with two black eyes, bruising and a burst blood vessel in her right eye earlier that day and had warned her that Mr Loughnane was looking for her.

At 6am on July 9, CCTV footage allegedly captured Ms Hamka running from Mr Loughnane’s apartment to a nearby supermarket loading dock.

Senior Constable Callan Turner told the court Ms Hamka was crying and had blood dripping from her nose when she told a Coles worker her boyfriend had assaulted her and believed he “was going to kill her”.

Ms Hamka was taken to hospital and photographs were taken of her battered face and injuries, the court heard.

Snr-Con Turner said Ms Hamka told hospital staff her boyfriend had assaulted her but did not name Mr Loughnane or make a police statement.

Police believe there are many unreported incidents of alleged violence between the pair, Snr-Con Turner said.

Maryam Hamka has not been seen since April.

The court heard Ms Hamka’s mother told police her daughter had described Mr Loughnane allegedly placing a garbage bag over her head while punching her on one occasion.

And while visiting a friend in Brunswick, Mr Loughnane allegedly chased Ms Hamka into a bathroom and was seen “holding a serrated knife in his hand”, Snr-Con Turner said.

Mr Loughane has not been charged in relation to Ms Hamka’s disappearance but police believe he “has something to do with it”, Snr-Con Turner said in opposing bail.

“He’s not shown any remorse or assisted police whatsoever in attempting to locate her,” he said.

Snr-Con Turner said Ms Hamka’s family were also “extremely terrified” of Mr Loughnane and fearful of retribution.

Defence lawyer Sam Norton, said Mr Loughnane’s case faced long delays and highlighted the fact Ms Hamka had never made any formal statements to police about his client.

During the virtual hearing, a woman could be seen mouthing the words “piece of s—-“ on camera and holding up newspaper articles about Ms Hamka’s disappearance, including one titled: Where is she now?

In denying bail, Magistrate Fran Medina said she was not satisfied she could ameliorate the risk of further alleged offending by the accused.

Mr Loughnane did not speak throughout the hearing and will return to court for a contest mention on October 5.

PLEA OVER MISSING MARYAM

The brother of Ms Hamka wants police to have greater powers to protect “terrified” victims of abusive relationships.

As the investigation approaches a grim three-month milestone, Ms Hamka’s body is yet to be found.

“We have come to terms with the fact we will never see her again,” brother Ayman Hamka said.

“We just want to know where she is so we can say goodbye.”

This week police appealed for anyone with information about a red 2015 Mazda hatchback with distinctive damage to its front left guard to come forward.

In their desperate pursuit for answers, the family has put up posters in Loughnane’s street, pleading for anyone with information to contact them.

“Police need more power to be able to protect women like my sister,’’ Mr Hamka said.

The investigation continues.