Hutchinson’s Bail Conditions

MAGISTRATE Annette Sinclair granted Kate Hutchinson bail on Wednesday at Lismore local court, despite the office of the Director of Public Prosecutors opposing the bail.

Kate Hutchinson: out on bail

Ms Hutchinson, who was charged with murdering her 16 month old toddler 15 years ago, was released from police custody and is due to appear in Tamworth court on May 24.

The bail is conditional on several factors including:

• not to go near or contact, or attempt to go near or contact, any prosecution witnesses;
  
• to report to the Ballina Police Station on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday;
• to attend two doctors and accept any reasonable treatment recommended;
• not applying for a passport or approach any points of departure;
• not to be around any persons under the age of 13 unless supervised by another adult, and
• if she fails to appear in court she will forfeit $1000.

Ms Hutchinson’s solicitor argued the evidence against her was highly speculative and drew parallels to the Keli Lane case, a former Australian water polo player who was sentenced to 18 years gaol for murdering her newborn baby on circumstantial evidence.

The magistrate noted that Ms Lane had been granted bail also and said she felt the concerns of the prosecution could be satisfied by the conditions of the bail.

When weighing decisions to grant bail Magistrates’ considerations may include:

• the risk the accused poses to the community;
• the flight risk of the accused;
• the ties the accused has within the community, and
• the previous history of the accused.

Related stories:

• Arrest Made in Baby Hutchinson Case
• Background to Missing Leonie
• Charged with Murder
• Kate Hutchinson Granted Bail