Former partner of Jana Armstrong charged with her alleged murder
The baby whose murderer suspect was detained was left to grow up without a mother.
Jana Armstrong, 30, was reported missing by concerned family members on Tuesday, July 7, after she failed to return to her four-month-old son.
Her family has mobilized the community to help find the missing mother, who last met her sister, Faith Isaacs, for coffee at a nearby cafe on Tuesday.
Miss Armstrong’s car was found unlocked and parked in the middle of the road near her Newtown home on Wednesday, but the new mother was nowhere to be found.
The car was reportedly seen driving up and down the street about 100 times in the days before it disappeared.
On Saturday night a group of pig hunters found a body about an hour away in Redbank Creek on Esk Hampton Road; police believed it belonged to Ms. Armstrong.
On Monday, her former partner and father of her child, Dharminder Singh, 45, appeared via video link from duty house at Toowoomba Magistrates’ Court, charged with alleged domestic violence murder.
The Indian-born taxi driver was jointly charged with arson of a motor vehicle (domestic violence) and breach of bail.
The public gallery was lined up with Ms. Armstrong’s family, friends and supporters; observers were gathered two to a seat, with more standing in the aisle.
The Toowoomba man was wearing prison clothes and had his head in his hands as court proceedings began.
His lawyer, Ramli Salehkon, said the police would need a long delay before a briefing could be delivered to the defence.
But no defense was made outside court, with Mr Salehkon saying Mr Singh denied the charges against him.
“This is a sad time for everyone,” Mr. Salehkon said.
“My client cooperated with the police investigation… (he) maintains his innocence, this will be defended.
“My client has rights, I ask people to respect my client’s family and loved ones during this difficult time.”
Singh’s statement was adjourned until October 1, with a brief of evidence to be presented by the police to the defense by September 14.
He was kept in custody to await his next hearing date.
