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Mother accused of murdering daughter dies in hospital

An already deeply tragic case has taken a further heartbreaking turn with the death of a woman charged with the murder of her three-year-old daughter. <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/chilling-new-details-emerge-after-qld-mother-s-alleged-murder" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lauren Ingrid Flanigan</a>, 32, was found unresponsive in her cell at the Brisbane Women’s Correctional Centre on Friday night. Despite being rushed to hospital, she died from her injuries overnight, Queensland Corrective Services confirmed. Flanigan had been in custody since last Monday, when she was arrested in the front yard of her Bundaberg home. Police were called to the property after reports of a seriously injured child. Her daughter, Sophia Rose, was found with multiple wounds and died at the scene despite desperate efforts to save her. The devastating loss of Sophia had already shocked the community. Now, just days later, Flanigan’s sudden death has left many struggling to make sense of the unfolding tragedy. “Queensland Corrective Services officers provided immediate assistance before paramedics transported the woman to hospital, where she died last night, June 1,” a QCS spokesperson said. “Support is being offered to the responding officers and their colleagues.” Police have confirmed that the Corrective Services Investigation Unit (CSIU) is examining the circumstances of Flanigan’s death, and a report will be prepared for the Coroner. Flanigan had not entered a plea and was scheduled to appear in court in July. Her death now leaves many unanswered questions, while intensifying the sorrow surrounding an already harrowing case. Sophia’s father, Jai Ruane, a FIFO worker at a Central Queensland coal mine, was not home at the time of the incident. He has since returned and is caring for his two other children. <a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/bundaberg-homicide-investigation-murder-probe-launched-after-threeyearold-girl-found-dead-in-queensland/fd891d0d-9c31-46a9-9668-44cda55655e0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Speaking to 9NEWS</a>, Ruane shared memories of his “bubbly” little girl, who he described as the “light” of his life. “She was always smiling, always wanting to help, just so full of life and love. She just had such a huge heart,” he said. If you need help in a crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For further information about depression, contact beyondblue on 1300224636. Images: Instagram

Woman accused of murdering terminally ill partner hours after palliative care meeting

A woman accused of killing her terminally ill partner after he postponed making a decision on assisted dying has been denied bail by the Queensland Supreme Court. Kylie Ellina Truswell-Mobbs, 50, was arrested on April 3, more than a year after the death of her partner, David Ronald Mobbs, 56, who died at their home in Alexandra Hills, southeast Brisbane, in December 2023. During a bail hearing on Tuesday, the court heard that Mr Mobbs, who had been diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND), had expressed a desire to delay a decision on voluntary assisted dying just hours before his death. Crown prosecutor Sarah Dennis alleged that later that same night, Truswell-Mobbs made three separate attempts to administer a lethal drug cocktail to Mr Mobbs via his feeding tube. “Her conduct was purposeful and determined,” Dennis told the court. “It continued over a number of hours through the night... her intent was protracted.” According to Dennis, Truswell-Mobbs acted after a palliative care meeting on December 5, where Mr Mobbs reportedly told others he wished to delay his decision about assisted dying by at least a week. Despite this, prosecutors allege Truswell-Mobbs acted within hours to end his life. The court also heard that Mr Mobbs, who used a signing board to communicate, had allegedly been given a lethal dose of drugs. Police claim Truswell-Mobbs later confessed her actions to both a close family member and a professional carer. One witness reported she told them she “couldn’t take it anymore”. Truswell-Mobbs’ defence barrister, Ruth O’Gorman, argued for bail, noting that her client had no prior criminal history and had not fled during the 16 months she was under police investigation. O’Gorman also raised the possibility that the charge could be reduced, suggesting that aiding suicide might be more appropriate than murder. “It’s not inevitable that the Crown would proceed with the charge of murder against her, or that the jury would convict,” O’Gorman said. However, Justice Glenn Martin found the prosecution had a strong case, noting the significant body of evidence pointing toward a potential conviction. He said there was a clear distinction between knowing one is under investigation and being formally charged with murder. Bail was denied, and Truswell-Mobbs is expected to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court for mention of the murder charge. Images: Facebook

