Charges Dropped Against Port Of Newcastle Climate Protestors

BY LIAM COLLINS

NSW Police have formally withdrawn charges against 125 climate protestors involved in the 2024 Rising Tide People's Blockade of the Port of Newcastle.

173 people were arrested at the initial protest, the second Rising Tide-organised blockade of the port.

Climate Defenders Australia, who represented 117 of the arrestees, were among the most vocal in supporting the over 7,000 protestors who attended the blockade. 

"Facing criminal charges is particularly stressful and has an impact on all aspects of your life," said Climate Defenders Australia legal director Josh Pallas.

"They're not doing this for personal gain or anything like that, they're doing it to protect the places in which we live, work and play, for the people that we care about in the future."

A test case was held in June of this year, with all charges again dismissed by the court.

NSW Police were further ordered to pay $73,000 in legal costs for the defendants after a costs order in March.

Josh Pallas said they will continue to fight for the financial support of their defendants.

"We still haven't had our hearing about costs in the June test case, and we're going to claim for costs in relation to these cases as well," he said. 

"It will be a matter for the court to decide whether they grant that application of our or not."

The Port of Newcastle is the world's largest coal port, having exported an estimated 149 million tons of coal in 2025.

Rising Tide held another People's Blockade of the port last year, with over 100 protestors arrested afterwards who are in the preliminary stages of their cases.

Josh Pallas said he expects their cases will mirror that of the 2024 protestors.

"This is a vote of confidence for protesters that police are dropping these charges, one of the charges that any people are facing in 2025 is exactly the same charge," he said. 

"Hopefully it bodes well for 2025, but we're still just reviewing the evidence at this stage."

Flotilla of protestors during the 2024 protest. Picture: Rising Tide.

Appeal to Locate Missing Metford Man

 BY CHARLIE PROUDLOCK

Police are appealing for public assistance to help locate a man missing from the Metford area.

31-year-old Beau McDonald was last seen leaving a home on Hakea Way in a 1997 white Holden Jackaroo SUV, at about 6.30pm last night.

Officers attached to the Hunter Valley Police District were notified and have commenced inquiries into his potential whereabouts.

Hunter Valley Police hold concerns for Mr McDonald's Welfare, describing his disappearance as, "out of character."

He is described as being of Caucasian appearance, around 170cm to 180cm tall, of a medium build, with black hair and brown eyes.

It's believed he frequents the Black Hill, Heddon Greta, Kurri Kurri and Maitland areas.

Anyone with information regarding Mr. McDonald's whereabouts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. 

Picture: NSW Police

Appeal to locate two missing girls who could be in the Hunter

BY HOLLY FISHLOCK

Police believe two teenage girls missing from the Central Coast could be in the Hunter region.

13 year old Brodie Monger and 14 year old Mailey Gelder were last seen at Davistown late Sunday night.

They've both been described as Caucasian in appearance, about 140 to 150 centimeters tall, with shoulder-length brown hair.

Mailey was last seen wearing black track pants and a black hoodie.

They're known to frequent East Maitland and the Central Coast.

Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Brodie Monger. Credit: NSW Police

Mailey Gelder. Credit: NSW Police

Woman Charged Over Double Gateshead Shooting

BY OLIVIA DILLON

A second person has been arrested and charged over a double shooting in Gateshead. 

At about 2:00am on Thursday the 21st of September, 2023, emergency services arrived at a home on Cassia Crescent in Gateshead, to find a 42-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman suffering from non-life-threatening gunshot wounds. 

Following inquiries, a 31-year-old man was charged in relation to the attack four days later. 

He remains before the courts. 

As investigations continue, a 25-year-old woman was arrested at a property on Bousfield Street in Wallsend at about 2:30pm on Wednesday the 1st of November, 2023. 

She's been charged with a number of offences, including shoot at with intent to murder. 

The woman was refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court today (Thursday the 2nd of November, 2023). 

