Josh Torney fronts court on assault charges after Cobram woman Emma Bates’ death
John Torney gave the middle finger to the media as he appeared in court over assault charges days after Emma Bates was found dead in her home.
A man charged with a string of assaults following the death of Victorian woman Emma Bates is also facing a separate charge relating to fire.
John Clifford Torney, 39, gave the middle finger to the media as he fronted the Shepparton Magistrates Court on Friday.
He sat in the dock flanked by security guards and wore a green jumper for his court appearance.
Ms Bates, 49, was found dead on the floor of her Cobram home near the Victoria-NSW border, on Tuesday afternoon.
Police arrested Mr Torney on Tuesday evening “as part of the investigation into an incident where a woman was located deceased”.
Mr Torney is charged with 13 offences, including intentionally causing injury and unlawful assault against Ms Bates between last Friday and Wednesday.
While determining Mr Torney’s next appearance before him, magistrate Peter Dunn noted the accused had another court date scheduled in the system.
The Australian understands the matter, which will be heard before Cobram Magistrates Court in June, relates to a fire charge.
A post-mortem for Ms Bates has been conducted, however the cause of death has not yet determined.
Detectives are currently awaiting further testing as they continue investigations.
The prosecutor spared details of the alleged offending in court, but confirmed police were alleging “a serious assault”.
Mr Dunn sought to clarify the matter further.
“Causing injury?” he asked.
“At this stage, yes,” the prosecutor responded.
The court heard the accused was suffering withdrawal from drug use.
In 2015, Mr Torney was acquitted of the murder of two-year-old Nikki Francis Coslovich in Mildura – despite him admitting to trying to hide the child’s body in the roof of the home.
The case escalated to a Supreme Court trial in 2016, however he was cleared of all charges.
Defence lawyer Kyle McLaughlin made no application for bail for his client.
Mr Torney will be held on remand and is due to appear before the Shepparton Magistrates Court on May 21.
He will face Cobram Magistrates Court on a separate matter on June 12.
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