Legal

"Dumb and Dumber": Karl levels brutal accusation

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has dismissed accusations that Australia’s major political parties are recklessly splurging on big-ticket promises to win votes, defending Labor’s fiscal strategy during a heated exchange with Today host Karl Stefanovic. Stefanovic didn’t hold back on Monday morning, opening the interview with a blunt comparison, saying watching the major parties was like "watching Dumb and Dumber, you guys recklessly buying our votes". Chalmers swiftly pushed back, insisting there is "a really important difference" between responsible budgeting and empty spending. “What we've shown as a Labor government is we’ve been able to maintain a focus on the cost of living,” Chalmers said. “At the same time, we’ve got the budget in much better nick, and that’s meant that we could make room for the sorts of commitments that we have been making in a really responsible way." Chalmers pointed to the government’s fiscal achievements, highlighting a significantly stronger budget position. “The budget’s more than $200 billion stronger than when we came to office. We’ve got the Liberal debt down,” he said. “We’ve delivered those two surpluses, and that’s meant we’ve been able to help with the cost of living. Ongoing tax relief, helping with medicines and energy, bill rebates and the like.” The debate comes as both Labor and the Coalition unveil costly housing policies, which economists warn could further inflate housing prices by injecting more money into an already overheated market. Chalmers criticised the Coalition’s approach, claiming it lacks lasting impact. “What Peter Dutton did yesterday was to borrow and burn another $10 billion and still provide no ongoing cost of living help for people who are doing it tough," he argued. “And then he’ll claw that back with permanently higher income taxes, lower wages and secret cuts to pay for his nuclear reactors.” As the election campaign heats up, both sides are under increasing scrutiny over their spending pledges and their real impact on Australians facing mounting cost-of-living pressures. Images: Today show

Samantha Murphy's accused killer fined over driving offences

The man accused with murdering Samantha Murphy has been fined and convicted for driving offences in the months before the Ballarat mother's disappearance. Patrick Stephenson has been ordered to pay $2,500 over a crash that occurred in October 2023 when the man was under the influence of drugs. The son of ex-AFL footballer Orren Stephenson was riding his motorcycle home after attending a party to celebrate the grand final when he came off it about 1.42am, the court was told. Police found Stephenson lying in the middle of Armstrong Street South in Ballarat, with his black Kawasaki on its side in the service lane. "The motorcycle has slid out from underneath the accused, which had ejected the accused from the motorcycle," the prosecutor told the court. "Police had difficulty communicating with the accused due to his current state of intoxication." His blood was analysed and he tested positive to MDMA, with a blood alcohol reading of 0.148. Stephenson pleaded guilty to drug, drink and careless driving, with two other charges struck out. He has separately been committed to stand trial for the murder of missing Ballarat mother Samantha Murphy, after pleading not guilty to the offence in November. Mr Stephenson was charged with Samantha's murder in March, just weeks after the 51-year-old went missing after leaving home for a morning run on February 4th. Image credits: Supplied / Facebook

Legal

Couple accused of faking six-year-old child's cancer

South Australian couple has been arrested after allegedly faking their child’s cancer diagnosis. A man and woman, both aged 44, allegedly requested donations to fund ongoing medical treatments for their six-year-old child. They even allegedly shaved their child's head, eyebrows and placed them in a wheelchair with bandages to imitate the effects of cancer treatment, but their child was healthy. “Our investigation has confirmed the child is not seeking medical treatment,” Acting Assistant Commissioner John DeCandia said. “We believe this farce illness is causing significant and serious psychological harm to the child and their sibling.” The pair allegedly received around $60,000 in donations over a two-week period. The allegations were first reported to police on November 26, with the couple being arrested and charged with two counts of criminal neglect and deceiving another to benefit self on Friday, according to SA Police. Both of the couple's children have been removed from their custody and are now staying with a relative. The parents were refused bail and will appear in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court on Friday. Anyone who may have donated money or has further information have also been asked to contact police. Image: Shutterstock

