‘Wilsonton Six’ to be sentenced
SENTENCING of the Wilsonton Six to take place in Toowoomba in October will utilise two courtrooms and the watch house.
Due to COVID restrictions, only a certain number of people are permitted in Toowoomba courtrooms at one time which has proved a headache for those organising the hearing when all six will be sentenced.
Initially nine people including Joshua James Lingwoodock, 33, Rhianna Jade Fing, 29, Ty Peter Fing, 23, Ashley Aaron Fing, 25, Christine Maree Hall, 34, Jana Leigh Hall, 28, Rhonda Ann Hall, 29, Lynn Fay Jean Anderson, 26, and Shiralee Fernando, 30 were each charged with murder arising from the death of Debbie Combarngo in a McGregor St unit on Sunday, May 6, 2018.
The nine were also charged with entering the dwelling with intent and the assault occasioning bodily harm while armed and in company of Debbie’s daughter Claudia Combarngo, 21, and her partner Tristan Hooper, 24, who were also at the unit at the time of the incident.
However, after a committal hearing in August, the Crown withdrew the charges against six of the accused including Ty Fing, Christine Hall, Ashleigh Fing, Jana Hall, Josh Lingwoodock and Lynn Anderson and each has since pleaded guilty to the reduced charge of manslaughter plus the assault of the other two people.
Their sentencing hearing was mentioned in Toowoomba Supreme Court yesterday with Justice Peter Callaghan conveying the proposed plans for the court hearing.
Justice Callaghan said, though things could change by October, it was envisaged that two people would appear in the dock in Courtroom 5, with one accused on bail also in that court, while two others would be held in the dock in Courtroom 1 and the other would be in the watch house with legal representatives.
The rooms would be linked via video from Courtroom 5 as would the special witness room which would accommodate the family of Debbie Combarngo.
The other three charged with murder, Rhianna Fing, Shiralee Fernando and Rhonda Hall, were expected to go to trial in Toowoomba at a special three week sittings next year.
None of the three have as yet been required to enter pleas to their charges and Justice Callaghan adjourned their matters for mention in the Supreme Court in Toowoomba on December 9.