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National

Mother of alleged murder victim Charlise Mutten avoids jail over home invasion

A Sydney mother has avoided jail over a home invasion where two guns were stolen months before her daughter Charlise Mutten was allegedly killed by her ex-fiance.

Kallista Mutten, 39, had a support worker at her side as she walked into Campbelltown Court, in Sydney's south-west, this morning. 

Ms Mutten — who is receiving treatment for drugs and alcohol at a "live-in" centre — did not speak to journalists as she made her way into the building.

The court heard the robbery happened at a Mount Wilson property in August 2021 in front of a "vulnerable elderly person", and, that several family antique items were also stolen.

It's alleged her former fiance, Justin Stein, stole the guns from the property, and that Ms Mutton was with him.

Ms Mutten's lawyer, Bet Turgut, told the court her client was prepared to give evidence against Mr Stein in future proceedings.

"These are very tragic circumstances and Ms Mutten is attempting to put her life back on track," Ms Turgut said.

"She acknowledges drugs have been a major issue in her life from the age of 34 years when she was convicted of driving which occasioned the death of her friend."

The court heard she previously served a three-year jail term, and most recently, had been "doing very well" while undergoing treatment for drugs.

Magistrate Geoffrey Hiatt rejected the suggestion Ms Mutten was an "unwilling participant" in the invasion but ruled she best serve a 12-month sentence in a residential rehabilitation clinic.

She must abstain from illicit drug use as part of her conditions and when asked if she understood, she replied "yes".

Charlise's body was found in a barrel dumped on the banks of the Colo River after a five-day search of bushland, north west of Sydney, in January this year.

Mr Stein, was charged with the murder of the nine-year-old, which allegedly happened while they were on holiday at his family's estate in the Blue Mountains.

He is yet to enter a plea.

The two incidents are not related and Ms Mutten is not implicated in relation to the death of Charlise.

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