Legal

Update on Samantha Murphy trial as accused enters plea

The man accused of murdering Ballarat mother Samantha Murphy has plead not guilty, electing to fast-track his case to the Supreme Court. Patrick Orren Stephenson, 22, faced the Ballarat Magistrates Court on Thursday via video link, while Ms Murphy’s husband, Mick Murphy, watched the hearing from the body of the courtroom. Mr Stephenson, the son of former AFL player Orren Stephenson, was charged with Samantha's murder in March, just weeks after the 51-year-old went missing after leaving home for an morning run on February 4th. Crown prosecutor Raymond Gibson KC told the court that Mr Stephenson had elected to fast-track his case to the Supreme Court for trial. This skips a committal hearing in the Magistrates Court jurisdiction in which a magistrate hears the evidence and decides if they’re satisfied it could support a conviction, and will allow Mr Stephenson to face trial at an earlier date. “Not guilty, Your Honour,” the accused man said when asked how he would like to plea. Mr Stephenson was committed to stand trial by magistrate Mark Stratmann and will appear in the Supreme Court later in November. “Because the matter is now in the purview of the Supreme Court of Victoria, that court will be dealing with all matters in relation to this proceeding,” Mr Stratmann said. Following Mr Stephenson’s arrest in March, Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton remained tight-lipped about how the accused man was identified, but said the arrest came after a “painstaking and methodical investigation”. “I’m not going to identify what has specifically led us to this man other than to say it has come about from painstaking detective work with great assistance from the public,” he said at the time. Samantha Murphy's disappearance and alleged murder shocked the community and quickly became one of the most high-profile missing persons investigations in the state, and despite the efforts of police and volunteers, her body has never been found. Image credits: Nine / Facebook

Legal

Man accused of scalding baby in park identified

The man accused of pouring scalding hot coffee over a nine-month-old baby in a Brisbane park has finally been identified, after fleeing the country. On August 27th, baby Luka was in Hanlon Park with his mother when a man approached them and poured hot coffee over the infant, leaving him with lifelong injuries. The man then fled the country before he could be identified or detained by police. Now, the man in question has now been identified as a 33-year-old Chinese national who was in Australia on a student visa. He allegedly fled the scene after gravely injuring the child and drove over the state border to Sydney, where he flew out of the country on August 31st. Queensland Police have since put an arrest warrant out for the man for intending to cause grievous bodily harm, which carried a maximum penalty of a life sentence. Police said he had no family or criminal record in Australia and had previously worked in Queensland, NSW and Victoria, with Chinese media reporting that the man was born in Hangzhou, China. “Queensland Police are working with national and international partner agencies to progress this investigation further,” a statement from Queensland Police said. Speaking to 4BC Radio on Thursday morning, Acting Assistant Police Commissioner Andrew Massingham said police were “very much committed” to arresting the man. “Our international search continues for the person that committed that horrendous crime,” he said. “That child will have those injuries for life.” Queensland Police Detective Inspector Paul Dalton previously revealed the man fled the country just 12 hours after they identified him. “Detectives are devastated that they missed this person by 12 hours. I was deflated, but that deflation quickly turns into determination and resilience to get the job done.” Image credits: 9News / Queensland Police

Caring

Chilling videos emerge from mum accused of murdering schoolgirl

Warning: This article contains distressing content that some readers may find upsetting. Chilling videos have emerged from the mother accused of killing her 10-year-old daughter, Sophie Wang. Yingying Xu, who was named in court on Wednesday, posted a series of videos to TikTok before she allegedly murdered her daughter. “I want to let everyone know that the situation you see is fake. Fake god, the antichrist is a fake god,” Xu, 46, said while speaking in Mandarin. “I have felt the devil Satan saying to me how he has been influencing me, disturbing my soul. “Eventually possessing me 100 per cent. Possessing my soul to do evil things.” The videos were posted earlier in the day on Tuesday, and the little girl's body was found by her father, Yun Wang, later that evening. Sophie is alleged to have suffered several<a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/schoolgirl-identified-after-allegedly-being-murdered-by-mother" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> injuries</a>, and was allegedly killed by having her throat slashed in her Carrara home. Her father, who is an associate professor at Griffith University, could reportedly be heard screaming by neighbours after discovering her body. Paramedics attempted to revive the girl, but she was declared dead at the “incredibly confronting” scene. Xu was arrested in a nearby street hours later and charged with murder. “This is absolutely sickening, gut-wrenching, awful,” Queensland Premier Steven Miles said. “I just can’t imagine how that father felt and hearing the reports of him screaming - nobody would ever wish that on him.” Her mother was formally remanded in custody until she appears in court again on November 29. The family's home remains a crime scene, but flowers have been left outside the home, as the local community try to come to terms with the horrific news. Police are continuing to investigate the motive of the alleged murder, and are taking into account Xu's social media activity. “Police are continuing to investigate the motive of the alleged homicide, including social media activity of the accused,” police told 7News. Sophie has been remembered as a caring, kind and high-achieving Year 5 student, with the local community honouring her memory in an hour-long vigil on Friday at The Boulevard in Emerald Lakes. Sophie’s school, Emmanuel College, is also offering counselling to students, staff and parents. “Our prayers are with the family, friends, first responders and all affected by the loss of this beloved child in her home,” the school said in a statement. Images: Emmanuel College /TikTok

