Police tell court how mate gave lift to killer, helped buy petrol for Kelly’s murder
A workmate who allegedly drove Brian Earl Johnston to a petrol station to fill a jerry can with fuel before driving him to his former partner Kelly Wilkinson’s home where he knew Johnston planned to kill her has fronted court charged with murder.
Kelly Wilkinson and her alleged killer, estranged husband Brian Earl Johnston, on their wedding day. (Photo: Supplied)
Bradley Bell, 25, from Pimpama today appeared in Southport Magistrates Court for his alleged “reprehensible” role in the shocking domestic violence killing on the Gold Coast in in April.
Police on Tuesday arrested and charged Bell with Wilkinson’s murder.
Johnston, Wilkinson’s estranged partner, has already been charged with murder and remains in hospital behind bars after suffering serious burns to his hands and airways, allegedly sustained in the attack. Johnston was also charged with breaching a domestic violence order and his bail conditions. Johnston will face court again on October 15.
Bell, who appeared barefoot and wearing a hospital gown in court this morning, did not enter a plea and was remanded to face court again on the same date.
Wilkinson’s family watched from the gallery this morning as Bell became the second man charged with Wilkinson’s horrific murder.
It is alleged Bell drove 34-year-old Johnston, a former US marine, to Wilkinson’s Arundel home where he allegedly set fire to her in the backyard while her three children were in the house on April 20.
Police allege Bell, who had worked with Johnston at a Coomera business and had lived with him “on and off”, drove Johnston to the Arundel property in April knowing of his plans to kill the 27-year-old mother of three.
Gold Coast police Detective Inspector Chris Ahearn labelled Bell’s alleged actions as “reprehensible”.
Ahearn said police alleged Bell “aided Kelly’s estranged husband” in committing the murder. Ahearn said it was alleged Bell and Johnston stopped at a petrol station for fuel on the way to Wilkinson’s house. “We will allege that he knew what the end result was going to be,” Ahearn said.
Ahearn said police alleged Bell helped Johnston prepare for the killing.
“Part of the investigation has seized a number of telecommunications devices that are a subject of examination,” Ahearn said.
“We will allege that they’ve had communications in the lead up to Kelly’s murder and that those were with the intention, or with Kelly’s estranged husband’s intention, of murdering her.”
Police found a jerry can, three knives, a rope, duct tape and other items in a bag at the address after Wilkinson was killed, court documents show.
