Hand-cuffed Prisoner Makes a Run For It in Maitland

BY JESSICA ROUSE

A prisoner's attempt to escape police custody hasn't quite gone to plan.

The 21-year-old was taken back to Maitland Police Station yesterday after facing Maitland court charged with alleged stealing, and while handcuffed and being taken out of a police van he made a run for it.

He managed to get to the back of the police compound and tried to scale a perimeter fence but police were hot on his heels and dragged him down.

While getting him down, the man cut his hand and was taken to hospital for first aid treatment.

The man was then charged with attempted escape lawful custody.

The 21-year-old was originally charged with allegedly stealing the cigarette machine from Shenanigans in Maitland on November 14. He was refused bail in court.

Image triplem.com.au

Man at the Centre of Road Rage Incident Handed 2-year Good Behaviour Bond

BY JESSICA ROUSE

The driver who pleaded guilty to a road rage incident in Sandgate has been handed a two year good behaviour bond.

Shane Nicholson from Branxton faced Maitland Court yesterday where he was also ordered to pay $2600 worth of fines and was disqualified for 18 months from driving.

The 37-year-old deliberately rammed a driver on Maitland Road back in August.

He said he just "lost it" after video of the incident went viral.

EARLIER:

Accused Sandgate Road Rage Driver Pleads Guilty

Footage of the incident went viral.

More Arrests Made Over Terrifying Abermain Armed Robbery

BY JESSICA ROUSE

More charges have been laid over a terrifying hold-up at Abermain Bowling Club earlier this year.

Detectives have charged two more people over the June 19 robbery where a female employee was allegedly tied up with duct tape and $16-thousand dollars was stolen.

The State Crime Command's Robbery and Serious Crime Squad arrested a 33-year-old Weston man and a 29-year-old woman from Pelaw Main yesterday.

The man was refused bail and appears in Maitland Local Court today, the woman was also refused bail and will front Cessnock Local Court today.

They're not the first arrests over the incident, a 35-year-old man was arrested the day after the incident and charged with robbery whilst armed with a dangerous weapon, maliciously damage vehicle by fire, stealing and a number of traffic offences.

He is still before the courts.

Another man arrested over violent East Maitland home invasion

BY JESSICA ROUSE

A second man has been arrested over a violent home invasion in East Maitland on Monday night.

Central Hunter Police arrested a 17-year-old boy at Seaham yesterday - he's since been granted bail and will face the Children's Court next month.

The boy is allegedly one of three people who forced their way into a home in Curtain Street earlier this week, punching and kicking a 20-year-old man to the ground.

19-year-old Jordan Hillier who was arrested by police on Molly Morgan Drive shortly after the home invasion, fronted Maitland Local Court yesterday.

He was granted strict conditional bail and the matter was adjourned to Newcastle Local Court on May 31.

Hunter Man Allegedly Buys Illegal Drugs with Stolen Meat

BY GEORGIA LUPTON

In an unusual trade, a Hunter man has allegedly used stolen meat to purchase illegal drugs.

The 27-year-old allegedly stole 16 meat products worth $253 and 3 cooler bags from a Rutherford supermarket.

Police analysed CCTV footage which led them to an Alexandra Avenue, Rutherford address.

Police attended the residence where the man was arrested, who then allegedly admitted to trading the stolen meat for cannabis.

The cooler bags were found at the property.

The offender was taken to Maitland Police Station where he was charged with trespassing and theft.

He was granted conditional bail and is expected to appear at Maitland Local Court on the 16th of January.

The man has reportedly been banned from the same supermarket chain's Tamworth store due to an alleged theft.

UPDATE: Central Hunter LAC raids in Abermain

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Several people will front Maitland Local Court today after  numerous search warrants in the Abermain area were carried out yesterday.

48 police from the Central Hunter Local Area Command's Strike Force Oleria searched properties in Abermain, Weston and Chisholm at around 8:15 yesterday morning.

Strike Force Oleria have been investigating the supply of prohibited drugs since October this year, and carried out six search warrants and six crime scene warrants in relation to prohibited drug operations.

Among those arrested were five men aged 21, 55, 31, and two 23 year old as well as a 33 year old and 20 year old woman - all arrested with drug and firearm charges. One 51 year old woman is being questioned.

Charges included supply prohibited drug - large commercial quantity, supply prohibited drug - indictable quantity, possess shortened firearm and possess prohibited pistol. 

Police allegedly located and seized numerous items including a handgun, two 12 gauge shotguns, an air rifle, a sawn off .22 rifle, a shortened .22 calibre rifle, assorted ammunition, an extendable baton, an amount of methylamphetamine, cannabis leaf, a number of mobile phones, laptop computers, storage devices, a Honda 125cc motorcycle, and personal documentation.  

                                     Images courtesy of NSW Police Force Facebook page.

Man Faces Court After Thornton House Search

BY GEORGIA LUPTON

A man is expected to face Maitland Local Court today, following the execution of a search warrant at a property in Thornton.

Police searched the Campden Street property around 8am yesterday morning seizing a number of items including a "single-shot pen gun".

The 39-year-old offender was arrested and taken to Maitland Police Station.

The man was charged with supply large commercial quantity of prohibited drug, three counts of possess prohibited drug, possess unregistered firearm, possess ammunition without holding licence/permit, and possess prohibited weapon.

He was refused bail.

Man Charged Over Maitland Stabbing

BY GEORGIA LUPTON

A 46-year old man has been charged with reckless wounding after allegedly stabbing a 50-year old man in the carpark of the PENDER PLACE SHOPPING CENTRE.

Paramedics were called to the carpark at around 5pm yesterday where two men were involved in an altercation.

The 50-year old victim suffered non life-threatening chest injuries.

Police searched nearby streets where they allegedly found the 46-year old man in possession of a knife.

It is believed the two were drinking buddies, with an argument alleged to have begun at a nearby hotel.

The accused was refused bail and will appear in Maitland Local Court today.