Legal

Samantha Murphy's accused murderer faces court

The man accused of murdering Samantha Murphy has faced court to an "unprecedented" amount of evidence. Patrick Orren Stephenson, 22, has been charged with the murder of mother-of-three Murphy, 51, at Mount Clear, after she went missing on February 4th. Stephenson was arrested in March, as the police investigation into the location of Murphy's body continued to no avail. Appearing before the Ballarat Magistrates’ Court via video link from prison, Stephenson was told he will wait behind bars for another three months before his case returns due to the "unprecedented" brief of evidence against him. Prosecutors asked the court to adjourn the committal mention for 12 weeks in order to allow them to go through a brief of evidence which contains "extensive" CCTV footage. <div>"We appreciate that is a significant period of time," prosecutor Daniel White told the court. "The brief is extensive and involves an extensive amount of CCTV footage." Stephenson's barrister Moya O'Brien agreed to the three-month delay as she said the evidence brief had only recently been served on defence and was "described as unprecedented in terms of size". Magistrate Mark Stratmann said three months was "a long time" for Stephenson and the community to wait, although agreed to allow the adjournment. Stephenson was remanded back into custody until the case returns to the Ballarat court on November 14. Stephenson's court appearance comes just days after Samantha Murphy’s loved ones marked six months since she vanished. Image credits: Nine / Facebook </div>

Legal

Major update in case against accused Russian spies

Accused Russian spies Kira and Igor Korolev have had their assets seized by the AFP as the investigation into their espionage-related offences continues. Kira, an Australian Defence Force army private, and her husband became the first Australians to be charged with espionage since 2018 after allegedly working together to leak state secrets to Russia. The couple were <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/aussie-couple-arrested-and-charged-with-spying-for-russia" target="_blank" rel="noopener">arrested</a> in July in their Brisbane home and were charged with one count each of preparing for an espionage offence, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years’ imprisonment. Now, as the investigation into their activities continue, the AFP have sought an order to confiscate the apartment, assets and financed. The AFP-led Criminal Assets Confiscation Taskforce (CACT) is seeking to confiscate the married couple’s apartment and financial savings under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Commonwealth). Last Friday, the Queensland Supreme Court made restraining orders over property owned by the couple, valued in excess of $550,000. The property subject to the restraining orders includes a Brisbane apartment owned by the couple, multiple bank accounts, and the superannuation funds acquired by Ms Korolev during her employment with the ADF. According to authorities, Kira, 40, undertook non-declared travel to Russia while on leave from the ADF and instructed her 62-year-old husband Igor, who remained in Australia, to log into her work account from their Brisbane home. The couple allegedly unlawfully accessed, copied and disseminated information from the Department of Defence computer systems that concerned the national security of Australia. The couple have not entered pleas to the charge against them and remain in custody on remand, and are next scheduled to appear in court in September. Image credits: Facebook

Legal

Jury decides fate of accused murderer Justin Stein

The jury has handed down their verdict to Justin Stein after a lengthy trial into the murder of schoolgirl Charlise Mutten. Stein, Mutten's stepfather, was found guilty of murdering the nine-year-old and disposing of her body in barrel in the Blue Mountains. Charlise's body was found near the Colo River, northwest of Sydney on January 18th 2022, with gunshot wounds to her face and lower back. The jury deliberated for almost two weeks before delivering its verdict on Wednesday morning, following a four-week trial. Throughout the trial, Stein admitted to disposing of Charlise's body after her death in January 2022, but maintained that the young girl's mother, Kallista Mutten, had been the one to murder the child. Kallista denied having any involvement in her daughter's death and broke down in tears when faced with the accusation in court. As she dismissed the jurors, Justice Helen Wilson thanked them for their service. She said "quite a lot of people" had told her at the beginning of the proceedings that they did not feel they could listen to evidence about the death of a child. <div data-component="EmphasisedText"> "It's not an easy thing to hear evidence about something as distressing as the violent death of, particularly, a child," she said. </div> "That's upsetting, I think, for most people. It's also difficult to sit in judgement on a fellow member of the community." "In being willing to do both those things, you've played a very important role in our criminal justice system." Stein will now face a sentence hearing on August 23rd, where is he faced with life in prison for the murder charge. Image credits: 9News / NSW Police

