Mandy Martyn, who was appearing over an alleged assault at Kiewa on April 8, pushed photographer Simon Dallinger into bushes as she brushed past to enter the court house.

In a bizarre coincidence, Daniel’s mother Donna Thomas was also at Wodonga Court as she accompanied her partner Colin Bilney on an unrelated traffic matter.

Martyn, 47, was arrested and charged by Benalla police in June and had been bailed to appear at court yesterday where the matter was adjourned to Benalla Court on October 7.

In June, coroner Jacinta Heffey ruled that Martyn had inflicted the injuries that led to the death of Daniel in October 2003.

Ms Heffey found Martyn subjected Daniel to repeated physical and emotional abuse in the six to seven weeks leading up to his death.

“Daniel was exposed to cruelty amounting to torture,” she said.

Daniel was reported missing on October 17, 2003, sparking a large emergency services search.

His remains were found five years later by a dog under a house in Lawrence Street, Myrtleford, where Ms Thomas lived before moving in with Martyn.

Police said after Ms Heffey’s finding they would take the case to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

After her court appearance yesterday Martyn was escorted to her car by two police officers as a large media pack followed.

Asked if he had any comment on Martyn, Mr Bilney said: “My only comment is I wish she was dead”.