Harden couple charged with Amber Haigh's murder plead not guilty

A Harden couple accused of the murder of a young mother who co-habitated with them have been committed to stand trial.

Robert Samuel Geeves and Anne Margaret Geeves, both 62, are now set to face the NSW Supreme Court in Sydney for an arraignment hearing, which sets trial dates, on 7 July.

Both parties appeared before Magistrate Don McLennan separately via audiovisual links in Young Local Court this week.

Arrested at their Harden home on 4 May, 2022, the couple face one count each of the alleged murder of teenager Amber Haigh who has not been seen since 2002, despite extensive investigations by police over the years – including numerous public appeals and a $100,000 reward for information.

In 2011, a coronial inquest found Ms Haigh to be deceased, having died as a result of homicide or other misadventure in early June 2002.

The arrests came after a new witness came forward via Crime Stoppers, just eight days after a $1 million reward for information on the case was announced in April 2022.

Police allege the couple murdered Ms Haigh, a 19-year-old mother of one, when she was living with them in their home in Kingsvale, a small farming settlement between the NSW South West Slopes towns of Harden and Young.

On Tuesday, Robert Samuel Geeves, who has been detained in Junee Correctional Centre, was represented by solicitor, Joanne Harris, in person.

Mr Geeves had faced a further charge of “aggravated sexual assault – victim with serious intellectual disability” but the court was told that had been withdrawn.

Geeves has entered a plea of not guilty to the charge of murder.

Anne Margaret Geeves appeared from Silverwater Prison and was represented by deputy public defender Michael King and instructing solicitor Clive Hill, also via audiovisual link.

She also entered a plea of not guilty.

Neither party applied for bail.

Ms Haigh’s mother and support people attended Tuesday’s proceedings.