Legal

Former pilot accused of murder shares his version of events

Former Jetstar pilot Greg Lynn has shared his version of events from the day Russell Hill and Carol Clay were allegedly murdered. Mr Lynn, who is on trial for the murders of the elderly campers, claimed Mr Hill, 74, knifed himself in a struggle after he accidentally shot his childhood sweetheart Ms Clay, 73, in the head. Police allege Mr Hill and Ms Clay were murdered while camping in the remote Wonnangatta Valley in Victoria's Alpine region more than four years ago, with Crown prosecutor Daniel Porceddu telling the jury at the opening of the trial exactly how and why Lynn allegedly killed the couple. "The precise circumstances of the killing are unknown, nor is the motivation," he said. The jury heard it was most likely a dispute over the use Mr Hill's drone, as Mr Porceddu said, "There might have been an argument or confrontation between the men. It is not known how Mr Hill was killed." But in providing a brief defence, Lynn's barrister Dermot Dann KC, claimed Mr Hill and Ms Clay's death was the result of a tragic accident, telling the jury, "We say not a case of murder, this is a case of two accidental, tragic deaths." "Tragic accidental deaths in circumstances that were not of Mr Lynn's making and not of his choosing." Mr Dann told the jury that Mr Hill allegedly stole Lynn's shotgun after he became enraged about Lynn playing loud music on the night he was killed. The barrister then detailed how a fight over the gun ensued, which resulted in Mr Hill accidentally shooting Ms Clay in the head, as Mr Lynn tried to disarm him. Mr Dann said Lynn picked up the gun and fired its remaining ammunition into the air before being set upon by an enraged Mr Hill. "The next thing is Mr Hill's advancing towards him with a knife screaming at him 'she's dead'," Mr Dann said. "A struggle developed over the knife. Mr Lynn trying to defend himself - they're locked in this struggle - and as part of that struggle the two men fall to the ground and the knife goes through the chest of Mr Hill." Upon his arrest, Mr Dann claimed Lynn co-operated with detectives, telling them where to find the bodies of the campers, and once again telling the jury that Mr Lynn is not guilty of murder or manslaughter. Image credits: Supplied / Facebook

Legal

Police accused of "straight up revenue raising" after controversial act

New South Wales Police has been called out for the controversial way an officer hid to catch unsuspecting motorists during the double demerits public holiday over the Anzac Day weekend. Motoring journalist David McCowen accused the police of "straight up revenue raising" after capturing a video of an unmarked police car blocking a busy cycle path in a “hidden” spot on the Alfords Point Bridge in Sydney’s southwest on Sunday. “This is bulls**t,” McCowen said in the clip which has been viewed more than 500,000 times. “This is a highway patrol dude that is blocking a cycleway and running path here at Alfords Point Bridge between St George and Sutherland Shire, trying to book people hidden behind a concrete wall in an unmarked car on a double demerits weekend on a long downhill descent on a bridge." “That’s just crap. That is not serving the community. That is straight up revenue raising and I’m not about it. You can’t see him.” <div class="embed" style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; outline: currentcolor !important;"><iframe class="embedly-embed" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; border-style: none; vertical-align: baseline; width: 600px; max-width: 100%; outline: currentcolor !important;" title="tiktok embed" src="https://cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2Fembed%2Fv2%2F7362726836784205074&display_name=tiktok&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2F%40davemotoring%2Fvideo%2F7362726836784205074&image=https%3A%2F%2Fp16-sign-sg.tiktokcdn.com%2Fobj%2Ftos-alisg-p-0037%2Fac9931ef2d86483a85d43e726da22594_1714268444%3Fx-expires%3D1714532400%26x-signature%3DzVrZCNweB4EiqQwi%252BTl1M3l7ThE%253D&key=59e3ae3acaa649a5a98672932445e203&type=text%2Fhtml&schema=tiktok" width="340" height="700" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div> He added that “what you can see though” was how dozens of people had marked the location of “this bloke that’s trying to rip you off” on the popular navigation app Waze. “That is a cool thing,” he said. The video quickly raked in hundreds of comments condemning the "hypocritical" police behaviour, with one person writing, “Isn’t that a parking violation?” Another woman said, “My husband got a $300 fine recently for ‘park on footpath/verge’. Old mate should issue himself the same fine.” “It’s why people have lost respect for police,” one person added. While most people were frustrated by the police officer's act, others sided with law enforcement, as one person said, “If you live in the area you already know not to speed there,” one said. “He’s hidden for a reason, the amount of people that slow down then speed up again. It's not safe." Image credits: TikTok

