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Newcastle Herald
Newcastle Herald
National
BREANNA CHILLINGWORTH

Accused murderer fails to have case thrown out

Jamie Cust.

A LAWYER for a man accused of murdering a coworker at Scone last year has made an unsuccessful bid to have the case against him thrown out due to continual delays.

And Jamie Cust, 21, will remain behind bars after his solicitor, Wendy McAuliffe, made a second failed application for bail in Tamworth Local Court on Wednesday.

Mr Cust, who appeared in court via audio visual link from jail, is accused of murdering Mr Bebita at a home in Parker Street at Scone on December 18 last year. The pair knew each other and were coworkers at the Scone meat works, JBS Australia.

Mr Bebita was also one of the Australian Meat Industry Employees Union (AMIEU) Newcastle & Northern NSW Branch's leading delegates and before coming to Australia in 2013 was a school principle in The Philippines.

Jesus Bebita.

It is understood that Mr Bebita suffered traumatic injuries in the flat in Parker Street between 3am and 4:15am on December 18.

About 6.30am that day, Mr Cust went to Muswellbrook police station and "provided information" that led police to the house and Mr Bebita's body.

Mr Cust was charged with murder and has remained behind bars.

On Wednesday, Police prosecutor Sergeant Rob Baillie applied to have the case adjourned to February so the charges against Mr Cust could be finalised.

But Ms McAuliffe opposed the lengthy adjournment and said charge certification, a reasonably new process where the prosecution must finalise the charges against an accused, must be finalised within six months, otherwise the case could be discharged.

Ultimately, Magistrate Julie Soars agreed to the adjournment, saying the brief of evidence in the case against Mr Cust would take more time to complete than a less serious charge.

Ms Soars also denied Mr Cust's second bail application, ruling there was no material change in circumstances in the case.

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