A Shepparton man has admitted “assisting” in the alleged murder of a Mooroopna man whose body was discovered in a disused mine at Whroo near Rushworth earlier this year.
Anthony Burford pleaded guilty at Shepparton Magistrates’ Court yesterday to a charge of assisting an offender in the alleged murder of Mark Missen, 56, whose body was found down an abandoned shaft at the Balaclava Hill gold mine by two men who were exploring the area on 12 March.
Three other people also face charges in relation to the case.
A 26 year-old man from Traralgon faces one charge of murder; a 30 year-old woman has been charged with assisting an offender and reckless conduct endangering serious injury; and a 34 year-old man from Echuca faces one charge of assisting an offender.
Magistrate John O’Callaghan adjourned all three cases for further committal hearings at Shepparton Magistrates’ Court on 11 October.
Mr Burford was bailed to appear in Melbourne’s Supreme Court on 6 September.
Mr O’Callaghan refused a media application for material related to the case after defence lawyer Luke Slater said his female client had “genuine concerns” for her safety.