Legal

Home and Away star accused of "stomping" on woman's head

A former Home and Away star, who has been accused of "stomping" on a woman's head during a violent altercation, was cast to appear on Seven's reality show SAS while battling “declining mental health and escalating drug use” according to court documents. Orpheus Pledger has been accused of the violent alleged assault that took place on March 25th, and was arrested on Thursday following a three-day manhunt by police after he absconded from a Melbourne hospital on Tuesday while on remand. At a bail application that lasted two days, the court heard details of Pledger's years-long deterioration of his mental health, in addition to his alleged prolonged and increasing drug use. A police statement submitted to the court alleged that Pledger was dealing with “declining mental health and escalating drug use” between February 2021 and his alleged attack in March this year. Court documents also alleged that Pledger has been “refusing to engage with mental health services and appears to spend his Centrelink payments on drugs” and had been known to police for many years. During a difficult period with his mental health and drug use, Pledger was cast on Seven's reality show SAS, before he abruptly quit after just two episodes over concerns of his "erratic behaviour". At the bail application, documents alleged the accused is at an “extreme risk of further assaulting” the alleged victim, although Pledger’s lawyer Jasper MacCuspie argued his client’s mental health would deteriorate if he were to remain in custody. Pledger’s matter will be heard again by the Melbourne Magistrates Court in May, where he will face the charges of assault. Image credits: Seven

Legal

Supermarkets accused of pushing "confusing" promo labels

Coles, Woolworths and Aldi have all been accused of saturating their stores with "confusing" promotional labels that offer little to no discount. Research by consumer advocacy group Choice suggests one-in-four shoppers feel "misled" by discount stickers, finding it difficult to discern the promo price from the original price. More than 1,000 customers across the country took part in the <a title="www.choice.com.au" href="https://www.choice.com.au/unclearsupermarketspecials" target="_blank" rel="noopener">research</a>, which surveyed price tags regularly used by Woolworths, Coles and Aldi that featured phrases such as “down down”, “member price” and “prices dropped”. According to the report, which has been passed on to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Supermarkets Inquiry, it was Coles that caused the most confusion, with their "while stocks last" stickers proving to be unclear to the average shopper. Coles told <a href="https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/news-life/woolworths-coles-and-aldi-accused-of-confusing-promotional-labels/news-story/c2a350bd62dd0a0ba9c4fad04fa69435" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au</a> its “while stocks last” tickets offer customers the chance to buy items which are only available at Coles for a limited time, and which are unlikely to be restocked once the products are sold out. But according to Choice, one-third of shoppers surveyed believed products tagged with the bright yellow tag were discounted, while another third were unsure of its meaning. Woolworths’ “member price” was also found to cause “considerable confusion”, according to the consumer watchdog. Meanwhile Aldi’s “super savers” label were also found to leave many Aussies confused, with a third of those surveyed unsure if it was a discount, according to the research. “Consumers look for products that are the best value for money but it is becoming increasingly difficult for people to decipher the promotional tags being used by the supermarkets,” Choice said. “Consumers are drawn to promotional tags that make it look like one product is potentially better value or a good deal, compared to other products." However, the labels are “confusing and potentially misleading” and without contextual information or historical pricing data, “consumers have no way of knowing if they are getting a good deal or not." Coles, Woolworths and Aldi have all responded to the report, with Coles saying in a statement, “Customer feedback is important to us. Our goal is to always be as clear as possible and we are taking steps to update this ticket over the coming months.” Choice has called for “transparent pricing” from supermarkets in the report “to ensure that people are able to effectively compare products, recognise genuine discounts and make informed decisions” when buying their groceries. Choice is also calling for strong enforcement action from the ACCC to “send a clear message to the supermarkets that misleading pricing is unacceptable”. Image credits: Choice