UPDATE! Man Charged Over The Murder Of Zachery Davies-Scott At Heddon Greta

BY OLIVIA DILLON

A man has been charged with murder, as officers attached to Strike Force Roslyn continue their investigation into the shooting death of a man at Heddon Greta. 

25-year-old Zachery Davies-Scott was shot dead inside a home on Traders Way just before 11:00pm on the 27th of December last year. 

His mother, partner, and two children were inside the home at the time. 

Following enquiries, Strike Force Roslyn investigators arrested a 24-year-old man at Boomerang Beach, south of Forster at about 6:00am this morning (Tuesday the 31st of October, 2023). 

He's since been charged with murder and is expected to be refused bail in Taree Local Court today. 

Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty says it's understood a group of men were involved in the attack, and the investigation is still ongoing. 

"Today marks the first domino to fall, and it's highly likely others will follow, as Strike Force detectives continue with their investigation."  

Image: Zac Davies-Scott

BREAKING! Four Arrested Over Alleged Hunter Street Assault

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Four people have been arrested following an alleged assault in Newcastle West yesterday afternoon.

About 3.45pm, Newcastle City Officers and one Traffic and Highway Patrol Command officer intervened with a group fighting on Hunter Street in Newcastle West.

Police were told, the four people entered a shop on Hunter Street before allegedly assaulting the owners, a 25-year-old man and an 18-year-old woman.

The man suffered a suspected fractured jaw, and was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital for treatment. 

Following inquiries, a 16-year-old boy and two men, aged 18 and 20, were arrested at the scene and taken to Newcastle Police Station.

The 16-year-old was refused bail to appear before a children's court today. 

Both men were granted conditional bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court tomorrow 

Shortly after, a 20-year-old woman attended Newcastle Police Station and was also arrested in relation to the incident.

She was granted condition bail to also appear before Newcastle Local Court on Thursday the 2nd of March 2023.

BREAKING! Man Arrested At Nulkaba After High-Speed Pursuit

 BY IAN CROUCH

A man is due to face court later this month accused of leading police on a high-speed pursuit from Maitland to the Coalfields.

Patrolling police spotted a Holden Barina on High Street Maitland at about 9.00pm On Tuesday - checks revealed the car was possibly being driven by a suspended driver.

They tried to pull the car over but it took off, leading police on a lengthy pursuit at speeds allegedly reaching 160km/hr.

The chase continued for about half an hour through several suburbs before the car stopped on Wine Country Drive at Nulkaba.

The 21-year-old driver from Rutherford was arrested - he's been charged with drive in a manner dangerous, police pursuit, suspended driving, possession of a small amount of methylamphetamine and possession of a knife.

He's been granted conditional bail to face Cessnock Local Court on December 21.

Police say a female passenger in the car was released without charge.

Police Release CCTV of Merewether Assault and Car Theft

BY ISABEL EVERETT

Police have released CCTV images and are appealing for public assistance, after a man was assaulted and his car stolen in Merewether over the weekend. 

About 3pm on Saturday, a 45-year-old man parked a blue BMW M2 coupe on Lloyd Street, Merewether, and sat down on a nearby bench.

A short time later, three unknown men arrived in a Toyota Kluger 4WD – believed to have been stolen from an Islington address on Friday – when they approached the man and punched him before taking his keys, wallet and phone.

All three men drove away in the BMW and were last seen heading west towards Scenic Drive.

Police have released CCTV images of three men they wish to speak to who may be able to assist with their inquiries.

They are all described as being of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander appearance and aged in their mid-20s.

One man is also described as being of a solid build, with mohawk-style hair and a ponytail. He was last seen wearing a grey hoodie.

A second man is described as being of slim build, wearing a black t-shirt and jeans.

Police are also appealing for anyone who may have seen a blue BMW M2 coupe with NSW registration DSS 71W, or with information about the incident to contact police or Crime Stoppers.

