A man accused of murdering two children in Bowraville in the early 1990s has been bailed until his next court appearance in August.
The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, faced Newcastle local court on Thursday for a brief hearing.
The man did not speak during the hearing and refused to comment to reporters as he left court.
Police allege the man murdered four-year-old Evelyn Greenup sometime between 4 October 1990 and 27 April 1991 in Bowraville on the New South Wales mid-north coast.
He also allegedly murdered Clinton Speedy-Duroux between 1 and 18 February 1991, also in Bowraville.
The two children were among three Aboriginal youths from the hinterland town killed within a five-month period from 1990 to 1991.
No charges have ever been laid in relation to the disappearance of 16-year-old Colleen Walker.
Her body has never been recovered but articles of her clothing were found weighed down with rocks in the nearby Nambucca river several months after she disappeared.
Under bail conditions set down by the magistrate, Robert Stone, the alleged double-murderer must live at his home in the Hunter region until his next court appearance on 10 August.
He is banned from contacting any prosecution witnesses and must personally notify the police officer in charge of the case if he changes address or intends to travel interstate.
The attorney general will appeal next week at the NSW court of criminal appeal to have the previous not guilty verdicts in favour of the man overturned.
Among the victims’ family members in court on Thursday was Clinton’s father, Thomas Duroux. Speaking outside court, Duroux thanked police and said he was happy to be seeing his son’s alleged killer facing court.
“You’ve just got to keep fighting and keep going – that’s all we can do,” he told reporters. “I’m really glad it’s come to this. It has been a long battle and hopefully we will get there.”
