Pilot's Bail Breach Case Dismissed

0:00From Sydney, this is your March 17th update. A former Royal Australian Air Force pilot accused of murdering his wife has lost his court appeal to make Queensland police cover his legal bills. 48-year-old Robert John Crawford faces charges over the death of 49-year-old Francis Crawford at their home west of Brisbane in July. 2024. He allegedly tried to make it look like a lawnmower accident. He's out on strict bail awaiting trial. His bail rules include a curfew from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. and he must answer the door of police specifically ask him to during those hours. Earlier this year, on June 13th, 2025, officers showed up at 1.55 a.m. for a routine check. They knocked a few times, but got no response, so they charged him with breaching bail the next day. Into Wumba Magistrate's court, Crawford's lawyers argued he was asleep and unaware of the visit. The Magistrate agreed, ruling that the condition required police to actually ask him to open the door first. The breach charge was dismissed, clearing him of that offense. After the win,

1:05his team asked the court to order police to pay about $5,000 in legal costs, but the magistrate said no, noting the case, was brought in good faith. Crawford appealed to the District Court, but the judge upheld the decision, pointing out police had no reason to doubt their actions at the time. Meanwhile, the main murder case and a charge of interfering with a corpse head to Supreme Court trial this October Crawford maintains his innocence on those serious accusations. DNN is sponsored by our partner. Your favorite podcasts, music or sleep sounds coming from your pillow, no earbuds, no distractions, just listen and relax. S-O-L-I, solelypillow.com.