Police Dog, Vegas, Catches Fletcher Vehicle Thieves

BY ISABEL EVERETT Two offenders wanted on warrants and in possession of a stolen vehicle have been tracked down in Fletcher, thanks to the work of the Police dog unit. On Saturday night the offenders were traced to the suburb, with Police dog, Vegas, tracking both offenders who were swiftly arrested by Police from the Dog Unit and Newcastle City. They were taken to Waratah Police Station and charged with the Warrants and other offences.

Police Dog, Vegas

Police Searching for Driver in Hit and Run Incident at Mayfield West

BY ISABEL EVERETT

Police are appealing for information as part of an investigations into a hit and run incident in Mayfield West on Wednesday.

A red Holden Commodore travelling between Sandgate and Mayfield West crashed into another vehicle near the intersection of Industrial Drive and Steel River Boulevard, Mayfield West between 4:40pm and 5:00pm.

The male driver of the Red Holden Commodore ran from the scene without rendering assistance to the other driver or exchanging details, he was last seen running towards Stevenson Park, Mayfield.

Anyone with dashcam or other footage of the incident or with any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers or Waratah Police Station.

Residents of the area surrounding Stevenson Park with CCTV footage, are being asked to review the footage for the male running from the scene.

Vandals Set Fire to Car in Middle of South Wallsend Oval

BY ISABEL EVERETT

Vandals have overnight set fire to a car in the middle of the South Wallsend Junior Soccer Club oval. 

Wallsend MP, Sonia Hornery is urging anyone who saw something or has any information about the incident to contact her office or Newcastle Police. 

"Another senseless act of vandalism has ruined yet another sporting facility," Ms Hornery said in social media post.

"Overnight, some moron has decided that the middle of the South Wallsend Junior Soccer Club oval would be the best place to set fire to a car."

"Let's hope that Newcastle City Police District and City of Newcastle can get this mess cleaned up quickly so the kids can get on the field this weekend."

Fourth Person Charged Over Violent Hawks Nest Home Invasion

BY ISABEL EVERETT

A fourth person has now been charged over an alleged home invasion at Hawks Nest in June.

At about 10.30pm on June 30, a 78-year-old man opened the door of his home on Booner Street to three men, before he was allegedly assaulted and stabbed in the abdomen.

The group then made their way upstairs and allegedly assaulted a 53-year-old man before stabbing him in the back and neck multiple times.

A 30-year-old man was arrested at The Entrance Police Station on Monday 24 August.

He was taken to Wyong Police Station and charged with two counts of special aggravated enter dwelling with intent to wound.

He was refused bail to appear at Wyong Local Court today on Tuesday.

Two men – aged 22 and 46 – and a 30-year-old woman have also been charged in relation to the incident; they remain before the courts.

Two Hunter Men Arrested As Part of Investigations Into Major Methamphetamine Supply Chain

BY ISABEL EVERETT

Three men have been charged in relation to a major drug manufacturing and supply chain operating throughout Hunter Valley, New England and Coffs Coast regions. 

As part of investigations by Strike Force Delisle, established in May 2020, police executed a search warrant at a home at Murrurundi, where they located an inactive clandestine lab.

Following inquiries, about 5pm on August 15, a 42-year-old Aberdeen man was arrested at Muswellbrook Police Station.

He was charged with manufacture a large commercial quantity of prohibited drugs and faced Newcastle Local Court on August 16,  where he was refused bail to appear at Muswellbrook Local Court on October 19.

As part of investigations, Strike force detectives also stopped a white Nissan utility on Waterfall Way at Ebor about 5pm on August 14.

Police spoke with two men – aged 45 and 47 – before conducting a search of the vehicle, where they allegedly located methylamphetamine, ammunition and chemicals used in the manufacture of prohibited drugs.

The 45-year-old Murrurundi man was charged with manufacture a large commercial quantity of prohibited drugs, while the 47-year-old Billys Creek man was charged with manufacture and supply a large commercial quantity of prohibited drugs.

Both men were refused bail appearing at at Armidale Local Court on August 24.

On August 20, strike force detectives executed a search warrant at two properties at Billys Creek.

