Missing woman’s partner in court on assault charges

The boyfriend of missing Brunswick woman Maryam Hamka has fronted court over allegations he assaulted his partner in the weeks before she vanished.

Missing Brunswick woman Maryam Hamka was last seen on April 10. Picture: Supplied

The boyfriend of a Melbourne woman missing for almost two months will remain behind bars until October as he faces allegations of assault.

Maryam Hamka was last seen leaving a supermarket in Brunswick on April 10 at 5.30pm.

The 36-year-old’s phone, social media and bank accounts have not been used since.

Ms Hamka’s partner Toby Loughnane, 41, appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday over an alleged assault of Ms Hamka between December 1 and April 15 — five days after she was reported last seen.

Mr Loughnane is also accused of two counts of recklessly causing injury and committing an indictable offence while on bail for the same time period.

Defence lawyer Sam Norton told the court his client would be pleading guilty to separate driving offences but the charges in relation to Ms Hamka had not resolved.

The matter will return to court in October for a contested mention with prosecutors likely to use the time to obtain further evidence, the court heard.

Mr Loughnane, of Brighton, has been behind bars since his arrest on April 17 — a week after Ms Hamka was last seen leaving an Albert St Woolworths.

Mr Loughnane has not charged been charged over her disappearance.

“The concern we have is that Mr Loughnane is currently in custody and we want to have this matter dealt with as quickly as possible,” Mr Norton said.

Mr Loughnane will return to court on October 5.