BREAKING! Police Break Up Large Group Of Rioting Youths At Charlestown

 BY IAN CROUCH

Police have been threatened by rioting teenagers at Charlestown overnight.

Two officers issued a move on direction to a juvenile at the skate park on Pearson Street just before 7.30pm on Thursday but were soon surrounded by a large group of up to 50 youths who began spitting at the police vehicle and jostling the officers while filming on their mobile phones.

The officers called for back-up, with 11 police cars attending including two police dogs.

It's taken a couple of hours to disperse the group.

Four teens were arrested - three will be dealt with under the Young Offenders Act and one will face the Children's Court at a later date charged with disobeying a move along directive, offensive behaviour and resisting arrest. 

Police are not ruling out more arrests and are reviewing CCTV footage of the incident.

Twenty-One Inmates Charged Over Riot at Cessnock Gaol

BY ISABEL EVERETT

Police have charged 21 inmates following investigations into a riot at Cessnock Correctional Centre earlier in the year.

Around 11.30am on April 30th, a number of inmates allegedly caused significant damage to the correctional centre, and were on the roof of the premises.

Police allege the men threatened unlawful violence towards Corrective Services NSW staff and damaged several areas of the facility, including the ceiling, doors and roof, along with items inside.

The damage is estimated to be valued at more than $130,000.

No police response was requested at the time.

In May, officers commenced an investigation into the incident, issuing Court Attendance Notices (CAN) to all 21 men – all aged between 22 and 39 – for the offences of riot and participate in criminal group.

19 of the men are due to appear at Cessnock Local Court on Thursday July 30th.

A 32-year-old man was arrested at Surry Hills Police Station and served a CAN on Wednesday July 29th.

He was refused bail to appear at Central Local Court on Thursday July 30.

A 39-year-old man was arrested at a home in Tamworth and served a CAN earlier this month.

He was refused bail and appeared at Tamworth Local Court on Friday 3 July 2020 where he was granted conditional bail to next appear at the same court on Monday 24 August 2020.

Of the 21 men;

• Nine were served a CAN at a correctional facility at Goulburn (aged 22-39)
• Six were served a CAN at a correctional facility at Cessnock (aged 24-32)
• A 24-year-old man was served a CAN at a correctional facility at Kempsey
• A 28-year-old man was served a CAN at a correctional facility at Wellington
• A 33-year-old man was served a CAN at a home in Hamilton South
• A 32-year-old man was served a CAN at a home in Gosford

Prisoners Riot Over Loss Of Illicit Drug Supply At Cesnock Gaol

BY IAN CROUCH

Calm has been restored at Cessnock Gaol after a riot broke out.

A group of inmates at the Shortland H-Block began locking themselves in rooms and lighting fires on the roof at about 11.15am on Thursday.

They were demanding opioid substitution therapy to deal with drug withdrawals caused by the loss of supply of illicit drugs, after personal visits were suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Corrective Services says officers were eventually able to secure the inmates back to their cells.

No staff or inmates were injured.