Hamilton home searched, man arrested in fraud investigation

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A man's been arrested after a Hamilton home was searched by police on Thursday morning.

Around 7am, officers attached to the Police Transport Command, with assistance from Operation Utah officers, executed a search warrant at a Dumaresq St property in relation to an ongoing fraud and identify theft investigation.

Several items have been seized from the home for further examination and investigation. 

The man has been taken to Newcastle City Police District, where he is assisting police with their inquiries.

Hunter Valley Steamfest postponed due to poor weather

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Hunter Valley Steamfest has been postponed due to recent bad weather across the region.

Maitland City Council has been forced to make the call after a landslip south of Sydney stranded two of the star steam engines on display.

Maitland Park and the Rally Ground have also become unusable for the event because of the wet conditions.

It's now been rescheduled to the weekend of the 30th and 31st of July.

Ticket holders will be contacted in coming days to transfer their tickets or grab a refund.

Former Newcastle Deputy Lord Mayor Paul Scobie passes away at 75

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Former Newcastle Deputy Lord Mayor Paul Scobie has passed away this week, at the age of 75.

It's understood, he died on Tuesday after an illness.

Mr Scobie was elected as a Labor councillor in 1999 and served until his retirement in 2008, as Deputy Lord Mayor.

His daughter, current Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, was first elected as a councillor after his departure.

He's being honoured for his work in environmental conservation, as a science teacher, in serving the city, and as a father, grandfather, and husband.

Current Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen says Mr Scobie is leaving an incredible legacy for the city.

"Paul Scobie was an absolute giant, particularly in environmentalism and conservation, somebody that fought for the conservation of the Kakadu National Park against uranium, who fought to save forests in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, who fought to put environmentalism on the agenda," Cr Clausen said.

"He's an absolute giant in addition to his role as the Lord Mayor's father, and somebody that has been a great inspiration for me and many others, so he will be very sorely missed and our thoughts are absolutely with the Lord Mayor."

A private funeral is being held for family and friends on Friday.

Lake Council Considers Bulk Waste Pick-Up By Appointment

 BY IAN CROUCH

Lake Macquarie City Council is considering a shake-up of the bulk waste kerbside collection service.

Under the proposal, residents will be able to book a pick-up date which suits them to dispose of 2 cubic metres of waste, or collect two vouchers a year to drop off rubbish at the Awaba Waste Management Facility.

If adopted, the new system will start next year.

Council expects the move will save an average of $500,000 a year in the next decade.

Residents can provide feedback on the idea until April 18 via Council's website.

Man Faces Court Accused of Sexually Touching Teen In Port Stephens

 BY IAN CROUCH

A man is due to re-appear in court next month accused of sexually touching a teenage girl in the Hunter.

Earlier this month, Port Stephens detectives began investigating reports a 15-year-old girl had been sexually touched by a man known to her.

Officers arrested a 36-year-old man at a Raymond Terrace home on Tuesday and he faced the local court on Wednesday charged with intentionally sexually touching a child over 10, procure a child for sexual activity and using a carriage service to menace, harass or offend.

The man's been refused bail to face court again on April 4.

Senior constable charged after blowing four times the limit in Morisset crash

BY DAKOTA TAIT

An off-duty police officer faces a high-range drink driving charge after a crash at Morisset on Monday night.

Officers attended a single-vehicle crash around 8.40pm on Goodwins Road at Morisset.

The driver, an off-duty senior constable attached to a specialist command, allegedly refused a roadside breath test and was arrested.

The 43-year-old woman was taken to Toronto Police Station, where she returned an alleged breath analysis reading of 0.208.

She's due to appear before Toronto Local Court in May.

Her license has been suspended.

Man hospitalised after Fennell Bay boat explosion

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Fire and Rescue crews have battled a blaze on the water after a boat exploded at Fennell Bay last night.

Crews found the 30ft cruiser alight and adrift in the water just before 6pm.

Firefighters used hose lines from the shore and a Rural Fire Service boat to help put the fire out.

It's understood the boat was carrying around 600 litres of diesel on board.

A 50-year-old man was taken to hospital by paramedics with burns to his legs and torso, and suspected burns to his airways.

BREAKING! Man Arrest Over String Of Break And Enters At Islington

 BY IAN CROUCH

A major arrest this morning as a man wanted over a string of alleged break and enters struggled violently with police at Islington.

