Jenny Hayes: Sex worker accused of starting fire that killed young family
The woman accused of starting a fire that killed a couple and their three-week-old baby will wait another two months to face court for one reason.
A sex worker accused of setting fire to a Point Cook townhouse that killed a young family will wait another two months to face court again while lawyers negotiate her fate.
The matter of Jenny Hayes, 46, of Fawkner, appeared briefly in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Monday.
Defence lawyer Cynthia Lynch and prosecutor Honorah Edwards asked for an adjournment of four weeks while negotiations between both sides took place.
The case was adjourned to April 26, the next available date in the court system.
Inderpal Singh, 28, Abigail Forrest, 19, and their baby Ivy Forrest all died in the horrific fire on December 2 at their Point Cook townhouse.
Ivy, the couple’s only child, was three weeks old when she died in the fire.
Ms Hayes is facing six charges: three of murder and three of causing death by arson.
She has not yet said whether she intends to plead guilty or not guilty.
Neighbouring properties were damaged in the fire, but only the family’s townhouse was destroyed.
Police said after their investigations began that Ms Hayes did not know any of the deceased.
Abbey’s sister Emily Forrest gave an emotional tribute to her younger sibling after the tragedy, saying she had the “biggest, boldest personality”.
“She was an amazing mum; she just took to it like a duck to water. I’m so incredibly proud of her,” Emily said.
“She was absolutely smitten. She was so over the moon to become a mum and she did so well.”
Emily said her sister’s partner Indi was a “very loving man” who adored Abbey and their daughter.
Heroic neighbours desperately tried to break an upstairs window with an axe to free the young family, but they were forced back by the ferocity of the blaze, which destroyed the house in a matter of minutes.