Accused killer Tostee changes name: report

In another bizarre twist to the saga surrounding accused murderer Gable Tostee, the Gold Coast man has reportedly changed his name by deed poll to Eric Thomas.

Tostee was sentenced to 10 months' jail earlier this week in NSW after a high-speed police pursuit in his father's car in July last year.

He appeared under the name Gable Tostee for the court appearance at Tweed Heads Local Court on Monday but The Courier-Mail - citing police sources - reported he had changed his name to Eric Thomas in January.

Tostee has been charged with the murder of New Zealand tourist Warriena Wright last August.

Ms Wright fell to her death from the balcony of Tostee's Surfers Paradise unit hours after the pair had met on social media dating website Tinder.

Tostee's Facebook page hasn't changed to his supposed new moniker although it does list his occupation as "Witch at Witch hunt".

Tostee will be eligible for release from prison in August, six months into his 10-month sentence for speeding and being involved in a police pursuit.

During Monday's court appearance, Tostee's lawyer Peter O'Connor said his client had been brutalised during a three-month spell in jail after his arrest on the murder charge before being granted bail.

Mr O'Connor said Tostee was terrified of returning to prison.

Tostee will face Southport Magistrates Court in March on the drink-driving charge as the reading was taken in Queensland.

It's unknown if he'll stand under the name Tostee or Thomas for that matter or his ongoing murder case.