The man accused of murdering missing Bathurst man Andrew Russell was yesterday refused bail in Central Local Court.
A SEARCH on a property near the township of Sofala yesterday failed to turn up any evidence relating to the murder of Bathurst man Andrew Russell in 2009.
Tony Simmons, 26, has been charged with the murder of then 23-year-old Mr Russell, who disappeared from Bathurst on June 2, 2009.
The property, located on Red Hill Road, was cordoned off by police on Wednesday.
Acting Chifley Local Area Command Superintendent Glen Cogdell said yesterday cadaver dogs and an excavator would be brought in to assist police searching the area.
Superintendent Cogdell said a line search would also be undertaken by SES volunteers.
While unable to say how long police would remain at the site, Superintendent Cogdell said police were utilising all resources available to them as part of the investigation.
Mr Russell was last seen alive leaving a newsagency in William Street. His movements were captured by the store’s CCTV as he walked from the business, but he has not been seen since.
Since that day, Mr Russell has not accessed his bank account or contacted family and police held grave fears for his safety.
Following a tip-off from a member of the public detectives from Chifley Local Area Command, under Strike Force Renshaw who have been investigating Mr Russell’s disappearance, attended a business in the Sydney suburb of Pyrmont about 12.15pm on Wednesday. Twenty-six-year-old Simmons was arrested at the premises and taken to Surry Hills Police Station, where he was charged with murder.
During a brief mention in Central Local Court yesterday Simmons did not apply for bail, which was formally refused.