During the searches, police located and seized glassware used in the manufacture of prohibited drugs, a kilogram of dried cannabis and approximately 10 litres of chemicals believed to be either prohibited drugs or precursors used in their manufacture.

The liquids have been sent for further forensic analysis.

Coffs/Clarence Police District Crime Manager, Detective Chief Inspector Guy Flaherty, said these arrests will disrupt the local supply network of methylamphetamine across several regions.

“We will be alleging this illegal activity not only affected the Coffs Coast area, their connections also stemmed into our Hunter Valley and New England regions.

“Through fantastic collaborative work and information sharing with our neighbouring police districts, we have been able to interrupt a cross-region drug network of both manufacture and supply.

“Strike Force Delisle remains ongoing with further investigation and arrests expected,” Det Ch Insp Flaherty said.

Police Searching for Man Involved in Alleged Indecent Assault of Woman At Newcastle Hotel

BY ISABEL EVERETT

As part of inquiries, police have since identified and spoken to a man.

Investigations are continuing, anyone with information about the incident is urged to come forward.

Police would like to thank the public and the media for their assistance.


Earlier: 

Police are appealing for public assistance as part of investigation into an alleged indecent assault in Newcastle hotel in 2019.

On November Saturday 23rd a 34-year-old woman was reportedly at a hotel with friends at the intersection of Watt and Scott Streets, Newcastle, when an unknown male approached her and touched her inappropriately.

The woman left shortly after and notified police.

As a part of their inquiries, investigators have released a CCTV image of a man that may be able to assist with their inquiries.

He’s described as being of Caucasian appearance with blond hair.

Newcastle City PD Crime Manager, Detective Chief Inspector Scott Parker, said on that weekend in November, tens of thousands of visitors were in town for a major sporting event.

“There were thousands of people here during the Newcastle 500 weekend, all visiting our popular pubs and clubs in the Newcastle CBD.

“We believe there are several people who may have been visiting the Newcastle area that weekend that can assist us with our investigation.

“Anyone who was at that venue on Saturday 23 November, please cast your mind back and see if you have any information which may assist Newcastle detectives,” Det Ch Insp Parker said.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. 

Man Charged Over Alleged Repeated Arson Attacks on Elderly Lady's Wallsend Home

BY ISABEL EVERETT

A man has been charged after several alleged arson attacks at a Wallsend home earlier this year.


Detectives commenced an investigation in relation to three separate arson incidents at a home on Metcalfe Street, Wallsend, on Wednesday 24 June, Saturday 18 and Thursday 30 July 2020.

During these incidents, a house, carport and vehicle were damaged.

An elderly woman was inside the home at the time of all three incidents, but she was uninjured.

Following a public appeal for information and ongoing inquiries, officers arrested a 37-year-old man on Harriet Street, Waratah, and took him to Waratah Police Station.

He was charged with three counts of destroy/damage property with intent to endanger life, two counts of destroy or damage property and one count of common assault.

Police allege the man had an ongoing dispute with a former resident of the property and assaulted him at the home on Sunday 21 June.

He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court Friday August 21. 

Nearly $8 million of Cannabis and 12 Industrial Grow Houses Dismantled Near Muswellbrook

BY ISABEL EVERETT


Drug and Firearms Squad detectives have charged two people after dismantling 12 large-scale industrial grow houses near Muswellbrook and seizing cannabis with a street value of nearly $8 million.

In November last year, detectives from the State Crime Command’s Drug and Firearms Squad established Strike Force Harthouse to investigate the cultivation and supply of cannabis across NSW.

Their inquiries uncovered a remote property near Muswellbrook being used for the large-scale cultivation of cannabis.

Following extensive investigations, strike force detectives executed a crime scene warrant at a property on the Golden Highway at Gungal, about 58km south-east of Muswellbrook, around 9am on Thursday August 20.

During the search, investigators seized 2628 cannabis plants with an estimated potential street value of $7.8 million.

Officers also located equipment consistent with the cultivation of cannabis within 12 large-scale industrial grow houses, which were subsequently dismantled.

Two men – aged 24 and 29 – were arrested at the property and taken to Muswellbrook Police Station.

