Colt family matriarch bashed in prison as court hears others tried to flee borders to avoid arrests

The oldest of three Colt family matriarchs has been bashed in prison, a court has heard.

Rhonda Colt, 51, was denied bail in a hearing held in Central Local Court in Sydney on Tuesday after breaking down during her videolink appearance, news.com.au reported. 

One of three matriarchs and eight Colt family members arrested in raids across three states in April, Ms Colt is being held in Silverwater Correctional Centre as she awaits trial.

Rhonda Colt (pictured in 2014) remains behind bars after her bail application was denied on Tuesday

Seven of the eight members of the infamous Colt family remain behind bars. Pictured is Betty Colt in 2014

Seven of the eight members of the infamous Colt family remain behind bars. Pictured is Betty Colt in 2014

The DPP prosecutor told the court that Ms Colt’s defence claimed Ms Colt had been assaulted in prison, but provided no evidence.

The court also heard the family fled across borders to avoid arrest and had ‘a history of coercive tactics to avoid detection’ according to the prosecutor.

‘The children and young adults have cognitive or physical disabilities related to their genetics which makes them extremely vulnerable to coercion to go back to the family,’ prosecutor Mardi Cartwright told the court on Tuesday.

She said family members went to great lengths to keep their inbred children from giving evidence to authorities and ‘a number of children have absconded’ from state care, news.com.au reported.

Raylene Colt (pictured) was arrested in April but was grant bail last month

Raylene Colt (pictured) was arrested in April but was grant bail last month

Colt is a court-appointed pseudonym for the family to protect the identity of children. 

The 38-member ‘Colt’ clan was found crammed into rundown caravans, sheds and tents in the state’s south in mid-2012.

Authorities removed 12 illiterate and malnourished children from the camp and placed them into care. All but one were inbred.

Children found on the remote bush property had facial deformities, could not speak intelligibly and did not even know what a toothbrush or toilet paper were used for.

It was described at the time as the worst case of incest uncovered in Australia. 

A series of nationwide police raids in April led to the arrests of eight members of the Colt family following a five year investigation.

Betty Colt's brother Charlie also currently remains behind bars

Betty Colt’s brother Charlie also currently remains behind bars

Children found on this remote bush property (pictured) in southern NSW had facial deformities, could not speak intelligibly and did not even know what a toothbrush or toilet paper were used for.

Children found on this remote bush property (pictured) in southern NSW had facial deformities, could not speak intelligibly and did not even know what a toothbrush or toilet paper were used for.

Rhonda Colt is the oldest of five siblings and three of their adult children arrested across three states.

Only one of the eight members arrested has been granted bail. 

Rhonda Colt’s solicitor said his client would be willing report twice daily to police if freed on bail, which Magistrate Schurr refused.

‘This is a serious example of perjury,’ Ms Schurr told the court. 

‘Children and grandchildren have been placed in care and some wish to remain in contact with family. There could be contact with [Rhonda Colt] and witnesses.’

 The 38-member 'Colt' clan was found crammed into rundown caravans, sheds and tents (pictured)  in the state's south in mid-2012

 The 38-member ‘Colt’ clan was found crammed into rundown caravans, sheds and tents (pictured)  in the state’s south in mid-2012

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