Tense scenes as accused escorted
TWO women charged in relation to a fatal Wilsonton home invasion were escorted by half a dozen police officers to their family after being granted bail in the Toowoomba Magistrates Court yesterday.
The intense scene was prompted after one of the accused, Rhianna Jade Fing, claimed through her solicitor on Tuesday that she did not want her bail address placed on the public record out of fear of retribution from the deceased’s family.
The other accused granted bail, Jana Leigh Hall, is four months pregnant.
Both were released from the Toowoomba watchouse yesterday morning after four days in custody and had their charges of assault occasioning bodily harm while armed and entering a dwelling in company with intent adjourned until July 5.
Toowoomba mother Debbie Combarngo, 37, died as a result of the attack.
The court heard how police allege the group stormed a unit armed with metal poles, a knife, golf clubs and a hammer.
Police now believe Ms Combarngo was visiting the unit prior to her death.
Hall’s solicitor Chris Lumme said he was glad his client was no longer in custody.
“We are very pleased with the result,” he said.
“She (Hall) is very relieved but there is still a long way to go.”
Mr Lumme argued in court during Hall’s bail hearing yesterday that his client would be better served being in the community given she was pregnant.
“The charges are very serious,” Acting Magistrate Robert Walker said.
“What’s alleged is a violent home invasion that led to the death of a woman but the case against you is not strong.”
Fing’s solicitor Alysha Jacobsen also argued that the case against her client lacked weight given the evidence suggested she was in the unit at the time of the offence, but did not assault anyone and was not armed.
Acting Magistrate Walker also granted Fing bail. She is on the same charges as Hall.
The pair’s seven in-custody co-accused will also front court on July 5. None of the group have been required to enter a plea.
Darling Downs Detective Inspector Lew Strohfeldt appealed for members of the public, who saw a group of people together between 1.30pm and 2.30pm in McGregor St on Sunday, to come forward.
“A woman has lost her life and we are determined to get to the bottom of it,” he said.