Home

Canberra murder suspect denied bail

Andrew Brown and Dominic GianniniAAP
A Canberra man will face court charged with the murder of a 68-year-old man in the city's south.
Camera IconA Canberra man will face court charged with the murder of a 68-year-old man in the city's south. Credit: AAP

A Canberran man charged with murder has been denied bail after no application was made to the court.

Grant Oldfield, 49, pleaded not guilty to the murder of a 68-year-old man in the city's south when he faced the ACT Magistrates Court via videolink on Monday morning.

ACT police said officers were called to a home in the suburb of Kambah at 1.30am on Saturday following reports of a disturbance.

Officers found the 68-year-old at the home with head injuries and he was taken to hospital by ambulance for treatment.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

Detective Acting Superintendent Callum Hughes told reporters in Canberra on Monday the man gave an explanation for his injuries which didn't disclose an offence.

He then checked himself out of hospital just after midday on Saturday and was seen alive by neighbours later that afternoon.

However, ACT police said they received reports on Sunday morning the man could not be contacted, and officers found him dead inside the home.

Police later charged Oldfield with murder.

He will remain in custody for the next 10 weeks with the case next due in court on April 4.

The defence initially sought to have the case heard in the next three to four weeks but did not object when the prosecution asked for 10 weeks to prepare an evidence brief given the size of the investigation and gravity of the charge.

Police say the relationship between the two men is being investigated.

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails