45 Additional Assault Charges Laid Against Newcastle Man

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

A Newcastle man already before the courts is now facing 45 additional sexual assault charges.

The 32-year-old was first arrested in August and charged with 10 offences, following investigations into reported indecent assaults alleged to have occurred between 2005 and 2014.

Following further inquiries, officers on Wednesday arrested the man for a second time.

The new charges include 26 counts of aggravated sexual assault and 7 counts of inciting an underage person to commit an indecent act.

He remains bail refused and will face the new charges at Newcastle Local Court on December 19.

Newcastle Man Allegedly Supplied Drugs, Alcohol Before Assaulting Teenager

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

Detectives began investigations earlier this month after a 15-year-old girl presented to John Hunter Hospital with neck injuries, where she reported she had been sexually assaulted by a man known to her.

Following extensive inquiries, a 21-year-old man was arrested at Waratah Police Station just after 6 o'clock on Thursday night.

It was the second arrest made yesterday in the Hunter by detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad.

The man has been charged with aggravated sexual assault – inflict actual bodily harm on victim, and two counts of aggravated sexual assault – victim under the age of 16 years.

Officers will allege in court the man supplied the victim with alcohol and prohibited drugs before choking her and sexually assaulting her in a car in the Newcastle area on Wednesday, June 5th.

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

Hunter Man Arrested Over Sexual Assault of Teenager

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

Police are urging parents to speak with their children about online safety following the arrest of a man in the Hunter over the sexual assault of a teenage boy.

In December last year, detectives began investigating reports a 14-year-old boy had been sexually assaulted by a man he met on a social media application.

The incident was reported to local police before being referred to the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad for further investigation.

Following inquiries, officers arrested a 27-year-old man at a home in Buttai around 9:30 Thursday morning.

He was taken to Maitland Police station and charged with two counts of sexual intercourse with a child between the ages of 14 and 16.

Officers will allege in court the man sexually assaulted the boy, then aged 14, in a vehicle in the Hunter region.

The alleged offender was formally refused bail in Maitland Local Court on Thursday is due to reappear at Cessnock Local Court today.

Police are asking parents and carers to speak with their children about staying safe online.

Police Ramp up Investigations Into Sexual Assault in the Hunter

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Lake Macquarie Local Area Command has stepped up their investigations into sexual assault in the Hunter region.

Police have launched Strike Force Geelan to investigate the sexual and indecent assault of women.

It comes after a Gateshead photographer was arrested and charged for allegedly sexually assaulting women who modelled for him in his studio between 2012 and June this year. 

Police say they seized 300,000 images from the 54-year-old of which the majority were of an explicit nature. He is now before the courts.


Officers would like to speak with anyone who believes they may be able to assist with the investigation.

Gateshead Photographer Refused Bail

BY JESSICA ROUSE

The Newcastle photographer accused of sexually assaulting women in his studio has been refused bail in court this morning.

Allan Todd Cameron, the 54-year-old runs photography company Primeval Edge. He says on the company's website he is interested in styles which "capture my interest" including casual fashion, bikini, and lingerie which looks to include nude photography.

Police commenced an investigation after a then 19-year-old woman allegedly told police she was sexually assaulted during a photo shoot at the Gateshead studio. Cameron is accused of assaulting two other women as well.

Police Prosecutor Adam Checkley opposed a conditional release this morning reasoning he posed an "unacceptable risk to the community" considering the number of victims, the time period and the nature of the allegations.

Police say they seized a laptop which contained more than 300,000 images - many of them were allegedly sexually explicit.

He attended Belmont Police Station yesterday where he charged with eight counts of assault with act of indecency, four counts of sexual intercourse without consent, two counts of procure person not prostitute for prostitution, and three counts of incite person 16 years or over to commit act of indecency.

He;s due to face court again via video link on December 13.

Investigations are continuing.

EARLIER:

BY IAN CROUCH

A Gateshead photographer accused of sexually assaulting models during photo shoots is due to face court today.

The 54-year-old is accused of assaulting three women at his Sydney Street studio in 2012 and June this year.

Detectives seized a computer containing more than 300,000 images - police say many were sexually explicit.

The man was arrested after attending Belmont Police Station yesterday and has been refused bail to face Newcastle Local Court today.

He's been charged with eight counts of assault with act of indecency, four counts of sexual intercourse without consent, two counts of procure person not prostitute for prostitution, and three counts of incite person 16 years or over to commit act of indecency.

