Tony James Simmons, 27, has been charged with the murder of Mr Russell, who was last seen alive in June 2009.

The judge-alone trial before Justice Peter Hamill began in Sydney last Monday and will continue at the Bathurst Court House until Thursday.

It is estimated the trial will run for six weeks.

Simmons is facing one charge of murder and one of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Last week the court heard evidence that Simmons told people he had dumped Mr Russell’s body down a mine shaft.

Mr Russell was 23 when he was last seen alive, and his body has never been found.

Prosecutor Pat Barrett told the Supreme Court in Sydney police initially treated Mr Russell as a missing person after his father reported he was unable to contact him.

But they later charged Simmons with his murder.

The court heard that in March 2009, just months before he disappeared, Mr Russell was assaulted by Simmons so police sought an Apprehended Violence Order (AVO).

It heard Mr Russell was on medication for a serious liver condition caused by hepatitis and was often hospitalised.

“None of his friends or acquaintances or relatives have seen him since the 2nd of June 2009,” Mr Barrett said.

The court also heard Mr Russell’s bank account has not been touched since then.

The prosecutor said Simmons told others he pushed Mr Russell off a cliff in the nearby town of Sofala and dumped his body down a mine shaft.

The trial resumes at the Bathurst Court House today.