The Cabramatta men were both charged with cultivating a prohibiteded plant (large commercial quantity).

Both men were refused bail to appear at Muswellbrook Local Court on Friday August 21.

Investigations by the Drug and Firearms Squad are continuing.

Maitland Woman Facing Court, Allegedly Faking Her Own Kidnapping

BY ISABEL EVERETT

A woman will face court on Wednesday charged over an alleged hoax kidnapping in the Hunter on Tuesday night.

Police allege around 10.40pm on Tuesday, a 20-year-old woman was on a video call with relatives when she was handcuffed and appearing to be held against her will by a man.

Relatives contacted police shortly after the call was terminated.

Officers commenced inquiries into the whereabouts of the woman.

About 1.30am on Wednesday, police attended a hotel on High Street, Maitland, and located the 20-year-old and another woman.

She was arrested and taken to Maitland Police Station and charged with conveying false information that a person/property is in danger.

She was refused bail to appear at Maitland Local Court on Wednesday.

Police are conducting inquiries into the whereabouts of the man.

He’s described as being of Caucasian appearance, between 160cm to 170cm tall, with a solid build, brown hair and brown eyes.

Former Catholic Brother Charged With Additional Indecent Assault Offences in Newcastle

BY ISABEL EVERETT

A former Catholic Brother has been charged with additional historical indecent assault offences allegedly committed in the Newcastle region.

In 2012, Strike Force Georgiana detectives commenced investigations into alleged child indecent assaults committed by a former Catholic Brother.

As part of inquiries, an 84-year-old man was charged in March 2017.

Following further inquiries, strike force detectives arrested the man, now aged 88, at a correctional facility at Silverwater yesterday (Monday 17 August 2020).

He was charged with three counts of indecent assault on a male.

The charges relate to alleged assaults against a boy in the early 1970s.

The man was remanded in custody to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Thursday.

Teens Charged, Allegedly Robbing, Punching and Threatening Staff with Knife on Beaumont Street

BY ISABEL EVERETT

Two teenagers have been charged after an alleged robbery and assault in Hamilton on Sunday.  

Shortly after 4pm two teenage boys, both 16-years-old, entered a bottle shop on Beaumont Street, and approached a 28-year-old female employee.

When the employee asked the pair to leave the store, police allege one of the teenagers threatened the woman before they took bottles of alcohol and fled the store.

Officers from Newcastle City Police District were called to the scene and began conducting inquiries.

About 6.30pm the same day, police allege the pair were inside a hotel on the same street when they were approached by a 41-year-old male employee.

The employee asked the pair to leave the venue when one of the teenagers allegedly punched him in the face and threatened him with a knife.

Several patrons intervened and the two teenagers exited the venue before allegedly becoming increasingly violent towards other patrons.

Police arrived a short time later and attempted to arrest the pair.

Officers deployed pepper, spray before a short foot pursuit ensued and the teenagers, were arrested and taken to Newcastle Police Station.

One of the teens was charged with two counts of common assault, and one count each of robbery in company, affray and resist officer in execution of duty. He was also charged with outstanding unrelated matters.

The second teen was charged with robbery in company, affray, resist arrest, assault police and a breach of bail offence.

Both were refused bail to face a children’s court on Monday 17 August. 

Driver Caught Allegedly Seven Times the Legal Limit, After Crash at Adamstown

BY ISABEL EVERETT

A driver will appear in court after allegedly returning a breath analysis reading seven times the legal limit, following a crash at Adamstown. 

About 6pm on Friday August 14, Newcastle City Police attended a car crash at the intersection of Teralba Road and Glebe Road, Adamstown. 

The 45-year-old male driver failed to negotiate a turn and crashed into an oncoming vehicle. 

Police submitted him to a breath test which returned a positive result. 

He was arrested and undertook a breath analysis at Newcastle Police Station reportedly returning a reading of 0.350, seven times the legal limit. 

His licence was suspended and confiscated on the spot. 

He will attend court at a later date.