Olaf Vennik pleads not guilty to three charges relating to alleged backyard burial of partner in Cranbrook

An East Coast man charged over the alleged informal burial of his partner has appeared in Hobart Magistrates Court this morning. LATEST >>

For the latest, follow The Beat, the Mercury’s live breaking news blog with the latest crime, traffic, police, fire and ambulance news across the state.

Tuesday May 25:

A MAN charged over the alleged backyard burial of his partner in the rural East Coast township of Cranbrook will face the Supreme Court after pleading not guilty to three offences.

Olaf Vennik, 70, has been charged with two counts of neglecting to bury and one count each of interfering with human remains, unlawfully disposing of human remains and failing to report a death.

The charges relate to the death of Soo Lan Chuah, Mr Vennik’s partner, and her alleged informal burial on August 11 last year.

In the Hobart Magistrates Court before Magistrate Robert Webster on Tuesday morning, Mr Vennik pleaded not guilty to the first three counts, with the two latter counts adjourned until a later date.

Last month, married couple Anthony Raymond Donald, 78, and Johanna Marolina Donald, 72, also pleaded not guilty to their joint neglecting duty as to burial charge.

According to court documents, police allege Mr Vennik dragged Ms Chuah’s body on to a modified wheelbarrow, placed her in a shallow hole and covered her over with sand on his Cranbrook property.

None of the defendants are accused of being involved in Ms Chuah’s death.

The Donalds were previously committed to stand trial in the Supreme Court, with their first appearance set down for July 19.

Mr Vennik was bailed to also appear in the Supreme Court on the same date.

May 24, 2021:

Public servant faces court

A TASMANIAN public servant charged with child sex offences is yet to enter a plea in court.

The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared for the second time in the Hobart Magistrates Court on Monday morning.

She has not yet entered a plea to two counts of procuring a child or young person for penetrative sexual abuse.

The case was adjourned until July 27 and she was bailed to reappear then.