Alleged Shoplifter Faces Court After Assaulting Security Guard In Newcastle East

 BY IAN CROUCH

A man is behind bars charged with assaulting a security guard after allegedly trying to shoplift less than $20 worth of food and drink from a Newcastle supermarket.

Police say the man and his girlfriend entered the Woolworths Metro outlet in Newcastle East yesterday (Wednesday 22 October, 2025) and were observed trying to leave the store with a spring roll, flavoured milk and orange juice valued at $17.10 without paying.

It's alleged the security guard tried to stop the woman who shoved him before the male approached and assaulted the guard.

Police were called and arrested a 40-year-old man.

He's due to face court today charged with five offences including assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Police say the man was wanted in relation to other stealing offences.

The woman in her thirties left the store before police arrived.

Investigations are continuing.

 

Police Investigate Suspicious Unit Fire At Newcastle East

 BY IAN CROUCH

Police are treating a fire which destroyed a unit in Newcastle East on Tuesday night as suspicious.

14 Firefighters from three stations were called to the Department of Housing complex on Nobbys Road just before 8.00pm to find an unoccupied sub-ground unit on fire.

Around 20 residents were evacuated from the complex and no-one was injured.

It took crews about 20 minutes to get the fire under control and prevent from spreading to other units.

It's the same unit complex where a man tragically died in a unit fire in March this year.

 

 

Calls to Clean Up Graffiti in Newcastle CBD

BY SHY-ANN ARKINSTALL

Newcastle Councillor Jenny Barrie will raise a motion at tonight's council meeting to propose a joint effort between council and local business owners and residents to clean up the graffiti around the city.

The proposal will suggest sending letters to residents and business owners in the Hunter Mall precinct, urging them to address graffiti on their buildings and to keep the foot path clean outside their property.

Cr Barrie said the current state of the CDB reflects a lack of civic pride among its residents.

Under the proposal, property owners will be footing the bill to clean up the graffiti so owners will either have to remove it themselves or pay someone else to do it.

Council does offer free clean up of offensive graffiti within two days of reporting which can be done on the City of Newcastle website.

"It's a beautiful city and we just need to make sure that crime doesn't take over," said Cr Barrie.

Cr Barrie is urging people to report graffiti or acts of vandalism when they see them.

Residents and Businesses Share Their Grievances at Newcastle 500 Community Meeting

 BY SHY-ANN ARKINSTALL

The Newcastle East Resident Group held a community meeting at City Hall last night to discuss concerns about the Newcastle 500.

Residents and local business owners filled out the Banquet Room and aired their grievances about the Supercars event.

Ash Greenaway, owner of The Lair on Hunter Street, surveyed more than 60 local businesses about the impact the event had on them and just one responded with a positive return.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes says the City of Newcastle is committed to hearing the concerns of the community and will consider them before renewing the event for a further five years. 

Of those surveyed, half had to close for several days while the event was on and lost thousands of dollars before, during, and after the event.

Four businesses even reported losses between $50,000 to $100,000 compared to this time last year.

Many business owners spoke at the meeting with a similar sentiment to their story; the race has resulted in a loss of business and revenue and does more harm than good.

"Instead of enhancing business conditions it actually shuts the city down," said Rowena Foong, owner of High Tea with Mrs Woo. 

Kath Fielden, owner of Fielden Associates, said the event caused disruptions with Wi-Fi and she eventually had to relocate for the time of the event as it was causing too many challenges for their work.

After a motion was put forward by Christine Everingham, spokesperson for the organisers, the group unanimously agreed the Newcastle 500 should not be held in the residential area of Newcastle East.

They also agreed, an independent audit should be conducted to understand the impacts of the event, and a motor racing circuit should be constructed for year-round motor sports events.

City of Newcastle has now employed the consultancy firm KPMG to capture the views of the community to understand the benefits and challenges as seen by locals. 

The results of this will help inform council on decisions regarding the future of the Newcastle 500.

Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp was in attendance, saying he was "here to listen." 

After hearing the concerns voiced at the meeting, Mr Crakanthorp said he will be raising the issues with the new Minister for Sport when the government is sworn-in later this week.

P-Plater Arrested After Newcastle East Crash

 BY IAN CROUCH

A P-plater has a date in court next month after crashing into traffic lights in Newcastle East overnight.

Police say the 22-year-old woman was driving a Mazda 3 at about 10.20pm when she lost control at the corner of Scott and Watt Streets.

It's alleged she returned a positive roadside breath test and was arrested and taken to Newcastle Police Station where she blew point 1-3-2.

She's had her licence suspended and has been charged with mid-range drink driving to face court on April 20.

Police appeal in search for missing woman

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Police are appealing to the public for assistance to help locate a missing woman.

Charity Kelly was last seen in Newcastle East on April 14.

The 39-year-old has ties to the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie areas, as well as Summer Hill.

Anyone with information is being urged to contact police.

Firefighters Called To Disused Church In Newcastle East

 BY IAN CROUCH

Squatters are being blamed for a fire which damaged a disused church in Newcastle East.

Fire crews from Newcastle and Lambton were called to the former St Mark's Chapel in Morgan Street at about 4.15pm on Monday.

Newcastle Fire Command says rubbish had been set alight inside, causing damage to the altar.

The fire was quickly contained before it could spread to the rest of the building, with crews completing fire firefighting duties at 5.30pm.

 

Newcastle CBD Terrace Severely Damaged By Fire

 BY IAN CROUCH

Fire has caused severe damage to the top floor of a Newcastle city terrace house overnight.

Newcastle Fire Command says five fire trucks and a ladder platform were called to the 4 storey building on Scott Street, Newcastle East at about 7.45pm on Tuesday to find a fire in the roof space.

It's taken crews about 2-and-a-half hours to extinguish and mop up the fire.

The occupants of the home and neighbours either side were safely evacuated without injury.

Although the exact cause is not yet known, Police say the fire was accidental and most likely caused by a naked flame.

BREAKING! Man Stabbed Multiple Times Near Newcastle Ocean Baths

 BY IAN CROUCH

Police are appealing for information after a man was found with multiple stab wounds in Newcastle East.

Emergency services were called to Shortland Esplanade near the Ocean Baths at about 9.45pm on Monday, finding an 18-year-old man with several knife wounds to his shoulder and back.

He was taken to the John Hunter Hospital in a serious but stable condition with non life-threatening injuries.

A crime scene was established and the area cordoned off for several hours.

Police believe the victim was with his girlfriend when he was injured in an unprovoked attack - the woman was not injured during the altercation.

Anyone who witnessed the incident is urged to contact Newcastle Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Police examine the crime scene at near the Ocean Baths Picture: newcastleherald.com.au

 

 

BREAKING! Young Woman Seriously Injured After Falling From Appartment Balcony In Newcastle East

BY IAN CROUCH

A young woman has suffered significant injuries after falling from the 4th floor balcony of a unit complex in Newcastle East.

Police and paramedics responded to several triple oh calls to Zaara Street at about 9 o'clock last night, arriving to find the 20-year-old lying conscious on the ground in the courtyard of the complex.

She suffered head, spinal and internal injuries and is now in a serious but stable condition in the Intensive Care Unit at the John Hunter Hospital.

Police say two males who were with the young woman were treated for side effects of an illicit drug and also taken to the John Hunter for treatment.

Police believe all three had taken L.S.D.