Matters against murder accused Adam Joseph Hanbury delayed

Lawyers for a Mackay dad charged with murdering his little girl via reckless indifference want to push back the case. Here’s why.

Jessica and Adam Hanbury were taken into custody on Wednesday 7 February 2024

Lawyers for a Mackay dad charged with murdering his little girl via reckless indifference want to push back the case, stating there had not been enough time to go to the “voluminous” material.

The police case features 150 statements, Mackay Magistrates Court heard on Thursday.

Adam Joseph Hanbury and his partner Jessica Blinda Polsoni are both charged with one count of murder over the death of their two-year-old daughter Diana Hanbury in 2022.

Police alleged Diana, who is the youngest of six children, was already dead when Ms Hanbury took her to Mackay Base Hospital about 8pm December 29.

It is alleged the young girl had been unwell in the days before she was taken to the emergency department where hospital staff tried to resuscitate her.

Police allege Mr and Ms Hanbury, who moved to Mackay in 2020, neglected to get her appropriate medical attention in the lead up to her death.

Parents Jessica Polsoni and Adam Hanbury have been charged with murder after their two-year-old daughter died on Thursday, December 29, 2022. Picture: Fergus Gregg

Mr Hanbury is also charged with failing to have a birth registered, driving an unregistered vehicle with registration plates incorrectly fitted.

The court heard Ms Polsoni was in custody on remand.

Barrister Ruth O’Gorman, who is acting counsel for Mr Hanbury, requested an time extension in relation to any potential legal processes as the brief of evidence involved a “huge number of statements” including video statements.

Magistrate Damien Dwyer questioned why they wanted an extension when Mr Hanbury’s legal team had two months already.
Ms O’Gorman said it was “not practical to go through 150 statements in the time that I’ve had”.

She requested the case be pushed back to allow more time.

Mr Dwyer agreed and matters were adjourned to a date in August.

Ms Polsoni’s matters will be mentioned on Friday.

Originally published as Matters against murder accused Adam Joseph Hanbury delayed