Gateshead Photographer To Face Court On Sex Assault Charges.

BY IAN CROUCH

A Gateshead photographer accused of sexually assaulting models during photo shoots is due to face court today.

The 54-year-old is accused of assaulting three women at his Sydney Street studio in 2012 and June this year.

Detectives seized a computer containing more than 300,000 images - police say many were sexually explicit.

The man was arrested after attending Belmont Police Station yesterday and has been refused bail to face Newcastle Local Court today.

He's been charged with eight counts of assault with act of indecency, four counts of sexual intercourse without consent, two counts of procure person not prostitute for prostitution, and three counts of incite person 16 years or over to commit act of indecency.

Newcastle GP Pleads Not Guilty to Sexual Assault of 46 Women

BY JESSICA ROUSE

A Newcastle immunologist accused of sexually assaulting 46 women has pleaded not guilty.

Dr Jeremy Coleman's trial is underway in Newcastle District Court where he stands accused of assaulting the 46 women at his Watt Street clinic between 1989 and 2013, where he treats skin conditions and allergies.

Newcastle District Court has heard he conducted internal examinations with no medical purpose whatsoever - he would allegedly shift the conversations in his consultation room from allergies and immunology to sex.

His defence barrister Pauline David is disputing any examination was done without a proper medical purpose and claims every time he touched a patient it was solely medical purpose.

The court heard the 64-year-old often didn't wear gloves, watched his victims get undressed, touched them inappropriately and even encouraged some patients to get down on all fours and stick their bottoms in the air so he could inject nasal spray.

Coleman has seen 40,000 patients during his 40 year career and conducted 150,000 consultations.

The trial is expected to last six months.

Image abc.net.au

Newcastle a hotspot for sexual assault

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Most types of crime have fallen across the state over the last two years, but Newcastle and Lake Macquarie appear to be problem areas for crime with an increase.

The NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research have released their quarterly update and according to their statistics, five types of crime have significantly increased including sexual assault, indecent assault, break and enter (non-dwelling), steal from vehicles and malicious damage to property.

Director of the bureau Dr Don Weatherburn says Newcastle and Lake Macquarie differ from most regional areas across the state.

"Five categories of crime have increased in Newcastle and it's the only place other than Broken hill which showed that many increases in crime. So they were, for example, a 13 per cent increase in sexual assault, 27 per cent increase in indecent assault which are quite remarkable and disappointing results."

Sexual assault and indecent assault are particularly on the up, with a 13 per cent increase in sexual assault and a 27 per cent increase in indecent acts/assault.

Chief Inspector Dean Olsen says a rise in people reporting incidents has contributed to the higher statistic for Newcastle.

"Traditionally it is a crime that can be under-reported. We want people to have the confidence in the police that they can come forward and report these matters. We regularly, over the last couple of years, have been taking reports of historical complaints of sexual assault and indecent assault."

He adds in terms of malicious damage offences, in which there was a 19.2 per cent increase across Newcastle according to the statistics, it's often a case of the same offenders committing large amounts of the same crime.

"We've had a couple of evening in the last six months where groups of offenders have committed large amounts of malicious damage offences. One in particular where up to 70 motor vehicles were damaged. Due to assistance from the press and the public and good diligent police work we've arrested offenders in relation to that one," said Chief Inspector Olsen.

While the statistics show a significant number, over the past six years Chief Inspector Olsen says there's really been a reduction in the vast majority of categories year upon year.

"Statistics are something you can look at a whole range of angles on. We are quite vigilant, as most police commands are across the state. Any opportunity that we can do to implement a tactic or a strategy to bring down crime, we leave no stone unturned that's for sure."

NSW Labor calling for sexual assault education

BY JARROD MELMETH and JESSICA ROUSE

Shocking statistics released by the Human Rights Commission on sexual assault at university campuses yesterday show 55 per cent of students at The University of Newcastle (UON) had been sexually harassed on campus.

The statistics have been compiled from data gathered in 2016 which found within the 55 per cent of students who had been assaulted, over half had little to no knowledge of where to get support.

Additionally, 92 per cent of the respondent from UON didn't seek support for sexual harassment, with the most common reason being ' I did not think it was serious enough'.

Maitland MP and Shadow Minister for The Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jenny Aitchison is calling on the State Government to do more in a bid to stop the prevalence of harassment and assault on campus.

