Sydney engineer, 74, allegedly confessed to killing wife when arrested, court told – The Guardian Australia

Steven Hastings Barker is accused of murdering his wife, Christine Barker, at their Bronte home on Thursday evening
A civil engineer from Sydney’s eastern suburbs allegedly gave police a detailed account of killing his wife when they arrested him, a court has been told.
Steven Hastings Barker, 74, is accused of murdering his wife, Christine Barker, at their Bronte home on Thursday evening.
Christine Barker, also 74, was found by police with critical injuries outside the home on Bronte Road about 6pm.
Police and paramedics treated her but she died a short time later in hospital.
Her husband was arrested at the scene and taken to Waverley police station where he was charged with murder.
The property in the beachside suburb remained cordoned off the morning after the death, with detectives and uniformed officers at the scene.
Barker was refused bail by a Waverley magistrate on Friday after police prosecutor Sgt Nicole McMahon said the evidence against the accused murderer was overwhelming.
As forensic and crime scene evidence was analysed, the case against him was only likely to strengthen, she said. If convicted, the engineer faces life in prison.
Barker’s alleged admissions were captured on the body-worn cameras of officers who arrived at the home, McMahon said.
Defence lawyer Matthew Bogunovich had argued his client was not an unacceptable risk to the community or a flight risk.
Barker had no criminal record, a long employment history and had only been overseas three times despite his considerable means, the court was told.
Thursday’s alleged murder occurred after an unravelling in the Barkers’ long marriage and the accused killer did not pose a threat to the wider community, Bogunovich said.
Prison would probably be tough for Barker as a first-time offender, but given the serious charges he faced and the alleged strength of the evidence against him, he shouldn’t be released on bail, magistrate Clare Farnan said.
Barker dropped his head into his chest as his bail request was denied.
The 74-year-old is next due to appear at the same court on 7 December.

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