Aaron McLeod pleads not guilty over Coffs Harbour murder of two year old boy

A recently wheelchair-bound man pleaded not guilty to the murder of a toddler as legal teams clashed over a trial venue, with the Crown claiming they have “no medical evidence” of the accused’s disability.

Alleged toddler killer Aaron John McLeod faces a second trial over a separate offence of sexual intercourse without consent.

A man accused of the murder of a two-year old has pleaded not guilty while his legal team sought to move the trial to Sydney due to accessibility issues.

Aaron John McLeod, 39, who appeared in the NSW Supreme Court on Friday October 3, is charged with the murder of a two-year old boy in 2022 at Coffs Harbour.

After the plea was entered his defence team argued for a Sydney trial venue to accommodate his current physical condition and wheelchair use.

Aaron John McLeod will face a trial at Coffs Harbour Court on June 15 2026.

However the Crown prosecutor raised the lack of supporting evidence for consideration before Justice Peter Hamill changed trial venues.

“The Crown noted the accused’s medical situation may have changed significantly since 2022 when he was able to drive and walk, but I’m not sure the Crown has been provided with any material in relation to the circumstances regarding disability at this time,” the Crown prosecutor said.

The prosecutor successfully argued that civilian and ambulance witnesses were located in Coffs Harbour, where the trial should proceed.

Justice Hamill set a trial date for June 15 2026.

McLeod remains on bail.

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Originally published as Aaron McLeod pleads not guilty over Coffs Harbour murder of two year old boy