A man accused of killing a three-year-old British-born girl in Australia in 1970 once confessed and provided details about her possible resting place, a court has heard. Cheryl Grimmer vanished from a shower block at a beach in New South Wales. The 63-year-old suspect, originally from Britain, was arrested in March and charged with her abduction and murder.
Wollongong court heard on Wednesday that the man, then 17, confessed in 1971, but police did not believe him. He also gave information about where her remains might be located. Police initially dismissed the information as inaccurate, but it has since been supported by other evidence, the magistrate was told. The accused cannot be named as he was a minor at the time.
Police have stated they do not expect Cheryl's body to be found. Defence lawyer Laura Fennell argued that the new evidence should be inadmissible because it was given by a minor suffering from mental health issues. However, the magistrate denied bail, noting the prosecution case appeared strong.
