Man Who Allegedly Impersonated Medical Professional Slapped With Extra Fraud Charges

BY ISABEL EVERETT

A man who allegedly used several aliases to defraud clients of ten of thousands of dollars has been charged with eight additional offences, as part of an ongoing investigation in Lake Macquarie.

The 54-year-old allegedly used several aliases – as both a medical professional and a senior business executive – to fraudulently obtain $42,533 from clients between April 2019 and July 2020.

Lake Macquarie detectives established Strike Force Corymbia to investigate the alleged fraudulent offences, and he charged in June 2020.

Following further investigations, detectives arrested the man at a unit in Hamilton South around 6am on Tuesday morning. 

He was taken to Newcastle Police Station and charged with an additional eight offences, including:

• Obtain financial advantage by deception
• Dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception (x2)
• Use false document to obtain property
• Aggravated break and enter commit serious indictable offence (x2)
• Do act intending to pervert the course of justice (x2)

He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Tuesday. 

Investigations under Strike Force Corymbia are continuing.

Anyone who may have information which could assist investigators is urged to come forward.

BREAKING! Fire Engulfs Unit At Hamilton South

BY IAN CROUCH

Fire has caused extensive damage to a unit at Hamilton South.

Firefighters from Newcastle and Merewether were called to the 14 unit complex in Fowler Street at 4.10am on Friday to find a ground floor apartments on fire.

All the residents of the unit block self evacuated and no-one was injured.

It took about 20 minutes to extinguish the fire, which was contained to the unit - crews are still mopping up.

Police are treating the blaze as suspicious and have set up a crime scene.

Innocent Bystander Seriously Injured In Hit And Run At Hamilton South

BY IAN CROUCH

Police are appealing for information after a woman was seriously injured during a hit-and-run incident at Hamilton South.

Police say a white 4-wheel-drive was deliberately driven at two men on the footpath in Fowler Street at about 3.30pm on Wednesday, hitting one of them and leaving him with superficial cuts and abrasions.

However, Chief Inspector Gerard Lawson says the car also hit an innocent bystander.

"...but in the process collided with a 55-year-old woman. That woman's subsequently been taken away to John Hunter Hospital where she's receiving treatment for a serious leg fracture - treatment which will include surgery. The four-wheel-drive then left the area and police would seek assistance from anybody who might know the identity of the driver or the location of that vehicle", he said.

 

Police pursuit through Hamilton

BY IAN CROUCH and JESSICA ROUSE

A pursuit through Hamilton South this morning has landed a man with a date in court.

Patrolling police noticed a Ford Falcon being driven erratically just after midnight on Fowler Street.

The 30-year-old driver allegedly took off but was arrested after short pursuit.

He's been charged Dangerous and Disqualified driving - it's also claimed he was in possession of stolen property.

Hamilton fire being treated as suspicious

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Police are appealing for information after a unit fire in Hamilton South over the weekend.

Emergency services were called to a unit block on Fowler Street on Saturday morning at about 6am, following reports of a fire.

Fire and Rescue NSW attended and extinguished the blaze and a 46-year-old male resident was taken to John Hunter Hospital with minor smoke inhalation.

Officers from Newcastle City Local Area Command have launched an investigation as they're treating the fire as suspicious.

Any witnesses who haven't come forward are urged to contact police, and anyone with any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Woman sets man alight in Hamilton

BY IAN CROUCH and JESSICA ROUSE

Forensic police spent much of yesterday in Hamilton South after a woman allegedly set a man on fire during a domestic dispute.

Police say she doused the 26-year-old man in petrol before using a cigarette lighter to set him alight at a property on Triumph Way.

The man was in a serious condition last night at Sydney's Royal North Shore Hospital but is now listed in a serious but stable condition with critical burns.

The 28-year-old woman also suffered burns during the incident and has since been released from hospital - she's expected to face Newcastle Local Court today.