Witney man to face trial after denying three counts of rape

A 16-year-old boy from the Wimmera region of Victoria is set to face trial for the alleged murder of 13-year-old Layla Jeffery. The boy appeared before the Children's Court of Victoria via video link from a youth prison, denying three counts of rape. Layla's body was discovered in bushland on July 9, following a report of her disappearance on July 5 from Donald, a town near Horsham.

Judge Jack Vandersteen, presiding over the case, stated there were reasonable grounds to believe the accused committed the murder. The judge granted a police request to collect a new DNA sample from the accused, after Chief Crown Prosecutor Kristie Churchill KC sought the destruction of the defendant's previous sample. The teenage defendant, when asked if he had any questions for the judge, simply responded "No, your honour."