Money & Banking

Old woman targeted and accused of shoplifting

The photo of an elderly woman has sparked widespread outrage, as the older woman was targeted by police officers who accused her of shoplifting. A bystander snapped a photo of an old lady standing outside a Coles supermarket, as she was set upon by two police officer who began sifting through her shopping to check if she had stolen anything. Posting the photo to X, the bystander explained how the situation unfolded. "I just saw this poor old lady get arrested by police for shoplifting food," the post read. "I told them that I'll pay for her food and let her go and then I got threatened with being arrested for obstructing police. Boycott Coles and Woolworths." The pictures show the woman talking with police in the Melbourne CBD as a number of items from her shopping are placed on the ground. Commenters online quickly jumped to fury over the situation, defending the woman and calling for empathy for older people who are struggling financially. "This is so messed up. If people are forced to steal food, we need a better alternative," one said. "The elderly do not have enough to live on, pension rises are not covering food and utility price rises and the government couldn't care less," another said. "In my neck of the woods, I see some elderly folk snacking on grapes in supermarkets. They are left alone to do so by staff," a third added. "Seems like some training in empathy and kindness is needed," added a fourth. Image credits: X (Twitter)

Legal

Inside the alleged hide out of Samantha Murphy's accused killer

The Scotsburn property where Samantha Murphy's <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/everything-we-know-about-samantha-murphy-s-accused-killer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">accused killer</a> allegedly hid in is up for sale with a $1million-plus price tag. Patrick Orren Stephenson was staying at the property when he arrested on March 6, after police stormed in with a search warrant. The 5.46 hectare property is located about 18km away from central Ballarat, where Stephenson was believed to have been partying the night before he was accused of murdering Murphy. Stephenson is believed to have been living between this property and another one located less than 100m away on Yendon No 2 Road with his girlfriend prior to his arrest. The Daily Mail reported that a for sale sign was recently spotted at the property, which has four bedrooms and is advertised as featuring "a renovated galley-style kitchen, a generous lounge room with plenty of natural light, two living areas including a family/rumpus room for shared moments." "A school bus passing the front door adds to the convenience for families," the ad read. The property is also described as practically off-grid, with solar power and an underground bore water supply. It remains unknown how long Stephenson had lived at the home. Images: McGrath Ballarat/ InsideLook- Real Estate Media

Legal

Accused mushroom killer moved to protected unit over safety fears

Erin Patterson, accused of poisoning three elderly individuals and attempting to murder several others, finds herself secluded within the confines of a protected unit in a Victorian prison. The move, reportedly necessitated by safety concerns, places Patterson away from the general prison population, reflecting the gravity of the allegations against her. According to sources cited by <a href="https://www.heraldsun.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/the-mushroom-ccok/accused-mushroom-murderer-in-jail-unit-with-pedophile-rapist/news-story/824c4f35c9d9b8f7553af2704836ea82" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the Herald Sun</a>, Patterson now resides in the protected wing of the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, a correctional facility in Victoria. The decision to relocate her stems from fears that she may face harm from fellow inmates due to the nature of her alleged crimes. The Herald's insider disclosed, "If Erin got out of protection, the girls would hurt her." Allegations of her involvement in the deaths of three elderly individuals have evidently rendered her a target among fellow inmates, necessitating stringent security measures. “She allegedly killed three elderly people," the source continued. “There’s a rule, you don’t touch the elderly and you don’t touch babies so because of that, you go into protection." Patterson stands accused of several crimes, including the murder of her former in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, alongside Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson. Their deaths, following the consumption of a meal containing deadly mushrooms at Patterson's residence in Leongatha, shook the community. Furthermore, Patterson faces charges of attempted murder, notably targeting her ex-husband Simon and Heather Wilkinson's husband Ian, with the alleged attempts spanning over various dates. As Patterson awaits her court appearance scheduled for May, the case continues to captivate public attention. In the coming months, the court will delve deeper into the intricacies of the case, striving to uncover the truth behind the allegations. Image: News.com.au

