Police Investigating Robbery at Mayfield

BY JARROD MELMETH

Police are investigating a robbery on Mayfield's main street.

Around 7:30pm on Monday night, officers from Newcastle Police Station were called to Hanbury Street responding to reports of an incident.

Police say inquiries are continuing. 

More to come. 

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."

Bar Beach Thief Believed to Be Targeting Elderly Charged

BY ISABEL EVERETT 

A 43-year-old Bar Beach man has been arrested on parole, charged with a number of aggravated break and enter offences, believed to be targeting elderly people. 

Investigations into break and enter offences by Newcastle City Target Action Group has resulted in the arrest of the man, who has been refused bail to face court in May 2020.

Property including cash, jewellery, cameras and postcards have been seized, which police believe has been stolen in recent months. 

Anyone able to identify the owners of the items are being urged to ring police on 02 49266581 and quote event number E73034130. 

Respite Carer Charged Over Alleged Indecent Assault of Two Children

BY ISABEL EVERETT

A respite carer has been charged over the alleged indecent assault of two children near Newcastle.

In October 2018, detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad commenced an investigation, following reports two young girls, aged 6 and 11, had been indecently assaulted by a man on several occasions while they were in his care. 

Police arrested a  69-year-old man at a Newcastle home on Wednesday just before 1pm. 

He was taken to Waratah Police Station and charged with six counts of indecent assault of persons under 16 years of age.

The man has been refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Thursday the 13th of February 2020. 

Anyone with concerns about suspected child abuse or exploitation should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page. 

Police Appeal for Dashcam Footage Following Pedestrian Death

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

Police are seeking the public's help as they investigate the death of a man hit by a truck near Maitland last month.

Around 2pm on Wednesday, March 27 a 58-year-old man was killed when he was struck by a semi-trailer on the Hunter Expressway at Buchanan.

The truck driver was taken to hospital for mandatory testing.

Officers want to hear from anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who may have dashcam footage, particularly from the Pacific Motorway near the Wattaka Rest Stop.

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.

Man Arrested Over Newcastle CBD Bottle Shop Armed Robbery

BY IAN CROUCH

A man is due to front court today over an armed robbery in the Newcastle CBD.

Police say the 21-year-old entered a bottle shop on Hunter Street just after 5pm yesterday and threatened a male employee with a knife before running off with a bottle of alcohol.

About half an hour later, the man was arrested at a bus stop on King Street where a search of his backpack allegedly uncovered the bottle of liquor, a knife and a stolen credit card.

He's been refused bail charged with robbery with an offensive weapon, steal from person and carrying a cutting weapon on apprehension.

Calls For Increased Police Resources Following Maryland Robbery

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery will write to Police Minister Troy Grant to request more resources for local police services following an armed robbery at Maryland Tavern last night.

The latest in a string of robberies saw four armed men enter the venue just after 10:30pm, threatening staff before making off with a sum of cash. They were arrested a short time later.

Extra patrols in Wallsend have had a positive impact on the community in recent months, but Sonia Hornery says local police are struggling with a lack of staff and resources.

The MP says last night's work was down to the quick work of police officers but suggested the result could have been different had the officers not been nearby.

"You can imagine if the police are responding to a crime in Stockton and they need to respond to a major assault in the Maryland area, that's a long way for them to travel."

This is not the first time Ms Hornery has contacted the Police Minister about this issue, which she believes isn't being taken seriously.

"Over the last several rounds of allocations, the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie commands have been granted negligible staff increases while the area continues to grow in population," Ms Hornery said.

"I call on the Minister for Police to take a long, hard look at the Government's police staffing and resource allocation priorities."

The four men involved in last night's robbery were scheduled to appear at Newcastle Local Court today.

Image source: abc.net.au

Horrific crash at Salamander Bay a "tragedy": Police

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

Police have addressed the media in relation to this morning's double fatality at Salamander Bay.

It's been confirmed one man died at the point of impact and another man died a short time later when a Mazda 3 hatchback veered off the road and crashed into a tree at the intersection of George Road and Soldiers Point Road, Salamander Bay, just after 1am.

Police say the two men who survived, both aged 30, remain in the John Hunter with serious injuries including lacerations and fractures. 

Newcastle Superintendent Craig Jackson said crash investigations are continuing, although "there's every indication at this point that speed and alcohol are factors in this particular crash."

The Superintendent refused to be drawn on whether the four men in the car were wearing seatbelts, saying "investigations are ongoing."

He said three of the men involved hail from Queensland, while one is believed to be an Estonian national, although this has not yet been confirmed.

Police used the opportunity to warn against reckless driving behaviour.

"More than 40% of crashes involve speed as a factor," Superintendent Jackson said, "if you've been drinking, don't drive..."

He said the incident was a true tragedy which will go on to impact family and friends of the deceased persons.

"We're going to have mums, dads, sisters, brothers and kids all told their loved one is not coming home," he stated.

Results from the driver's mandatory blood and alcohol tests will not return from the lab for some time yet, while Police intend to work with doctors on a time-frame to question him.

Devastated: Superintendent Craig Jackson. 

Woman Stabbed With Scissors - Lambton

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

A man has faced Newcastle Court today, accused of stabbing a woman multiple times last night with a pair of scissors.

Around 9 o clock, police and paramedics were called to Young Road at Lambton, where they were told the man allegedly choked the 24-year-old woman before stabbing her repeatedly in the chest and neck.

The 23-year-old was arrested at the scene and taken to Waratah Police Station.

The victim was treated at the scene and remains in the John Hunter Hospital in a stable condition.

Police say the man and woman were known to each other.