Man on accessory charge could be arrested after failing to face court

A 60-year-old man who still has not has his day in court over charges relating to the death of Kingston woman Michelle Meades has failed to appear in court.

Michelle Louise Meades, 51, was found dead in a Clarendon Vale unit in September 2016.

A ROKEBY man who has waited nearly four years to challenge accusations he took part in the death of a Kingston woman may soon find himself under arrest after failing to show up at court.

Gary Matthews, 60, has previously pleaded not guilty to assault, failure to report a killing, and accessory after the fact of Michelle Louise Meades’ 2016 manslaughter.

Matthews, who is on bail, was due to face the Supreme Court in Hobart on Tuesday before Justice Michael Brett, but failed to appear.

The case was adjourned until July 23, with Justice Brett flagging he would hear an application for an arrest warrant if Mr Matthews didn’t face court on that date.

The house in Clarendon Vale where the body of Michelle Louise Meades was found.

Defence lawyer Fabiano Cangelosi said there had been a hold-up in the case, with problems transferring funds from Legal Aid to Crotty Legal, which is representing Mr Matthews.

Ms Meades, 51, was found dead in a Clarendon Vale unit in September 2016.

In October last year, Kylie Jane Hack was jailed for a minimum five-and-a-half years after pleading guilty to Ms Meades’ manslaughter after she had complained to neighbours about the drugs she had just bought.