Police Appeal For Information to Locate Missing Windale Man

BY JACK SEYMOUR

Police are asking for public assistance to help locate a missing man from Lake Macquarie.

35-year-old Andrew was last seen at Myall Street, Windale on Wednesday January 15.

He's known to use public transport and frequent the Windale, Charlestown, Warners Bay, Hillsborough and Belmont areas.

Anyone with information is being asked to contact Lake Macquarie Police or Crime Stoppers.

Two Years of Inquiries Lead to Maryland Arrest

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

An associate of the Finks outlaw motorcycle gang has been arrested more than two years after officers discovered weapons and ammunition at a Maryland home.

A pistol, two sling shots, ammunition, and firearm parts including a trigger mechanism, suppressor, rifle bolt and shortened barrel were found at the home on Maryland Street during a search in May 2017.

All of the items were forensically examined by specialist police.

Following extensive inquiries, detectives arrested a man outside Maitland Local Court on Tuesday.

The 21-year-old has been charged with possessing an unauthorised firearm, possessing an unauthorised prohibited firearm and two counts of possessing or using a prohibited weapon without a permit.

He was refused bail to face court on Wednesday.

Image: NSW Police Force

Man Charged With Assaulting Paramedic In Mayfield

BY JARROD MELMETH

A man will appear in court next month following the alleged assault of a paramedic in Newcastle yesterday.

About 1:20pm yesterday, ambulance were called to a unit on Bull Street in Mayfield where a man was transported to the Calvary Mater Hospital.

On the way, it's alleged the 32-year-old became abusive towards a female paramedic punching her in the ribs knocking her over in the back of the vehicle.

She managed to escape the attack, through the door of the ambulance, its then alleged the patient followed behind her continuing his verbal abuse before walking away.

Both paramedics reported the matter to police later arrested the man at the Bull Street residence. 

The man was taken to Newcastle Police Station where he was charged with assaulting an ambulance officer.

He was given conditional bail to appear in Newcastle Local Court on May 16.

Man Arrested In Sydney Over Lake Macquarie Sexual Assault

BY JARROD MELMETH

A man will face court today charged over allegedly sexually assaulting two young girls in Lake Macquarie.

An investigation into the man was launched by Detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad following reports two girls aged 8 and 12 were sexually and indecently assaulted by a man known to them.

With the assistance of the Australian Border Force, the 59-year-old man was arrested at the Overseas Passenger Terminal in Sydney's Circular Quay on Monday afternoon.

He was taken to Day Street Police Station where he was charged with two counts of indecent and aggravated sexual assault - victim under 16 years.

Police will allege in court the man sexually and indecently assaulted both girls at a property in the Lake Macquarie area in January this year.

The man was refused bail and is due to appear at Central Local Court today.

Image: Home Affairs.

Calls For Better Motorbike Facilities To Stop Illegal Activity

BY ISABEL EVERETT

A Hunter MP is calling on the State Government to investigate options for better facilities for motorbike riders following a rise in illegal activity.

It comes after two separate incidents over the weekend where a motorcycle was seized after the rider lost control and crashed in the Cessnock CBD.

Another motorcycle was seized after a rider was stopped while carrying an 18-month-old child on his lap while riding.

Police have issued a further warning to riders after receiving a number of complaints of noisy, anti-social and illegal behaviour by riders.

Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery said riders have very few places left where they can ride, especially in the Western Suburbs of Newcastle.

"There are motorbike clubs in the Hunter but none really specifically with land available for that sort of training in the Wallsend electorate, so that's what we're looking for, reaching out to those sorts of facilties that work in the Hunter and in NSW and seeing what we can do here," said Hornery.

Hornery says making more space available for riders would be a good start in combating illegal activity.

"We want bike riders to have a safe place to ride and a place where people can learn. Stockton have some facilities available and I'm going to write to the minister and ask him to look at options to make more land available in the Wallsend area for riders."

Image from the Newcastle Herald

Police investigating fraud and stealing offences in Lake Macquarie

BY JARROD MELMETH

Police are appealing for assistance following a series of stealing and fraud offences in the Hunter.

Between June and July, police say an organised group have targeted retail and fast food outlets in Charlestown, Swansea, Morisett and Wyee, becoming argumentative with employees to confuse and trick them out of cash.

A silver Holden Commodore bearing Victorian license plates has been seen in the vicinity at the time the offences have been committed and is currently of interest to police.

Anyone with information is urged to come forward.

Charlestown MP Takes Action Against Death Threats

BY SARAH JAMES

Charlestown MP Jodie Harrison has taken action after receiving death threats under her office front door in March 2017.

