Police destroyed evidence by mistake from a negligent manslaughter case including the accused's mobile phone, a magistrate has heard.

Emma Bates, 49, was found dead at her home at Cobram near the NSW-Victoria border on April 23, 2024.

Her neighbour John Torney, 40, is facing a negligent manslaughter charge and other offences, which he denies.

Torney's mother previously told a committal hearing in Melbourne Magistrates Court that the two were in a relationship for about a fortnight and had argued in the lead-up to Ms Bates' death.

On Thursday, it was revealed property seized from Torney during his arrest including his phone and watch were "destroyed incorrectly" by an officer at Cobram police station.

Detective Senior Constable Kim Sneddon told the court evidence had been labelled as u

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