THE man accused of murdering Andrew Russell, missing from Bathurst since 2009 has been refused bail, after his matter was mentioned in Central Local Court yesterday.
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Tony Simmons, 26 has been charged with the murder of then 23-year-old who disappeared in Bathurst on June 2, 2009.
Andrew Russell was last seen alive leaving a newsagency in William Street. His movements were captured by the store’s CCTV as he walked from the business, but he has not been seen since.
Mr Russell has not accessed his bank account or contacted family and police held grave fears for his safety.
Following a tip-off from a member of the public, detectives from Chifley Local Area Command, under Strike Force Renshaw, who have been investigating Mr Russell’s disappearance, attended a business in the Sydney suburb of Pyrmont about 12.15pm on Wednesday.
Twenty-six-year-old Simmons was arrested at the premises and taken to Surry Hills Police Station, where he was charged with murder.
He was refused bail and appeared at Central Local Court yesterday where the matter was mentioned.
During the brief mention Simmons did not apply for bail which was formally refused. The matter was then put over for mention in Central Local Court on March 14, 2013.
Meanwhile a search on a property near the township of Sofala by detectives attached to the strike force failed to turn up any evidence relating to the case.
The property, located on Red Hill Road was cordoned off by police on Wednesday.
Acting Chifley Local Area Command Superintendent, Glen Cogdell said yesterday cadaver dogs and an excavator would be brought in to assist police searching the area.
Supt Cogdell said a line search would also be undertaken by SES volunteers.
While unable to say how long police would remain at the site, Supt Cogdell said police were utilising all resources available to them as part of the investigation.
