Singleton Mother Kathleen Folbigg Has Her Convictions Quashed

BY OLIVIA DILLON

The NSW Court of Criminal Appeal has quashed Singleton mother Kathleen Folbigg's convictions over the deaths of her four children. 

It comes after she was granted an unconditional pardon back in June, after having served almost 20 years in gaol. 

She had been convicted of three counts of murder and one of manslaughter. 

But, Justice Andrew Bell said new scientific evidence had brought to light reasonable doubt about her guilt, and it is appropriate she be acquitted.  

Speaking outside the court, the 56-year-old said it's been a long time coming. 

"For almost a quarter of a century, I faced disbelief and hostility.

I hoped and prayed that one day I would be able to stand here with my name cleared."

Justice Bell also noted how a Special Commission of Enquiry into Ms. Folbigg's case, heard it would be unreliable to rely on her diary entries as admissions of guilt.

She said there were legal avenues to prove her innocence back in 1999, and she never should have been put behind bars.

"Those books contained my private feelings which I wrote to myself. No one expects those types of things to be read by strangers, let alone opinionated on. 

They took my words out of context and used them against me; they accused me of something I never wrote about, never did, and never would do. 

I hope no one else will ever have to suffer what I have suffered," she said. 

Image: Newcastle Herald

Man Found Guilty Of Murdering Stockton Grandmother Stacey Klimovitch

BY OLIVIA DILLON

A jury has reached its verdict in the case of a man accused of murdering Stockton Grandmother Stacey Klimovitch. 

48-year-old Jason Paul Hawkins has been found guilty of shooting the 61-year-old at the front door of her home in 2021.

He's the second man convicted over the shooting, with 65-year-old Stephen John Garland last month being found guilty of driving Mr. Hawkins to the Queen Street address. 

They're both due to be sentenced in February. 

Kathleen Folbigg To Face Possible Appeal For Her Convictions

BY OLIVIA DILLON

An appeals court will likely consider overturning Singleton mother Kathleen Folbigg's convictions over the deaths of her four children, following the release of the final report on the matter. 

The 55-year-old was earlier this year released from gaol and pardoned, after having served 20 years in prison for killing her 4 children; Caleb, Patrick, Sarah and Laura. 

She was released after an inquiry heard there was evidence her children could have died from natural causes and there was reasonable doubt about her guilt.

In his report, Inquiry Commissioner Tom Bathurst KC found there was an identifiable cause for three of the deaths. 

He also said Ms. Folbigg's diary entries should not have been used during her trial. 

Mr. Bathurst has confirmed he will refer the matter to the Court of Criminal Appeal. 

Image: Supplied

Maitland Grossman High School Teacher Has Assault Conviction Overturned

BY OLIVIA DILLON

A high school teacher who was earlier this year found guilty of assaulting a student at Maitland Grossman High School has had his conviction overturned. 

63-year-old Michael John Kable was sentenced to a Community Correction Order in July, after he pleaded guilty to punching the student in the back of the head on the 21st of March, 2023. 

The conviction meant he would not have been able to continue teaching. 

However, in Newcastle District Court today, Judge Peter McGrath said although the assault was serious, Mr. Kable had been severely provoked in the lead-up to the incident. 

His appeal has been granted and he's been handed an 18-month good behaviour bond without conviction. 

Michael John Kable
Image: Newcastle Herald

Maitland Grossman High School Teacher Convicted of Common Assault, Despite Remorse

BY OLIVIA DILLON

The high school teacher from Maitland captured on video in a brawl with a student has learned his fate. 

A court heard 62-year-old Michael John Kable, had shown genuine remorse after admitting to the assault of a boy at Maitland Grossman High School on the 21st of March this year.

Presiding Magistrate Ron Maiden said he accepted Mr. Kable has been taunted by his class, was remorseful, and was unlikely to re-offend, but believed a conviction was warranted. 

He's been formally convicted of common assault and placed on an 18-month community corrections order. 

Ron Maiden said he believed it would be difficult for Mr. Kable to find another teaching job after the conviction, where Working with Children Checks were needed. 

Image: Newcastle Herald

Kathleen Folbigg's Legal Team Push for Parole

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Singleton mother Kathleen Folbigg's legal team have launched a bid for her to be released on parole, pending the final report on the enquiry into her convictions over the death of her four children. 

Although the head of the inquiry, former NSW Chief Justice Tom Bathurst has yet to deliver his report to the Governor, the Director of Public Prosecutions has already accepted new evidence has given rise to a reasonable doubt about the 55-year-old's guilt. 

Fobigg's solicitor Rhanee Rego has called on NSW Premier Chris Minns and the Attorney General to release her as soon as possible. 

It comes after a former Newcastle Woman of the Year and staunch supporter of Fobigg said she's waiting by the phone to hear she's been released from prison. 

Helen Cummings said she believes the case will go down as the worst examples of wrongful conviction in the history of New South Wales. 

Image: The Australian

'Reasonable Doubt' Exists in Kathleen Folbigg Case, Inquiry Told

BY OLIVIA DILLON

The inquiry into the convictions of Singleton mother Kathleen Folbigg has heard there is reasonable doubt of her guilt. 

The 55-year-old was gaoled in 2003 over the deaths of her four children.

However, the enquiry has heard today there is a strong plausible case for each child's death, including a rare genetic mutation found in two of Folbigg's daughters. 

It's also been submitted, her son Patrick may have died from an underlying neurogenetic disorder such as epilepsy. 

In addition, it's possible explanations for the deaths of those three children, could undermine the tendency reasoning used to convict Folbigg of her son Caleb's manslaughter.

The hearing has also heard evidence suggests it would be unreliable to interpret some of her diary entries as submissions of guilt. 

If reasonable doubt is found when closing submissions end, the case could be referred to the Court of Criminal Appeal, which may quash Folbigg's convictions.

A pardon could also be recommended, which would see Folbigg released from prison. 

Image: Canberra Times

Jarryd Hayne Taken Into Custody as he Awaits Sentencing over the Sexual Assault of Newcastle Woman in 2018

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Former NRL star Jarryd Hayne has been taken into custody after having his bail revoked as he awaits sentencing. 

The former Eels star was earlier this month convicted of sexual assaulting a women in Newcastle on the night of the 2018 NRL Grand Final. 

The court previously heard Hayne was targeted by others in custody because of his public profile.

However, the Director of Public Prosecutions made a Supreme Court detention application to immediately place him behind bars.

Hayne continues to maintain his innocence despite the conviction.

Image: NewsWire