Courts & Police
14 July, 2026
Poisoned tea at centre of alleged murder plot
A former Bowral businessman who owned and operated a Telstra Shop will stand trial over allegations he intended to murder his wife by repeatedly poisoning her cups of tea with Ant-Rid insecticide.
A former Bowral businessman who owned and operated a Telstra Shop will stand trial over allegations he intended to murder his wife by repeatedly poisoning her cups of tea with Ant-Rid insecticide.
Stephan Wagner, 63, has pleaded not guilty to causing poison to be taken with intent to murder, using poison to endanger life, and administering poison with intent to injure or cause distress.
On 23 April, Wagner was arraigned on a three-count indictment and entered pleas of not guilty to each charge.
The matter has been listed for a three-week jury trial commencing on 5 April 2027.
Court records show Wagner remains in custody after bail continues to be refused.
Police allege Wagner poisoned his wife, Glenda Wagner, over almost two years between December 2022 and September 2024 by secretly administering Ant-Rid insecticide in cups of tea she drank at the couple's home.
Investigators allege Mrs Wagner became seriously ill during that period before the couple's adult children became concerned and alerted police.
Campbelltown City Police Area Command established Strike Force Southport in September 2024 to investigate the allegations after Mrs Wagner was hospitalised for several days.
Detectives arrested Wagner at the family home on 8 October 2024. Police allege they seized a bottle of Ant-Rid insecticide during a search of the property.
Ant-Rid is a commonly available household insecticide containing borax, which can be toxic if ingested.
Separate allegations that Wagner breached an apprehended domestic violence order by allegedly contacting his wife from prison remain before the Local Court and are expected to be dealt with separately.
Many Bowral residents would recognise Wagner as the former owner and operator of the Telstra Shop in Bowral, which he opened in 2005.
Before establishing the Bowral business, Wagner held senior roles with Telstra, Optus, Nokia and Cisco. After leaving Bowral, he returned to the telecommunications industry, joining networking company Ciena as an Account Director before later taking up a senior position with the Australian Government's Department of Industry, Innovation and Science through AusIndustry.
As Regional Manager for Western Sydney, Wagner worked with businesses on innovation and manufacturing programs. In 2021, he was a guest speaker at an Australian Arab Business Council event discussing the future of Australian manufacturing and government support for industry.
The Southern Wire will keep readers updated on this story.
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