Shadow Minister for Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
Jenny Aitchison Image smh.com.au

The MP says the key to stopping sexual assaults on university campuses is early education.

"Because these kinds of crimes don't start just in university, the attitudes and believes that underpin that terrible crime are actually present at a much younger age so we think it's important to address some and the education system needs to start engaging with students," said Jenny Aitchison.

NSW Labor has pledged to join "Our Watch", a joint initiative established to drive nation-wide change in the cultures underpinning violence against women.

"NSW is the only state that has so far not joined up to "Our Watch" and what that does is it provides the support for innovative programs for example "Respect for Relationships' from K-12 have been rolled out in Victoria which was based on a pilot developed through "Our Watch" so its about having the best evidence based programs out there," said Jenny Aitchison.

The statistics released yesterday also stated 78 per cent of perpetrators were fellow UON students, and that public transport was a particularly concerning area where assaults had taken place.

"It accrues right across the spectrum, the report has identified that public transport has been an area of concern for students and risks for students and where assaults and harassment have occurred. The government has a responsibility to ensure that everyone who uses our public transport system is safe from harassment or assault," said Jenny Aitchison.

Historical sexual abuse charges

BY JESSICA ROUSE

An 82-year-old Hamilton man has been arrested after investigations into alleged historical sexual assaults of three children between 1976 and 1992.

Following inquiries the man was taken to Newcastle Police Station yesterday and charged with several charges including seven counts of assault female and commit act of indecency aged under 16 years, attempt buggery, buggery, three counts of sexual assault - assault and commit act of indecency, and four counts of assault with act of indecency.

He has been given conditional bail and faces court in mid June.

Man charged over historical child abuse

BY JESSICA ROUSE

A man has been arrested and charged for allegedly assaulting three teenage boys in Dora Creek in the 1990s.

Police allege a 34-year old man sexually assaulted the boys aged 14, 15 and 17 at the time in his home.

An investigation got underway after police attached to the Lake Macquarie unit received information about the alleged assaults.

At about 8am last Sunday (30 April 2017), police attended Morisset Showground and arrested the man taking him to Toronto Police Station.

He appeared in court this week, and was remanded in custody to appear in Newcastle Local Court in late June.

The University of Newcastle Tight-Lipped about Sexual Assault

BY RACHEL STORER

UON slammed about 'bare minimum' of sexual assault reports. Image: theherald.com.au

The University of Newcastle is being criticised by advocacy group End Rape on Campus (EROC) Australia for a lack of transparency about complaints of sexual assault and harassment and a poor resolution model for victims.

The report stems from Channel Seven's freedom of information investigation last year, of all 39 universities in Australia,

UON is being slammed as tight-lipped in relation to their 14 cases of sexual complaints from 2014 to 2016 in comparison to other universities such as the University of New England. UON provided "the absolute bare minimum" of information to the investigation said Nina Funnel, co-author of the EROC Australia report.

"[The University of Newcastle] provided some very vague summary data but didn't provide anywhere near the level of detail other universities were willing to provide," said Ms Funnel.

There are also great concerns regarding the University's "one-size-fits-all" resolution model for dealing with incidents of sexual assault and harassment.

Ms Funnel says the most disturbing step of the complaint process was the recommendation of informal mediation.

"Expecting a rape victim to sit down and have a cup of tea with the person who raped them and trying to resolve the matter is highly inappropriate."

The Women's Convener at the Newcastle University Students Association, Lucinda Iacono, also shares concerns about the current handling of sexual assaults and harassment on campus.

"It's out there now. [The University] needs to start taking this seriously and treating it as a real issue rather than something they can sweep under the carpet", she said.

Ms Iacono doubts the 14 reported cases represent the real issue on campus saying "we've had at least eight people in the last year come to us to report sexual assault because of the way the University has reportedly handled things".

"Mediation might be appropriate in the case of bullying but that is wholly inappropriate for sexual assault cases", Ms Iacono said.

Ms Funnel who is also an anti-violence advocate is also concerned about the lack of sexual assault prevention training being implemented by residential universities such as UON. Last year a survey was issued to residential colleges asking what training would be implemented in 2017.

"None. And I mean none of the colleges attached to the University of Newcastle were willing to answer that question and I think that raises concerns", said Ms Funnel.

The overall consensus from Ms Funnel is that UON needs an update of policy.