The threatening messages contained in two envelopes said "You are in TREASON, you will be hung until you are dead. No mercy, no prisoners. You are scum".

Ms Harrison immediately reported the matter to police, which led to police arresting disgruntled jewellery business owner Christopher Hardy.

"The reason I decided to press charges was because people come to me for advice on what they should do to stop behaviour that is unsatisfactory to them, and my advice is always to go to the police. It was important that I took my own advice," she said.

Hardy has since been sentenced to a maximum of 16 months' jail with a non-parole period of one year.

While experiencing intimidating behaviour is often part of the job, Jodie Harrison hopes this encounter will send a message to the public.

"It's important that everybody realises it's not satisfactory to threaten anyone."

"I'm very pleased that I've been able to make sure that the workplace for myself and my staff is a safe one," she said.

Jodie Harrison

Man Arrested Over Funny Money At Nelson Bay

BY IAN CROUCH

A man is due to front court today accused of using counterfeit money in the Port Stephens area.

Small business owners at Lemon Tree Passage and Salamander Bay notified police after receiving fake bank notes for purchases.

Following investigations, a 41-year-old man turned himself in at Nelson Bay Police Station on Monday morning.

He's been charged with dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception and breach of bail and has been remanded in custody to appear in Raymond Terrace Local Court today.

Five Vietnamese Nationals To Face Court Over Massive Drug Haul In Maitland Area

BY IAN CROUCH

Five Vietnamese nationals are due to face court today after raids on six homes in the Maitland area allegedly uncovered more than 1400 cannabis plants with an estimated street value of $2.8 million dollars.

Officers from Strike Force Devom raided homes in Raworth, Tenambit, Heddon Greta, Aberglasslyn and Chsiholm, with each house converted into a sophisticated hydroponic growing operation.

Police say most of the homes contained more than 250 plants ranging in size from small seedlings to fully mature.

The five people arrested have all been refused bail to face Maitland Local Court today.

Detectives are now investigating whether all the houses were being operated by a single drug syndicate.

Massive Drug Bust IN Maitland Area Picture: theherald.com.au

UPDATE: Pilot Injured In Light Plane Crash At Luskintyre

BY IAN CROUCH


The pilot of a light plane has been taken to hospital after crash landing at Luskintyre Airfield last night.

The 66-year-old took off in his single-engine de Havilland Canada Chipmunk at about 7.00pm and was about 200 metres off the ground when the aircraft experienced partial engine failure.

He managed to turn the plane around to head back to the airfield, but crash-landed the aircraft on its belly in a nearby paddock.

The pilot suffered minor injuries to his right leg and elbow and was taken to the John Hunter Hospital in a stable condition.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority are investigating the crash.

A de Havilland Canada DHC Chipmunk Similar To The One Involved In A Crash Landing At Luskintyre Airfield

EARLIER
Authorities are investigating a plane crash at Luskintyre.

Emergency services were called to the Luskintyre Airfield at about 7.30pm on Tuesday to reports a light plane had crash landed.

It's understood the male pilot was taken to hospital with a minor leg injury.

The circumstances surrounding the crash are not clear at this stage.

More details to come.

Major Delays On Hexham Bridge After Truck Rollover

BY IAN CROUCH

Emergency Services have removed a 45 tonne crane which topped over on the Hexham Bridge.

Police say the crane was heading up the northbound on-ramp when the crash happened at about 6.30pm on Tuesday.

The driver managed to escape and wasn't injured.

However, there are major delays for drivers on the bridge in both directions.

Police say it appears speed was a factor in the crash.

Crane Rollover On Hexham Bridge Picture Media Response Newcastle

Police Investigate Drive By Shooting At Tenambit

BY IAN CROUCH

There's been another drive-by shooting in the Hunter, the second in two weeks.

Police were called to a home on Clarence Street at Tenambit just after 9.30pm on Tuesday to reports multiple shots had been fired into the house.

No-one was inside at the time and nobody was injured.

Police say it appears to be a targeted shooting.

It comes after shots were fired into a home at Gillieston Heights 2 weeks ago, believed to be bike gang related.

Man Arrested Over Spate Of Thefts Form Cars Around Lake Macquarie

BY IAN CROUCH

Police believe they're caught the culprit responsible for a string of thefts from cars around the Lake Macquarie area.

Over the past few weeks the have been reports of personal property being stolen from several cars at Valentine, Jewells, Gateshead and Belmont North.

It's alleged a stolen car was used during the incidents.

Following inquiries, a 23-year-old man was arrested outside a home in Mount Hutton just after 8.00am on Monday.

