Man Off to Court after Police Pursuit Through Wallsend

BY JESSICA ROUSE

A man will face Newcastle Local Court today after a police pursuit through Wallsend.

At about 3:35pm yesterday police attempted to pull over a Holden Commodore Sedan on Sandgate Road, but the vehicle accelerated away initiating a pursuit.

The pursuit was terminated a short time later due to the manner of driving, but the vehicle was eventually located on Lorna Street, Waratah West.

The 31-year-old driver had fled into nearby swamp land and was found hiding in a creek by Police from the Dog Unit.

The man was discovered to be a disqualified driver and also subject to a firearms prohibition order.

Police searched him allegedly finding a small amount of methylamphetamine and then searched the vehicle allegedly finding a 12 gauge sawn off shotgun.

He was taken to Waratah Police Station where he was charged with possess prohibited drug (x2), drive whilst disqualified, police pursuit (Skye’s Law), possess prohibited firearm, and breach firearm prohibition order (x2).

The 31-year-old was refused bail to face court today.

Worker Threatened With Axe During Shortland Pie Shop Robbery

BY IAN CROUCH

Two men have escaped with the cash till during an armed robbery on a Shortland pie shop early Tuesday morning.

The pair, who had their faces covered, entered the Millers Pie and Sandwich Bar on Sandgate Road just after 4.30am.

One of them threatened the baker with an axe while the other grabbed the till before they fled.

They made their escape in a dark coloured Mazda 3.

The baker was shaken but otherwise unharmed during the hold-up.

Electrical fault sparked Shortland cottage fire

BY IAN CROUCH and JESSICA ROUSE

Fire has caused severe damage to a small cottage at Shortland this morning.

Firefighters from Wallsend, Lambton and Mayfield West were called to the home on Sandgate Road just before 8:30 to find the bathroom engulfed in flames.

It's taken about an hour to extinguish the fire, with the rest of the house damaged by smoke and water.

One occupant was treated at the scene for minor burns.

It's believed an electrical fault sparked the blaze.

Driver escapes serious injury after bizarre crash

BY IAN CROUCH and JESSICA ROUSE

Police say its lucky no one was injured after a spectacular crash at Birmingham Gardens early this morning.

The driver of a car lost control on Sandgate Road near Moore Street just after 2:30am, slamming into three parked cars and a trailer carrying a boat.

The force of the crash caused the boat to topple off the trailer and onto a driveway.

The driver escaped serious injury.