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Alleged toddler killer accused police of 'mind games'

An alleged toddler killer accused detectives of playing mind games during a police interview, which was played to a Supreme Court jury.

John Torney is accused of bashing his partner’s two-year-old daughter to death and hiding her body in the roof of the home.

In his police interview, played in court, detectives told Torney they "found Nikki in the roof of the house", to which he angrily replied: “Are youse (sic) playing f***ing mind games or something with me.”

The body of Nikki Coslovich was found in the roof of a house.
The body of Nikki Coslovich was found in the roof of a house.
John Torney told the court he had never had been near the roof of the home.
John Torney told the court he had never had been near the roof of the home.

Police asked him about if he knew where the manhole to access the roof of the home was.

“No. The only thing I’ve ever done with the roof in that house is put f***king covers over the vents,” Mr Torney replied.

But last week Torney's defence told the court, the 32-year-old had since admitted he hid the toddler’s body, claiming he was asked to do so by her mother Peta Ann Francis.

He can be heard in the interview saying he searched cupboards, a fridge and a washing machine, when he realised she was missing. He also was heard saying he would never hit or smack a child.

Forensic investigators looked around the property where the toddler's body was found.
Forensic investigators looked around the property where the toddler's body was found.

A pathologist told the court Nikki suffered substantial injuries and bruises likely to be from knuckles to her abdomen, chest and face; injuries you would usually see in victims of high speed motor accidents.

The court heard blunt force trauma was the cause of Nikki's death.

A neighbour also took to the stand saying he heard a man yelling no, no, no, in the vicinity of the house, the morning Torney allegedly killed the toddler.

Nikki's mother is expected to give evidence tomorrow.

Peta Ann Francis is expected to give evidence at the Supreme Court on Tuesday.
Peta Ann Francis is expected to give evidence at the Supreme Court on Tuesday.

Top news stories - October 25