Woman in on murder related charge

A NORTH Toowoomba woman accused of being involved with two men accused of murder arising from the death of a 53-year-old man in Toowoomba has had her charges mentioned in the city’s Magistrates Court.

Debbie Jane Richards is accused of watching a man slowly die from injuries allegedly inflicted during an assault in the days before Christmas 2021 at a Ruthven St house in North Toowoomba.

She has been charged with being an accessory after the fact to murder, fraud and possessing dangerous drugs.

Police claim the 33-yearold was with Aaron John Leslie Bunt, 29, of North Toowoomba, and Oakey man William John Currey, 32, at the home on December 23 when police allege Mr Bunt and Mr Currey assaulted 53year-old Len Andrew Hegarty.

Ms Richards is accused of helping Mr Bunt and Mr Currey take Mr Hegarty to bed after the alleged assault, and rather than call for help left him to die from his injuries, with Ms Richards periodically checking on Mr Hegarty until he was deceased.

She was not required to be in court when her matters were mentioned on Thursday.

Her solicitor Nathan Bouchier, of Bouchier Khan Lawyers, told the court he was waiting for a response from Legal Aid as to whether Ms Richards’ case would be funded before briefing counsel.

Mr Bouchier asked that his client’s case be put over to when her two co-accused were next to be mentioned in court.

Magistrate Louise Shephard noted Mr Bunt’s case was to be mentioned in the same court on August 25.

She remanded Richards in custody and adjourned her matters to the same date for mention.