Greta Bus Driver Facing Additional Charges

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Dozens more charges have been laid against the driver behind the wheel during the Greta wedding bus tragedy.

Prosecutors have revealed 58-year-old Brett Andrew Button will face 63 charges when he appears in Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday.

He's already charged with 10 counts of dangerous driving occasioning death, as well as a back-up charge of negligent driving.

He'll now also face an added 9 counts of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm and negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm.

Police and prosecutors have also charged him with 25 counts of misconduct while in charge of a motor vehicle, in relation to the 25 injured survivors of the crash. 

 

Image: Newcastle Herald

 

Teen Charged After Crashing Motorcycle into Charlestown Shop

BY OLIVIA DILLON

A teenage boy has been arrested after allegedly riding an unregistered motorbike on the footpath at Gateshead before crashing into a shop at Charlestown. 

Police were called to the Pacific Highway at Gateshead at about 8:50am on Thursday the 24th of May,  following reports a motorcyclist was riding on the footpath.

At about 10.15am, officers spotted the rider allegedly driving dangerously near pedestrians on the footpath along the Pacific Highway at Charlestown.

Police arrested the 14-year-old rider after he crashed into the counter of a nearby sporting goods store. 

He's been charged with six offences including reckless driving and use of an unregistered motor vehicle. 

He was granted strict conditional bail to appear before a Children's Court on Monday the 10th of July. 

50 Charged Over New Coal Protest at Sandgate

BY OLIVIA DILLON

All 50 people involved in an anti-coal protest which stopped a train at Sandgate yesterday have now been charged. 

Around 20 people scaled the train which was heading to the Port of Newcastle, and used shovels to unload coal from its carriages. 

Others surrounded the carriage, chanting and waving signs and banners. 

Police say two people damaged property, and a third assaulted a security officer while attempting to gain entry into the rail corridor. 

The protestors were reportedly linked to the Rising Tide climate group. 

The action shut down the line to Kooragang Island for at least three hours.  

Image: Rail Express

Students Rally Behind Maitland Teacher Charged with Assault

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Students rallied in support of a Maitland Grossman High School teacher as he arrived at court today. 

62-year-old Michael Kable is charged with common assault, after police were called to the school on the 21st of March, on reports a student had allegedly been struck by a male teacher.

Supporters say Mr Kable was pushed to his limit and was regularly subject to taunting and abuse from students. 

His matter has been adjourned to the 27th of April while he seeks further legal advice. 

Image: Newcastle Herald

Disgraced Former Swansea MP Milton Orkopolous Found Guilty of Sexual Assault and Drug Supply

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Disgraced former Swansea MP Milton Orkopoulos has been found guilty of 26 more child sexual assault and drug offences, almost 15 years after his last sentence was handed-down. 

After a five week trial in Sydney's Downing Street District Court, a jury has found him guilty of 11 counts of sexual intercourse with a person aged between 10 and 16, and multiple counts of indecent assault and supplying cannabis.

Mr Orkolplous had pleaded not guilty to all charges, and was acquitted of only two. 

It's believed after spending almost 15 years behind bars, Mr Orkopolous is facing at least another decade in goal. 

Image: Damian Shaw

Maitland Teacher Charged After Alleged Classroom Brawl

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Investigations are now underway, after a fight broke-out between a teacher and his students at Maitland yesterday.

Police were called to Maitland Grossman High School at about 2:00pm yesterday, following an alleged classroom brawl between a teacher and multiple pupils.

Smartphone footage of the event shows a physical altercation where punches were thrown and a table was launched at the teacher. 

A teenage boy who was dealt multiple blows was assessed and deemed uninjured. 

Police have confirmed this morning, the teacher has been charged over the alleged assault.

The Department of Education is investigating. 

 

A student filmed the brawl and shared the footage. (Nine News)

Women Charged Over Adamstown Fire

BY OLIVIA DILLON

 

A woman has been arrested and charged, following a suspicious fire at Adamstown last year.

Emergency services were called to a property on Dibbs Steet at about 4:30am on Tuesday the 26th of April, following reports of a fire.

Upon arrival, police found a number of vehicles alight, with fire spreading to a nearby three-bedroom house.

Several vehicles and the house were destroyed, however, no one was injured as a result of the blaze.

A crime scene was established and detectives established Strike Force Tinebank to investigate.

Following inquiries, police arrested a 27-year-old woman at Thomas Street in Cardiff, at about 11:30am yesterday. 

 

The woman's been charged with several offences, including destroying property in company using fire, possession of prohibited drugs, and custody of a knife in a public place. 

  

She was refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court today. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Drugs Seized from 22 Year-Old in Hamilton South

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Charges have been laid after a a 22 year-old man was arrested in Hamilton South over the weekend. 

Police stopped a suspicious vehicle during a patrol at about 11:35 on Saturday night, and discovered over 50 grams of methylamphetamine, cannabis and cocaine. 

The drugs were seized by police, and are estimated to be valued at more than $30,000. 

The man was also charged with having custody of a knife in a public place. 

He was refused bail and will appear in Newcastle Local Court today. 

Man charged after double fatal Tea Gardens crash

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A man is facing negligent driving charges after a double fatal crash near Port Stephens in March. 

Emergency services were called to the Pacific Highway at Tea Gardens on March 24, after reports of a crash involving two cars and a motorcycle. 

An Isuzu D-Max utility travelling southbound collided with a motorcycle and a Toyota station wagon, both travelling northbound. 

Both the male motorcyclist died at the scene and the female driver of the Toyota died at the scene 

A female passenger of the Toyota was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to the John Hunter. 

Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District established a crime scene, which was examined by specialist officers from the Crash Investigation Unit. 

Officers arrested a 59-year-old man at Raymond Terrace Police Station on Thursday morning. 

The man now faces a series of charges, including that he crossed the dividing line.

He was given conditional bail to appear before Raymond Terrace Local Court in July. 

Image credit: 9News.