Accused killer told Charlise Mutten’s mother kidnappers would kill her daughter if she if called police, court hears

Kallista Mutten tells court Justin Stein beat her when they came home to find her daughter missing

• Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates
• Get our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcast

Accused murderer Justin Stein bashed the mother of then-missing schoolgirl Charlise Mutten and told her not to call police or the girl’s kidnappers would kill her, a court has heard.

The body of nine-year-old Charlise was found by police in a barrel by the Blue Mountains’ Colo River on 18 January, 2022 with gunshot wounds to her face and back.

Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup