BREAKING! Ride Share Driver Stabbed At Merewether

BY IAN CROUCH

Police are appealing for public assistance over an alleged stabbing incident at Merewether early Thursday.

Police say a group of people arranged for a ride share driver to pick them up at a Windale address before 2.30am to take them to William Street, Merewether.

It's alleged when the car reached the destination one of the passengers produced a blade and ordered the 22-year-old male driver to hand over the car keys,wallet and mobile phone.

He resisted and was stabbed in the upper arm and leg.

The group then escaped with the man's car - a 2020 silver coloured Ford Focus with the registration BPX 15C

The injured driver called emergency services and was taken to the John Hunter Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

Anyone with information about the car or its occupants is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

UPDATE! Residents Threatened And Bashed During Armed Home Invasion At Raymond Terrace

BY IAN CROUCH

A man has faced court over a violent home invasion at Raymond Terrace.

As we reported yesterday, 2 men and a woman allegedly threatened and assaulted 3 people at the Clare Castle Hotel on William Street just after 12.30am on Monday.

Following extensive inquiries, police went to a home on Cambridge Street at Raymond Terrace at about 7.30am on Monday and arrested a 18-year-old man.

He faced Raymond Terrace Local Court charged with two counts of special aggravated break and enter commit serious indictable offence with a weapon, armed aggravated break and enter with intent, and larceny.

He was granted conditional bail to reappear at Raymond terrace Court on June 9.

The search continues for the other man and woman. 

EARLIER:

Three residents have been bashed during a violent home invasion at Raymond Terrace.

Police say two men and a woman, with their faces covered, went to the Clare Castle Hotel on William Street just after 12.30am on Monday.

They forced their way into one of the rooms, threatening a 23-year-old male resident with a knife and demanding property before assaulting him.

The trio then went to another room and bashed a 28-year-old female with a piece of wood, leaving her with a suspected broken arm.

The bandits went to a third room and threatened and bashed a 26-year-old man before making their getaway in a Mitsubishi Magna sedan.

The car was involved in a brief police pursuit which was terminated for safety reasons - it was later found dumped in Rees James Road.

Police say it was a targeted attack.

UPDATE! Abermain Sporting Complex Severely Damaged By Fire

BY IAN CROUCH.

Cessnock police are appealing for witnesses after a deliberately lit fire destroyed a sporting complex at Abermain.

Wheelie bins were placed underneath the eves of the amenities building at Howe Park in William Street sometime after 6 last night.

The fire quickly spread to the roof and engulfed the building.

Chief Inspector Dave Robinson says the building was used by the local football and cricket clubs.

"It contained their sporting equipment; had the stock in their canteen - all this gear belongs to not-for-profit sporting groups. It's all been lost. So, police are really seeking the assistance of anyone who can give us any information of people who are involved in deliberately lighting this fire, because it's really impacted on our local sporting clubs," he said.


EARLIER:

Fire has severely damaged a sporting complex at Abermain overnight.

Up to 30 firefighters and 8 fire trucks were called to the William Street complex in Howe Park just after 7.00pm on Monday to find the building and an adjoining amenities block well alight.

Crews had to contend with water supply issues, having to relay water by pumping it from truck to truck to get to the blaze.

They managed to get the fire under control by 9 o'clock.

The fire is being treated as suspicious.