Maryam Hamka’s family face off with her alleged killer Toby Loughnane in court
The family of slain Maryam Hamka have faced off with her alleged killer in court, calling on him to reveal where her body is.
Police & Courts
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The family of slain Maryam Hamka have faced off with her alleged killer in court, calling on him to reveal where her body is.
Toby Loughnane, 41, is charged with murdering Ms Hamka, 36, at his Brighton house on April 11.
His friend, Oscar Newman, 26, has been charged with assisting an offender after police allege he attended the house with a steam carpet cleaner and petrol tin to help cover up the killing.
Ms Hamka’s remains have never been found.
As the two accused faced a virtual hearing in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday, Ms Hamka’s grieving sister Amel Hamka begged them for answers.
“Everybody knows you are guilty,” she said, logging into the hearing remotely.
“Just tell us where she is. It’s almost her birthday.
“You know where she is Oscar.”
Magistrate Peter Reardon interjected and politely asked the family to keep their commentary to outside the courtroom.
An earlier court heard how Mr Loughnane enlisted Mr Newman to help clean up the murder scene because he owed him a debt.
CCTV allegedly captured Mr Newman attending at the house nine times in the six days following when police suspect Ms Hamka was murdered.
Blood later identified as being Ms Hamka’s was also allegedly found in a red Mazda sedan that was leased by Mr Newman and was seen coming and going from the property.
Police suspect Ms Hamka’s body was removed from the property in the early hours of April 13, but have not been able to uncover it.
They believe both Mr Loughnane and Mr Newman could lead them to her whereabouts.
Outside court, Ms Hamka’s brother Hassan said it was hard not being able to give his sister the burial and send off she deserved.
“Her birthday is on the 19th December — she would have been 37,” he said.
“She still had her whole life to live.
“We just want to know where Maryam is so we can put her to rest. She should be with her family not out there all alone.”
The last time Ms Hamka was seen by her family was getting into Mr Loughnane’s car as he picked her up from her Brunswick home on April 10.
They reported her missing to police five days later.
Some family members are expected to testify at a three-day committal hearing in May, when a magistrate will determine if there is sufficient evidence for Mr Loughnane and Mr Newman to stand trial in the Supreme Court.
Mr Loughnane remains in custody, while Mr Newman is on bail.
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