Man faces court after Cobram woman found dead

The accused man, John Torney, 39, appeared in Shepparton Magistrates’ Court on Friday, April 26.

Prosecutor Charles Moffatt said police were alleging a “serious assault” as well as several contraventions of the Family Violence Protection Act.

Police allege Mr Torney and Ms Bates were known to each other.

Mr Torney is charged with intentionally causing injury, unlawful assault, unlawful assault of a female, assault, and persistently contravening a family violence order.

According to police, these alleged offences all occurred between April 21 and 23.

Mr Torney is also charged with seven counts of contravening a family violence intervention order, and was charged twice with persistently contravening the order — on April 22 and between April 21 and 23.

The charges allege Mr Torney contravened the family violence intervention order by contacting or communicating with Ms Bates on April 21 and April 22, as well as between April 20 and 23.

He is also charged with contravening the order by going on to, or loitering outside, Ms Bates’ home on April 21 and twice on April 22, and by going within five metres of her on April 22.

Mr Torney was dressed in a brown jumper and grey tracksuit pants as he sat in the dock for Friday’s 10-minute court appearance.

His lawyer did not apply for bail, and no pleas were entered.

The court appearance was mainly an administrative one where the prosecutor changed the exact wording of the charges.

The defence counsel also spoke of two custody issues for his client, including that he was “withdrawing from a drug of dependence” and that he identified as a First Nations person.

Magistrate Peter Dunn remanded Mr Torney in custody to next appear in court in Shepparton on May 21.

As he was led from the courtroom, Mr Torney stuck up his middle finger at the large media contingent who had gathered to watch the proceedings.

On Friday afternoon, police said a postmortem had been conducted and “at this stage the cause of death has been unable to be determined“.

“Detectives will await the results of further testing and continue with their investigation,” police said.

On Sunday Cobram’s Federation Park saw locals from all walks of life gather to remember Emma Bates.

The event was organised by Ashleigh Ladgrove in support of ‘What were you wearing’ National campaign and to honour those that have lost their life.

Federal Member for Farrer attended the Cobram event on Sunday and said it was incredibly sad.

“It was incredibly distressing and organisers who put these rallies on, like Sarah in Canberra and Ash in Cobram and many others around this nation…they have overcome great anxiety to do this and to stand tall and stand proud.”

Moira Shire Council and the Panel of Administrators extended their deepest condolences to all those affected by the tragic death of Emma Bates in Cobram last Tuesday.

John Tanner AM, Chair of Administrators at Moira Shire Council said every instance of gender-based violence is one too many.

“All women deserve to feel safe in their homes and in their communities," Mr Tanner said.

"Our entire community shares in the grief caused by this tragedy, and our thoughts remain with those affected.”