UPDATE: Former air force pilot Robert John Crawford has denied breaching his bail conditions in a crucial court hearing today, as he faces serious charges including the murder of his wife, Frances Crawford. This urgent legal development comes just days after police conducted a compliance check at his home in Upper Lockyer in the early hours of May 2, 2023.
Crawford is accused of killing Frances in July last year and allegedly staging her death to appear as a tragic lawnmower accident. Today’s proceedings in the Toowoomba Magistrates Court are focused on an alleged bail violation that could have significant implications for his ongoing case. The police claim officers arrived at Crawford’s residence at 1:55 AM to verify his compliance with the night-time curfew imposed by the Supreme Court.
During the court session, police prosecutor Anita Page emphasized the seriousness of breaching bail conditions, labeling it “an offence.” She revealed that officers knocked on the front door and checked a window multiple times but received no response. Body camera footage presented in court shows officers attempting to get a response, with one officer commenting, “Well, that’s non-compliant.”
Crawford’s barrister, Matt Jackson, countered these claims, stating that his client was indeed home and asleep during the police visit. Jackson argued that Crawford cooperated fully with authorities the following day. The police officer who testified admitted he did not check the registration of the vehicles parked outside, raising questions about the thoroughness of the compliance check.
Crawford has been out on bail since being granted release by the Supreme Court in May 2023, after spending nearly seven months in custody following his arrest on charges related to Frances’s death on October 10, 2024. This ongoing legal battle is drawing significant public attention, given the tragic circumstances surrounding Frances’s death and the serious nature of the accusations against Crawford.
As the hearing continues, the court is expected to take approximately half a day to discuss the bail breach allegations. Further developments are anticipated, as both sides present their case.
Stay tuned for live updates as this story unfolds, impacting the lives of all involved in this tragic case.
