A man is accused of striking his partner with an axe handle the day before she died in hospital.
Philip Andrew Hunter, 58, was not required to appear in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Monday for a mention of charges relating to his alleged assaults against Kristy Louise Hunter, 47, on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland.
Police previously said emergency services were called to a Gannawarra St address in Currimundi, about 4.40pm on December 22 following reports of a disturbance.
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Kristy was found at the address with non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment.
She died the next day at Sunshine Coast University Hospital.
Hunter, originally from Subiaco in Western Australia, had his occupation listed as carer in court documents and had the same address as Kristy.
He was taken into custody at the scene and charged with assault occasioning bodily harm as a domestic violence offence, aggravated contravention of a domestic violence order and obstructing police.
Police later charged Hunter with the more serious offence of acts intending to cause grievous bodily harm as a domestic violence offence.
His solicitor Mark Robinson told Magistrate Haydn Stjernqvist during a brief court mention on Monday that his client had already been taken from the police watch house to a correctional centre.
“He has got to be produced at some point for the new charges before the court and for an old charge to be discontinued,” Robinson said.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Melinda Pyke told Stjernqvist Kristy was Hunter’s “partner” and also said his initial charge could change.
“At some point the prosecution will be taking a certain course in relation to the original assault occasioning bodily harm charge,” she said.
Stjernqvist remanded Hunter in custody for a committal mention on February 24 at Maroochydore Magistrates Court.
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au.
In an emergency, call 000.
Advice and counselling for men concerned about their use of family violence: Men’s Referral Service, 1300 766 491.
