A man extradited from Canberra to NSW has been charged with murder over the bashing death of his former partner in Sydney's south.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Stephen James Boyd, 51, wore a neck brace and green tracksuit when he was brought before the ACT Magistrates Court on Thursday afternoon.
It is alleged he bashed Tina Kontozis, 51, to death at her home on Beachcomber Avenue, Bundeena, on Sunday.
A 17-year-old male with an injured arm was also found at the house. He was taken to hospital for treatment.
Police said in a statement Boyd fled and was arrested when he crashed his car following a pursuit that ended in Wallace Street, Braidwood, on Monday.
He was taken to Queanbeyan police station before being transferred to Queanbeyan District Hospital with a broken jaw and neck injury.
Boyd was later transferred to Canberra Hospital for further treatment under police guard.
The accused killer rubbed his eyes and sighed deeply as he waited for his case to come before Magistrate Karen Fryar.
Crown prosecutor Shane Drumgold told the court NSW Police sought to extradite the accused so he could face Queanbeyan Local Court as soon as possible.
The court heard police had issued a warrant for Boyd's arrest for several charges, including the murder of his former partner, assault occasioning grievous bodily harm, and breaching an apprehended domestic violence order.
Under questioning from Mr Drumgold, Detective Sergeant Belinda Abdy, of Sutherland Local Area Command, said Boyd had prior convictions for breaching the protection order, and for violent offences committed against his partner and son.
Mr Drumgold said there were concerns Boyd would fail to appear at court, given the difficulty police had in apprehending him, and could commit further offences if he was released from custody.
She said police were making enquiries as to when Boyd could face court in NSW.
A Legal Aid duty lawyer stepped in to represent Boyd after the accused said he tried to organise legal aid on Wednesday but had been in hospital and "there was no time".
Boyd did not enter a plea and made no application for bail. He declined, through his lawyer, to make any comment.
Ms Fryar granted the extradition request.
Boyd was handed over to NSW Police custody so he could face court in Queanbeyan as soon as was practicable.
Police said in a statement Urlich had been formally charged with the offences at Queanbeyan police station on Thursday evening.
He will face court again on Friday.