Patrolling police spotted the man in his 40's in Anderton Street at about 4.30am on Wednesday.

He ran off as soon as he saw the officers who pursued him on foot and called for back up.

They caught up with him in nearby Power Street, with residents woken by the commotion.

Police say the man assaulted officers before he was taken into custody.

It's alleged the man was in possession of house breaking implements.

BREAKING! Two Boys In Custody Over Police Pursuit Through Newcastle

 BY IAN CROUCH

Two teenage boys are in custody and up to three others are on the run following a wild police pursuit through Newcastle early Wednesday morning.

Officers spotted a 2020 Honda Civic, which was reported stolen from Kotara, on Gordon Avenue at Hamilton at about 1.00am.

The car took off, leading Police on an 8 minute pursuit through Hamilton, Islington, Tighes Hill, Mayfield East and West into Warabrook, before heading back down Industrial Drive at speeds in excess of 100 kilometres per hour .

The car took a right hand turn at speed into Hanbury Street  and crashed into a kerb, with up to 5 teenage boys running from the vehicle.

Officers managed to catch two boys in their mid teens - they're now assisting police with their inquiries.

Man Faces Court Over Alleged Pursuits In Port Stephens

 

A man will face court charged over a number of alleged police pursuits in the Hunter region yesterday.

About 12.50pm (Monday 28 March 2022), officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District were patrolling the Salamander Bay area for an offender on outstanding offences.

Officers observed a 32-year-old man at a carpark of a licensed premises in Salamander Bay and attempted to arrest him.

Police deployed OC spray before the man fled the scene in a black Audi.

Additional police resources from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District were requested, where they sighted the vehicle in Nelson Bay.

A pursuit was initiated however was terminated almost immediately due to the manner of driving.

A short time later, the vehicle was located by Traffic & Highway Patrol officers on Nelson Bay Road at Salt Ash where a second pursuit was initiated. This was terminated again due to the manner of driving.

Shortly after, the vehicle was located abandoned near a premises on Cromarty Lane, Bobs Farm.

A perimeter was established before a 32-year-old man was located hiding in long grass a short distance away.

He was arrested and taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station, where he was charged with several offences including police pursuit, assault police in execution of duty and drive whilst disqualified.

He was refused bail to appear at Raymond Terrace Local Court today (Tuesday 29 March 2022).

 

 

Fire Crews Called To Fire On Plane At Newcastle Airport

 

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) responded to a fire on board a small passenger aircraft, landing at Newcastle Airport at Williamtown, on Tuesday afternoon.

The pilot had sent a radio message around 12.30pm, stating that a large amount of smoke was filling the cabin.

FRNSW crews, together with the RAAF Fire Brigade, liaised with airport staff and boarded the plane after it landed safely.

The smoke was caused by a small electrical fire in the aircraft's lighting compartment.

The fire had self-extinguished.

Two crew and four passengers were assessed by Australian Defence Force medical staff and were released without injury.

NSW Police and NSW Rural Fire Service also attended the incident. 

 

Crews Called To House Fire At Cooranbong

 BY IAN CROUCH

An unattended fire pit is being blamed for a house fire at Cooranbong early Tuesday.

Emergency services were called to a home on Ellenborough Drive just after 4.00am to find a fire in a fire pit on a rear balcony had spread to the rear wall and ceiling of an outdoor area.

There were initial concerns for an elderly lady inside the home, but Newcastle Fire Command says all occupants have been accounted for and no-one was injured.

The fire was quickly extinguished and crews remained on scene for about an hour to ventilate the property.

BREAKING! Pedestrian Defends Himself Against Knife-Wielding Bandit At Anna Bay

 BY IAN CROUCH

An alleged knife-wielding bandit has been arrested after trying to rob a pedestrian at Anna Bay.

Police say the 23-year-old local man hid in bushes on Gan Gan Road just before 11.00pm on Monday before approaching a 39-year-old man and demanding money.

But the victim was having none of it, punching the alleged offender in the face before wrestling the knife from him and holding him down until police arrived a short time later.

Officers arrested the 23-year-old - he's been refused bail to face Raymond Terrace Court today (Tuesday 29 March, 2022) charged with two offences - assault with intent to rob while armed with offensive weapon, and armed with intent to commit indictable offence, which carries a maximum penalty of ten years gaol.

