The man accused of the killing of 9-year-old school girl Charlise Mutten has been hit with further offences by New South Wales Police, including the possession of firearms and child abuse materials.
On January 18, Justin Stein, 31, was charged with the murder of his fiance’s daughter shortly after Charlise was reported missing from Stein’s family property in the Blue Mountains.
Police allege that Stein shot the child and tried to dispose of her body in a barrel near the Colo River.
Following his arrest, on February 3, a search of the Mount Wilson property was conducted where two firearms and ammunition were found. The items were seized and underwent forensic examination, the results led police officials to further charge Stein with additional offences on Thursday, May 19.
Heartbreaking – a vigil is underway at Tweed Heads Public School for 9-year-old Charlise Mutten. Teachers and classmates turning out in tears with tributes. @9NewsQueensland pic.twitter.com/ywdgHjVw28
— AnniePullar9 (@anniepullar) January 19, 2022
Stein is currently facing multiple charges including two counts of possessing an unregistered firearm, two counts of possessing an unauthorised firearm, possessing ammunition without a licence or permit, and aggravated break and enter in company.
He has also been charged with two counts of possessing child abuse material unrelated to the case.
Stein is scheduled to appear before Penrith Local Court on Friday, May 20, where it is understood he plans to plead not guilty to the murder of Charlise.
Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald in March, Stein’s lawyer, Peter Katsoolis, said his client will be defending the charges.
“It’s very early days; there’s still no clear motive,” Katsoolis said at the time.
The update on Charlise’s case comes three months after her biological father, Scott Hensby, made headlines for cancelling his $100,000 fundraiser for the memorial of his murdered daughter after being trolled online.
The shattered father had made a public plea for help, to help pay for a funeral and memorial in the Coolangatta region, but shut down the fundraiser after only raising $3120 after Facebook users claimed he did not have permission from Charlise’s mother, Kallista Mutten, to launch the fund.
After shutting down the GoFundMe, Hensby refunded all the donors.
State Crime Command’s homicide squad continues to investigate the disappearance of Charlise.
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