The Director of Public Prosecutions has withdrawn charges against Maroubra’s Koby Abberton, in relation to allegations of him being an accessory after the fact to murder.

In a public statement the Abberton family said, “We wish to thank all of our friends, supporters, sponsors and surf media for their solidarity and belief in Koby’s innocence.” Koby is still to have the lesser charges of attempting to pervert the course of justice and hindering a police investigation heard by the court. Jai Abberton is awaiting a murder trial before the NSW Supreme Court. The decision comes after the Crown had difficulty proving Koby had knowledge of Jai allegedly committing the murder.

The court erupted after the short proceedings as Koby was hugged by his brother Sunny and friends. Jai, who was looking on in the dock, held his fist against his chest and gave his younger brother a nod of encouragement.