He was arrested and taken to Belmont Police Station where he was charged with a host of offences including take and drive a vehicle without consent of owner, driving in a menacing manner, driving while disqualified, assault officer in execution of duty and 14 counts of obtaining property by deception.

He's been refused bail and is due to front Toronto Local Court today (Tuesday 13 February 2018).

Missing Clarencetown Woman Found Safe And Well

BY IAN  CROUCH

A Clarencetown woman missing since last week has been found safe and well.

Leanne Whitby was last seen by relatives on Wednesday afternoon when she left home to travel to a medical appointment.

The 31-year-old sent a text message to a relative the following day saying she was trying to sell her car but hadn't been in contact since, prompting concerns for her welfare.

She was found safe in Mayfield yesterday afternoon and presented herself at Waratah Police Station.

Ms Whitby and has now been reunited with her family and Police say there was nothing suspicious in her disappearance.

Clarencetown Woman Leanne Whitby Found Safe

Fatal Smash Closes New England Highway at Aberdeen

BY IAN CROUCH

UPDATE 9am:

The New England Highway has now reopened in both directions after being closed around five kilometres north of Segenhoe Road.

Diversions for light and heavy vehicles travelling between Scone and Muswellbrook have been lifted, while a reduced speed limit of 60 kilometres is in place.

EARLIER:

One person has died and two others have been injured in a 3-car accident at Aberdeen.

Police say the accident happened on the New England Highway about 5 kilometres north of the town at about 11.45pm on Sunday.

A 25-year-old man died at the scene while a man and woman from the others vehicles were airlifted to the John Hunter Hospital.

The highway remains closed in both directions with diversions in place.

Teen To Face Children's Court Over Gun Theft From Lake Macquarie Home

BY IAN CROUCH

A 17-year-old boy is due to front Children's Court today (Wednesday 7 February, 2018) over the alleged theft of firearms from a Lake Macquarie home.

Police say five shotguns were stolen during a break-in at a home at Hillsborough on December 27 last year.

A 16-year-old boy was arrested the following day and is still in custody.

Further inquiries led officers to a home at Windale yesterday where a 17-year-old boy was arrested and three firearms were recovered.

He's been charged with aggravated break and enter and has been refused bail ahead of his court appearance today.

Police Move To Shut Down Bikie Clubhouse At Islington

BY IAN CROUCH

Heavily armed police have raided the Nomad Bikie Gang clubhouse at Islington.

The Herald reports officers stormed the Chinchen Street clubhouse at about 7.00pm on Monday after the Supreme Court declared it a restricted premises, giving police the power to enter the property at any time.

It also means anyone with a criminal conviction who meets there can be charged.

Police believe it will spell the end of the Nomads clubhouse.

It comes as a bike turf war seems to have reignited, with police saying a drive-by shooting at Gillieston Heights last week appears to be a payback attack.

Police Raid The Nomads Clubhouse At Islington Picture: therherald.com.au

Charges Laid Over Brandy Hill Fatal Crash

BY IAN CROUCH

A 42-year-old man is due to face court next month after yesterday's fatal pedestrian crash at Brandy Hill.

A 17-year-old girl was walking to a bus stop on Warrigal Close at about 7.30am on Monday when she was struck by a Toyota Prado 4 wheel drive.

The driver performed CPR on the girl before paramedics arrived, but she died at the scene.

The 42-year-old man was taken to Maitland Hospital for mandatory blood and urine testing, before being taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station.

He was charged with dangerous driving causing death and negligent driving causing death.

The man was granted conditional bail to appear at Raymond Terrace Local Court on Tuesday 27 March 2018.

His licence was also suspended.

Teen Girl Dies In Pedestrian Accident At Brandy Hill

BY IAN CROUCH

A 15-year-old girl has been tragically killed after being hit by a car this morning at Brandy Hill.

Port Stephens police were called to Warrigal Close at about 7.30am.

Paramedics worked to revive the girl, but she died at the scene.

A man in his 40's who was driving the car has been taken for mandatory testing and is assisting police with their inquiries.

Alleged Pursuit Offender To Face Toronto Local Court

BY IAN CROUCH

A man is due to face today over a high speed pursuit from Edgeworth to Elermore Vale last week.

Officers attempted to stop a Ford Falcon on Minmi Road early last Thursday morning, but the driver sped off and kept going despite the use of road spikes.

He was later arrested by a dog squad officer after dumping his car at Tomago.

The 27-year-old was treated from a bite wound in the John Hunter Hospital.

He's since been charged with three outstanding warrants and three traffic offenses and has been refused bail to face Toronto Local Court.