BY ASHLEY GEELAN
Bendigo detectives today charged a 34-year-old man with murder following an assault in Golden Square on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
Police were called at about 10am to a High Street, Golden Square hotel.
A 34-year-old Bendigo artist, Joshua Penny, of no fixed address, was found and treated by paramedics before being taken to hospital.
He later died in hospital on Wednesday, January 15.
A 33-year-old Swan Hill man was arrested in the Bendigo CBD shortly after the incident. He was initially charged with intentionally causing serious injury.
Detectives reviewed the charge and he has been charged with murder. He remains in custody on remand.
He will appear before the Bendigo Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, April 2, 2025.
Mr Penny’s family wrote in a Facebook post: “It is with broken hearts and unbearable pain that we let you know that due to the severity of Josh’s injuries and deterioration over the last couple of days, Josh has lost the battle he has been fighting.
“His family are devastated and broken and will spend time to say their goodbyes.”
A GoFundMe campaign had been set up to support Mr Penny’s recovery and had raised nearly $6500 by the time of his death.
