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ABC News
ABC News
National
Hannah Walsh and Melissa Maddison

Robbie Awad pleads not guilty over Whitsundays honeymoon death of bride Marina Hanna

A Sydney man has pleaded not guilty to causing a fatal crash that killed his new bride on their honeymoon in the Whitsundays.

Robbie Awad (also known as Robbie Morgan), 30, was driving a golf buggy on Hamilton Island in June this year, when it rolled.

Marina Hanna, 29, suffered critical injuries and died at the scene.

After a lengthy police investigation, Mr Awad was charged last month with multiple offences, including driving without due care and attention, and using a mobile phone.

He was not present in Proserpine for the first mention of the matter, drawing the ire of Magistrate James Morton.

"Where is your client? Why is he not appearing to put a not guilty plea on the record?" he asked lawyer Sam Wildermuth.

Mr Wildermuth said there were logistical issues for his client, a Sydney resident.

Mr Wildermuth said he was not aware of the practices of the court, where someone would usually appear in person for the first mention of their case.

The court was briefly adjourned to allow Mr Awad to appear by phone.

He formally entered a plea of not guilty to the charge of driving without due care and attention causing death.

No pleas were entered for charges of failing to wear a seatbelt, ensuring his passenger was wearing a seatbelt and using a mobile phone.

Those matters will return to court in February.

Mr Awad and his wife had been married for 10 days when they travelled to the Whitsundays for their honeymoon.

It followed a lavish wedding at Doltone House, near Sydney's Hyde Park.

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