Suspended Wodonga policeman answers charges via a telephone link

Leading Senior Constable Matthew Higgs' defence claimed on Tuesday that it would be unfair on him to have the case remain in Wodonga.

That was because of Higgs' considerable contact with the courts in Wodonga as an informant in cases.

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But magistrate Peter Dunn was dismissive of the suggestion, making clear that he did not believe such a move was necessary.

"Well, I have got no idea who he is," Mr Dunn told defence lawyer Ross Eason.

"And there's two new magistrates coming to the region within a couple of months, or at the start of next year anyway.

"It's important that justice be done in the local community as well, and be seen to be done in the local community."

Higgs, 48, has not yet formally entered pleas to charges of assault with a weapon and unlawful assault, though it was made clear in Wodonga Magistrate's Court on Tuesday that he would be fighting the allegations.

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The charges were laid following an internal investigation into an incident claimed to have taken place in February last year while Higgs was on duty.

Higgs appeared in court via a telephone link though made no comment during discussion about the next steps to be taken in the case, instead leaving that in the hands of Mr Eason.

The Crown and the defence, Mr Eason said, had held a case conference over the charges but had not been able to reach a resolution in the matter.

"We're now asking to have a contest mention," he said.

Mr Eason then told Mr Dunn of the defence's intention to seek that any hearing of the charges be moved to the Melbourne Magistrate's Court.

He said that in the seven years Higgs had spent in the Wodonga area he had been involved in "hundreds" of criminal cases as a police informant, with some of these still before the court.

Mr Dunn adjourned the charges to a contest mention on August 18.

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