Toowoomba: Dharminder Singh charged with former partner Jana Armstrong’s alleged murder
A four-month-old baby boy is left without a mother as his father is accused of her murder.
A baby has been left to grow up without his mother, as her alleged murderer is taken into custody.
Jana Armstrong, 30, was reported missing by concerned family members after she failed to return home to her four-month-old baby boy in Toowoomba on Tuesday, July 7.
Her family rallied the community to help find the missing mother who last met with her sister Faith Isaacs on Tuesday for coffee at a nearby cafe.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Ms Armstrong’s car was found parked, unlocked 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 spotted driving near to 100 times up and down the street in the days before she disappeared.
On Saturday night, a group of pig hunters found a body nearly an hour away at Redbank Creek on Esk Hampton Rd, police believed to be that of Ms Armstrong.
On Monday, her former partner and father to her child Dharminder Singh, 45, appeared via a video link from the watch-house in Toowoomba Magistrates Court, charged with her alleged domestic violence murder.
The Indian-born taxi driver was jointly charged with arson of a motor vehicle (domestic violence) and breaching bail.
Lining the public gallery were Ms Armstrong’s family, friends and supporters – with observers packed two to a seat and more standing in the aisle.
The Toowoomba man was dressed in prison greens, his head slumped in his hands as the court proceedings commenced.
His solicitor Ramli Salehkon said police would need a long adjournment to allow for a brief to be delivered to the defence.
No plea was entered, however, outside court, Mr Salehkon said Mr Singh denied the charges against him.
“It is a distressing time for everyone,” Mr Salehkon said.
“My client has co-operated with police investigation … (he) asserts his innocence, this matter will be defended.
“My client has rights, I ask that people respect my client’s family and his loved ones in this difficult time.”
Mr Singh’s mention was adjourned to October 1, with a brief of evidence to be supplied by police to the defence by September 14.
He was remanded in custody awaiting his next court date.
If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, phone 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) or the Crisis Care Helpline on 1800 199 008.
Originally published as Former partner of Jana Armstrong charged with her alleged murder
