Man Charged Over Upper Hunter Shooting

 BY IAN CROUCH

A man is due to face court today (Thursday 9 October, 2025) over the alleged shooting death of a man in the Upper Hunter.

Emergency services were called to a property on Rotherwood Road at Cassilis just before 9.00am yesterday to reports a man had sustained a gunshot wound while hunting.

Paramedics attended the scene and declared the 71-year-old man deceased.

Following inquiries, a 63-year-old man was arrested and taken to Muswellbrook Police Station where he was charged with manslaughter and fire firearm likely to injury persons or property.

He's been refused bail ahead of his court appearance today.  

 

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

'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

Man To Face Court Over Death Of Singleton Toddler 16 Years Ago

BY IAN CROUCH

A man is due to face court today (Tuesday 28 September, 2021) charged with manslaughter over the alleged death of a toddler at Singleton 16 years ago.

21-month-old Jordan William Thompson was found unresponsive when his mother returned from running errands in March 2005.

He'd been left in the care of her then partner.

Jordan's mother rushed him across the road to Singleton Hospital but he could not be revived.

Police were told Jordan was found face down in a bathtub, however a post mortem found high levels of anti-depressant medication in his system.

After a $100,000 reward was offered for information, detectives arrested a 49-year-old man at a Doonside home on Monday afternoon.

He's been refused bail to face Blacktown Local Court today.

Police arrested a 49-year-old man at Doonside in Sydney's west

Man Facing Manslaughter Charges Over Double Fatal Crash At Salamander Bay

 BY IAN CROUCH

 A man has been charged with manslaughter over the deaths of an elderly couple in a crash at Salamander Bay two months ago.

Police say the 44-year-old was driving a Holden Commodore which collided with a Toyota Aurion at the roundabout on Salamander Way at about 2pm on August 26.

The couple in the Toyota, 77-year-old Robyn Thompson and her 80-year-old husband, Ron were treated by paramedics but sadly died at the scene.

The Holden driver from Tanilba Bay was taken to the John Hunter Hospital with a non-life threatening head injury.

He's now been charged with 11 offences including two counts each of manslaughter and dangerous driving occasioning death and has been refused bail to face Raymond Terrace Local Court on January 18. 

 

The crash scene on Salamander Way in August Picture: NBN News