Legal

Everything we know about Samantha Murphy's accused killer

The disappearance of Samantha Murphy, a beloved mother-of-three, sent shockwaves through the quiet community of Ballarat. As details emerged, the focus shifted towards Patrick Orren Stephenson, a young man <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/new-details-emerge-in-samantha-murphy-murder-charge" target="_blank" rel="noopener">accused of the crime</a>, whose life story offers a complex juxtaposition of privilege, athletic ambition and now, alleged tragedy. Patrick Stephenson, now 22 years old, grew up in the shadow of his father, <a href="https://www.afl.com.au/news/118551/orrens-family-affair" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Orren Stephenson</a>, a prominent figure in the world of AFL. Orren's late-life draft into the AFL introduced Patrick to the glamorous world of professional sports at a young age. Patrick, often seen tagging along with his father, had a firsthand view of the prestige and camaraderie within the football clubs, an experience many boys would envy. The Stephenson family, well-regarded in the Ballarat community, seemed to exude an aura of positivity. However, perceptions of Patrick were mixed among locals. While a local newspaper once featured him advocating for road safety alongside his football friends, news of his arrest painted a different picture, depicting him as a troubled teenager. On a fateful Thursday, Patrick Stephenson was charged with the murder of Samantha Murphy, <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/please-come-home-family-s-emotional-plea-to-missing-woman" target="_blank" rel="noopener">whose disappearance</a> had gripped the community since February 4. Despite initial suppression orders, <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/new-details-emerge-in-samantha-murphy-murder-charge" target="_blank" rel="noopener">details about the accused</a> began to surface, shedding light on his upbringing and associations. Patrick's childhood was steeped in football culture, mirroring his father's passion for the sport. Orren Stephenson's stint in the AFL provided the family with unique opportunities, including access to elite football circles. Patrick, enamoured with the lifestyle his father's career afforded, embraced the world of football wholeheartedly. Neighbours recall a seemingly happy home life for the Stephensons, with Patrick attending private schools known for their conservative values and strong sporting traditions. However, in recent years, Patrick's involvement with the local football scene had waned, signalling a potential shift in his priorities. <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/man-arrested-in-search-for-samantha-murphy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The arrest of Patrick Stephenson</a> in Scotsburn, a rural hamlet near Ballarat, left the community in disbelief. Residents, unaware of any motive or connection to the accused, expressed shock at the unfolding events. Despite extensive searches and appeals for information from the police, the whereabouts of Samantha Murphy's body remains unknown, adding to the sense of unease gripping the region. As the Ballarat community grapples with the loss of Samantha Murphy, questions linger about the events leading to her tragic demise. Patrick Stephenson's life, once intertwined with the glamour of professional football, now stands at the centre of a harrowing investigation that in many was has only just begun. Images: Redan Football Club / Supplied.

Legal

New CCTV footage released of accused double murderer

Chilling CCTV footage of Beau Lamarre-Condon has emerged in the moments before and after he allegedly killed Jesse Baird and Luke Davies. The video, obtained by 9News, allegedly shows the senior constable entering and leaving a sports shop and buying surfboard bags on two separate occasions. Baird and Davies' <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/update-on-search-for-bodies-of-murdered-couple" target="_blank" rel="noopener">bodies were found</a> near Bungonia on Tuesday, where police allege that surfboard bags were used to transport the bodies. In the CCTV footage, the senior constable walked into a Miranda sports store with a friend, two days before the alleged double murder, and then walked out with a surfboard bag. In a second clip, about three hours after the alleged murder, Lamarre-Condon was filmed walking into the same store by himself and walking out with another surf bag. Another video showed a man in a black cap arriving in a black SUV on the morning the couple were allegedly killed, and got out of his vehicle parked just 25m from Baird’s home. The man then drives off at 9am - around 50 minutes before the pair were allegedly killed. Lamarre-Condon allegedly returned to he house the next day in a rented van reportedly used to move the bodies. The CCTV footage emerge just one day after police alleged that the senior constable used his <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/shocking-new-claims-on-alleged-double-murder" target="_blank" rel="noopener">police-issued gun at the couple</a>, and then replaced the bullets with ones stolen from a firing range. Lamarre-Condon handed himself into police last Friday and was later charged with two counts of murder. He is currently at Silverwater prison and is next due to face court on April 23. Images: 9NEWS

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