The victim was taken to Tomaree Hospital and has been referred to the John Hunter today for x-rays on a broken hand.

 

Occupants Escape House Fire At Toronto

 BY IAN CROUCH

The occupants of a house at Toronto have escaped unharmed after a fire broke out early Monday morning.

Emergency services were called to the property in Anzac Parade just before 4 o'clock to find smoke issuing from the laundry.

Newcastle Fire Command says lint in a dryer caught alight.

Crews managed to extinguish the fire with a CO2 extinguisher, with damage confined to the laundry.

None of the 3 occupants were injured.

Police and firefighters say it's a timely reminder leading into the cooler months for residents to clean the lint filter of their clothes dryer after each use.

 

 

 

 

Man Charged With Murder Over Death Of Mackenzie Anderson At Mayfield

 BY IAN CROUCH

Strike force detectives have now charged a man over the alleged murder of a 21-year-old woman at Mayfield.

Police were called to reports of an armed man breaking into a unit in Crebert Street on Friday night, arriving to find Mackenzie Anderson with multiple stab wounds and her 3-year-old child hiding nearby covered in blood.

Newcastle Police Commander, Superintendent Wayne Humphrey described the scene as "horrendous".

Despite the efforts of paramedics, Mackenzie died at the scene.

Her 22-year-old ex-partner was arrested at the scene.

He faced court on Sunday charged with murder, aggravated enter dwelling with intent and breaching an Aggravated Domestic Violence Order.

The Mayfield man has been refused bail to face Newcastle Local Court today (Monday 28 March, 2022).

Mackenzie Anderson Picture: Facebook

Cessnock man faces 32 charges after Sydney robbery spree

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A Cessnock man now faces additional charges following an investigation into a spate of armed robberies, car thefts, and other offences across Sydney. 

Detectives from the State Crime Command's Robbery and Serious Crime Squad established Strike Force Lilley to investigate several robberies at jewellers and businesses between December 2021 and January 2022. 

Earlier this year, investigators arrested two men, aged 30 and 35, for their alleged roles in the robberies.

They currently remain before the courts. 

Detectives laid an additional 12 charges against the 35-year-old Cessnock man at Parramatta Local Court on Thursday.

The range of charges includes two counts of police pursuit, three counts of robbery armed with offensive weapon, two counts of steal motor vehicle, and other theft and property damage offences.

The man is now facing a total of 32 charges relating to his alleged involvement in the robberies. 

He was remanded in custody and is next due to appear at Parramatta Local Court in late April.

Maitland caught in Flood Plan limbo

BY CONNOR MARSELOS

The State Government is being condemned in Parliament, after the recent March floods have sparked calls for a review into the Maitland City Flood Emergency plan.

The plan as it currently stands, is based on Maitland City Council's flood plan, first implemented back in 2003, with a population of 50,000.

Maitland MP Jenny Aitchison says the government has neither reviewed, nor updated the flood plan, since 2013, while the population is now closer to 90,000.

"After 9 years, three major flood events and a number of smaller flood events, the Government has failed to plan for the safety of my community," says Miss Aitchison.

Since the 2015 April Superstorm, Miss Aitchison says one member of the community has been recorded as a fatality.

Ms Aitchison also suggests there is a disconnect in the response, between both the state and federal governments.

$5 million in cash seized in the Hunter forfeited to the Commonwealth

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The NSW Supreme Court has ordered nearly $5 million cash seized from a rural property in the Hunter be forfeited to the Commonwealth.

Officers with the Australian Federal Police-led Operation Ironside and the NSW Police Force Drugs and Firearms Squad discovered the cash inside the wall of a sheet metal shed at Quorrobolong near Cessnock when they executed a search warrant last June.

Police discovered 49 bundles of Australian currency inside the wall crevices, with each bundle containing about $100,000.

A subsequent investigation by the AFP-led Criminal Assets Confiscation Taskforce secured the forfeiture of the almost $5 million in cash, with the New South Wales Supreme Court making the order on Monday.

Police also seized two motorcycles, two vehicles and a number of designer handbags. 

An alleged encrypted communications device that had recently been burnt in a fire was also located.

A 51-year-old Quorrobolong man was arrested and charged with dealing with property reasonably suspected of being proceeds of crime.

The man has pleaded not guilty to the charge, which carries a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison.