While several witnesses gave evidence this week of a relationship between the missing Bathurst shop manager, Ms Vaughan, and Mr Hosemans, such a relationship has been rejected by investigators from Strike Force Mountbatten.

Counsel Assisting State Coroner, Mary Jerram, Chris Ronalds, SC, tendered a statement that Mr Hosemans made only last week, days before the beginning of the inquest this week at the Bathurst Court House. Ms Ronalds has indicated Mr Hosemans, who was once a person of interest due to the rumour and innuendo of a liaison between him and Ms Vaughan, will be called to give evidence when the inquest resumes in September at Bathurst.

In the statement made available yesterday, Mr Hosemans said he is now 47-years of age and prepared, if necessary, to give his statement in court as a witness. The statement was prepared by Sydney lawyers Walter, Madden, Jenkins.

“On the morning of Thursday, December 6, 2001, I now believe that I was at my mother’s premises located at Ashtonfield near Newcastle,” Mr Hosemans said.

“I arrived at my mother’s place on Monday, December 3, 2001 after an appearance at the Bathurst Local Court. I had travelled there to avoid the significant amount of media and public scrutiny from that court appearance.”

Mr Hosemans said he remained at his mother’s until sometime during the morning of Thursday, December 6 when he started back to Bathurst.

“I did stop along the way and purchased petrol at a service station located along the freeway to Sydney,” he said. Mr Hosemans said he does not recall what time he got back at Bathurst but it was some time late in the afternoon. The duration of the trip was approximately four and a half hours.

“My belief that I remained at home that evening, centres around my strong feelings at the time that I wished to be removed from the public eye,” Mr Hosemans said. “I don’t recall what time I went to sleep, nor do I recall what time I awoke on Friday, December 7. I believe that I woke up alone that morning.

“I believe I returned to Bathurst to play in a golf match on Saturday, December 8, 2001 at the Bathurst Golf Club.

“I wanted to do that because I felt that it would assist me at a difficult time by having the support of some close friends and getting back into a routine.”

Mr Hosemans said he had no independent recollection of what he may have done on Friday, December 10, 2001.

“I returned to work at the Bathurst Police Station on Monday, December 10 when I first became aware of the alleged disappearance of Janine Vaughan,” Mr Hosemans said.

“At the time I was the investigations manager for the Chifley Local Area Command and the officers investigating that matter were under my control.”