Robert Rickerby pleads not guilty to murder of girlfriend Jessica Geddes

Young mum Jessica Geddes, who was allegedly murdered by her boyfriend, was found dead with 16 rib fractures inside an Endeavour Hills home.

Jessica Geddes died on November 6, 2020 in Endeavour Hills.

Lengthy court documents have been released for the first time revealing the horrifying injuries a young mum allegedly sustained before her boyfriend was charged with her murder in Melbourne’s southeast.

Jessica Geddes was 27 years old when her body was discovered inside a Haverstock Hill Close property in Endeavour Hills about 7pm on November 6, 2020.

Ms Geddes partner, Robert Rickerby, 28, pleaded not guilty at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Monday after he was charged with her murder on April 5 this year.

Mr Rickerby chose to fast-track his case to the Supreme Court under rules to prevent further delays to the justice system.

Court documents released to the Herald Sun on Tuesday reveal Mr Rickerby and Ms Geddes were allegedly involved in a confrontation at a 7-Eleven store in Endeavour Hills, hours before she died.

Ms Geddes allegedly appeared “distressed” and in a “fearful state”, telling witnesses she was scared.

Mr Rickerby and Ms Geddes allegedly left the store together and went home.

Jessica Geddes’ mum says her daughter was loved and cherished.

Saasha and Arianna, Jessica’s daughter, saying goodbye at her funeral.

Hours later Ms Geddes’ dead body was allegedly found by Mr Rickerby in a bedroom, naked from the waist down.

Ms Geddes allegedly had visible injuries to her face including bruising to both eyes, chin, lips and right hand.

Police allege the property was in a “state of total disrepair with mounds of discarded rubbish throughout the house”.

Police allege that multiple blood stains were located on the surfaces of the bedroom, hallway, laundry and bathroom.

A post-mortem examination showed that Ms Geddes had multiple skeletal injuries including 16 rib fractures, four fractures in the right hand, six fractures in the left hand and three fractures in the right foot.

The examination also alleges that the “extensive blunt force injuries occurred over days, weeks and months and possibly years” and was “not that of self-inflicted injuries”.

Police believe the accused was the only person who had contact with Ms Geddes after leaving 7-Eleven and was the only person who had the “ongoing opportunity to cause historic injuries” to her that ultimately led to her death.

Ms Geddes was also the victim of domestic violence allegedly inflicted by Mr Rickerby on multiple occasions in 2019 and 2020.

On one occasion, Ms Geddes allegedly disclosed to police she was punched multiple times and struck on the head with a hammer by Mr Rickerby after an argument over cigarettes.

Court documents also revealed that Ms Geddes texted her father on May 10, 2020 and said “Do you realise how much I get bashed?” and “Hey Dad, are you awake, I just might’ve found out that my bf (sic) is cheating on me constantly and I literally am probably going to get murdered now just for talking to you”.

Ms Geddes met Mr Rickerby in 2017 and moved from Queensland to Victoria with him, leaving behind her now eight-year-old daughter, Arianna.

Ms Geddes’ mum, Saasha Brimble, previously told the Herald Sun that she was relieved that charges had been laid.

“This is just the start,” she said.

“But I’m glad acknowledgment has been made after so long.

Mr Rickerby didn’t apply for bail and will appear for a directions hearing in the Supreme Court on August 8.