Second Man Arrested Over The Murder Of Zachery Davies-Scott

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Another man has been arrested over the murder of a young man at Heddon Greta. 

Strike Force Roslyn detectives arrested and charged 25-year-old Talon Dean over the shooing death of Zachery Davies-Scott on Tuesday the 31st of October, 2023. 

Zac, who was 25 at the time, was shot dead inside a home on Traders Way in Heddon Greta, two days after Christmas last year. 

At about 6:00am on Thursday the 2nd of November, 2023, strike force detectives and Raptor Squad police arrested a second 24-year-old man in Cessnock.

He's been taken to Cessnock Police Station and is expected to also be charged with murder. 

The investigation is ongoing. 

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

Strong Winds Whip Up Bush And Grass Fires Across The Hunter

 BY IAN CROUCH

Firefighters were kept busy at the weekend dealing with several bush and grass fires which broke out across the Hunter.

The most serous was at Heddon Greta on Saturday afternoon, where a fire at one stage threatened homes off Main Road, fanned by strong winds gusting up to 70km/h.

Residents along Young Street were advised to prepare to leave their homes, with a Watch and Act alert issued.

Crews managed to contain the fire to 5 hectares,

Elsewhere, grass fires at Jerrys Plains and Clydesdale near Singleton burnt through 6 hectares and 2 hectares respectively, while another grass fire off Hez Drive at Abermain has also been brought under control.

All fires are now at Advice level.

Several Fire & Rescue and RFS crews were called to a bush fire off Main Road at Heddon Greta on Saturday.

Crews were supported by a water-bombing helicopter Pictures: Kearsley Fire & Rescue

Man Charged With Drug And Firearm Offences After Vehicle Stop At Heddon Greta

 BY IAN CROUCH

A man is due to front court in August on drugs and firearm offences after being stopped by police at Heddon Greta.

Patrolling officers stopped a car on Main Road on Tuesday afternoon, with a search of the vehicle allegedly uncovering a firearm, $18,000 in cash, 70g of crystal meth and 34 oxycodone tablets.

The 25-year-old Dungog man faced Cessnock Court on Wednesday charged with 13 offences including four counts of drug possession, knowingly deal with the proceeds of crime and firearms charges.

He was refused bail to face Newcastle Local Court on August 9.  

CCTV Footage Released as Investigation into Fatal Heddon Greta Shooting Continues

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Homicide Squad detectives have released CCTV footage as part of an ongoing investigation into the fatal shooting of a man in Heddon Greta last year. 

25-year-old Zachery Davies-Scott was shot dead at his home on Traders Way at Heddon Greta at about 10:50pm on Tuesday the 27th of December. 

Police have been told a number of people allegedly forced entry into the home before Zachary was shot.

The group then left the scene in a white SUV which was seized by police in February. 

As the investigation continues, police have released CCTV footage showing a male at a service station in Lambton.

They believe he may be able to assist with enquiries. 

He is being described as Caucasian in appearance, of a solid build, with dark hair.

 
He was wearing a black t-shirt with a white Nike logo, black shorts, a baseball cap, a cross-body bag and, white shoes.

We've posted the footage on the 2NURFM Hunter News Facebook page.

Anyone who recognises the man is being asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000

. 

A still image of the footage released by police. 

BREAKING! Car Seized as Part of Heddon Greta Murder Investigations

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Homicide Squad detectives have seized a vehicle this morning, as part of ongoing investigations into the fatal shooting of 25-year-old Zachery Davies-Scott in Heddon Greta late last year.

Strike Force Roslyn detectives seized a white 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander, from a street in Boolaroo near Newcastle about 10am today. 

The vehicle will undergo forensic examination in Newcastle.

Investigations into the incident are ongoing. 

Image: Port Stephens Hunter Police District

UPDATE: Detectives Step Up Investigation Into Fatal Shooting At Heddon Greta

 BY IAN CROUCH AND OLIVIA DILLON

Police have released CCTV footage of a white van, as well as more information in relation to the fatal shooting of a man in Heddon Greta last year. 

Police addressed the media this morning, calling for anyone with information about the lead-up or the event itself, to come forward.   

Police believe a minimum of three people invaded the home of Zac Davies-Scott just before 10:50pm, and then fled the scene in a white SUV, of which they have now released footage. 

The 25-year-old was shot dead in front of his pregnant fiancé, with his two children and other family members close-by in the home

Zac was known to Police and is believed to have been involved in drug-related activities. 

They are now calling it a targeted attack. 

Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty says any information about the incident will assist with the investigation. 

"It was the day after boxing day; people would have seen something or heard something."

EARLIER

Homicide Squad detectives have released CCTV footage as investigations continue into the fatal shooting of a man at Heddon Greta late last year.

Police and paramedics were called to a home on Traders Way just before 11.00pm on Tuesday December 27.

They found 25-year-old Zachery Davies-Scott, also known as Donnie, with a gunshot wound.

Sadly, he died at the scene despite the best efforts of paramedics.

Detectives will address the media on Tuesday morning.

Murder victim Zac Davies-Scott

 

EXCLUSIVE: Young Driver Arrested After Pursuit From Hexham To Heddon Greta

BY IAN CROUCH

A man has a date in court after leading police on a pursuit from Hexham to Heddon Greta early this morning.

Police say the 31-year-old man was driving his mother's Holden Commodore on Maitland Road at about 3.00am when they became concerned about his manner of driving and tried to pull him over.

However, he refused to stop, leading police on a pursuit which allegedly reached speeds of 120 kilometres per hour before he finally pulled over on Main Road at Heddon Greta.

He's been charged with Skye's Law, high range drink driving, consume alcohol while driving  and unlicensed driving and has been granted bail to face Newcastle Local Court on November 15.

 

Police Investigate Bad Crash At Heddon Greta

BY IAN CROUCH

Investigations are continuing into a serious crash at Heddon Greta last night which has left two people in hospital.

Police say an 18-year-old female P-plate driver was travelling east along Main Road just after 6.00pm in a White Nissan Navara Twin Cab ute when she crashed into the back of a stationary White Toyota Corolla.

A 62-year-old man driving the Corolla and a 15-year-old female front seat passenger were trapped for about an hour before being freed by the Cessnock Volunteer Rescue Association and taken to hospital with cuts and suspected spinal injuries.

Police raids uncover hundreds of cannabis plants in Maitland area

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

A major hydroponic operation has been dismantled in the Maitland area following a raid of 6 homes this morning.

Port Stephens-Hunter Police executed crime scene warrants around 8am today on homes in Raworth, Tenambit, Heddon Greta, Aberglasslyn and Chisholm.

Three men and one woman, all Vietnamese nationals, were arrested and taken to Maitland Police Station after their extremely sophisticated hydroponic setups were discovered.

Hundreds of cannabis plants were found in each of the homes, which were set up with fake walls, watering systems, transformers and growing lights.

Strike Force Devom was formed in December last year to investigate a cluster of hydro-houses believed to be in the area.

Hydro-houses are set up to look like ordinary homes- one of the houses raided today was decorated with Christmas lights to blend-in with the family neighbourhood.

Electricians were called in to cut the homes' power supplies, as investigations continue into whether the properties are part of an organised crime gang.