UPDATED 6.37PM Toyah accused in Cairns watchhouse as legal proceedings commence

UPDATED 6.32PM: Queensland Police a short time ago confirmed a 38-year-old man has been charged as part of ongoing investigations into the alleged 2018 murder of 24-year-old Toyah Cordingley at Wangetti Beach in Far North Queensland.

Police confirmed he has been remanded in custody, charged with one count of murder and is expected to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court tomorrow, Friday, March 3.

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UPDATED 2.32PM: The main suspect in the death of beloved Toyah Cordingley has touched down in Cairns following a speedy extradition process from India.

Detective Inspector Sonia Smith is currently talking to media about Operation Quebec Clarify and what the next step will be regarding the ongoing legal process surrounding the case.

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EARLER: Toyah accused

The man accused of the murder of Toyah Cordingley is expected to face court in Cairns within a day or two, following his extradition from India to Victoria.

It's understood 38 year-old Rajwinder Singh will touchdown in Cairns in the next 30 minutes to an hour, flanked by a number of detectives. From there he'll be quickly taken to the Cairns Police Watchhouse.

Queensland Police Acting superintendent Kevin Goan told reporters of Mr Singh’s Wednesday Melbourne court appearance:

“He has consented to his extradition out of India, and again today he consented to his extradition from Victoria to Cairns,” he said.

“Within the coming days he will be charged before Queensland courts, and that judicial process will then take a course of action.”

Officer attacked

Police have charged a 68-year-old man after he allegedly assaulted a police officer in broad daylight during a police media conference.

The man was arrested at the scene in the Cairns CBD by other officers attending the briefing – which happened to be about a police crackdown on alcohol and alcohol-fuelled violence in the CBD – and charged with one count of serious assault of a police officer.

Police will allege around 10am on Tuesday in Shields Street, the man approached the officer, a senior constable, and assaulted him. The officer sustained minor facial injuries.

The man, from Ashgrove in Brisbane, is due to appear before Cairns Magistrates Court on March 16.

Food winners

Douglas restaurants are celebrating wins in the latest Australian Good Food Guide awards selected by readers.
The renowned Kai restaurant in Reef Street, Port Douglas has received an AGFG Readers' Choice award for the Bistro category.

According to AGFG, Kai is best known for its braised lamb shoulder, button mushrooms, green beans, minted zucchini, squash, green peas and fig balsamic dish.

Other Readers’ Choice winners were Melaleuca in Wharf St, Port Douglas, in the Modern Australian category, La Cucina Bar in Macrossan St for Italian, Salsa Bar & Grill in the International category, and Harrisons Restaurant at the Sheraton Grand Mirage in the Regional category.

Flying foxes

Complaints about a ‘non-contiguous’ roost of spectacled flying foxes on the western side of Old Port Road, Port Douglas has led to a grant funding application by Douglas Shire Council from the State Government.

If successful, the grant application will allow the development of a long-term flying fox management plan for the region.

If the application is unsuccessful, Council said it will grant permission to residents of the Lakes Estate to apply for a permit for flying fox management on the street.

“I have spoken to many residents who are worried about living so close to flying foxes and asked Council to consider safely nudging them back into trees across the road,” Mayor Michael Kerr said.