Motive behind Violent Home Invasion a Mystery

BY JESSICA ROUSE

A man is recovering in hospital after a violent home invasion at Waratah West overnight.

Police say the 20-year-old man walked out the front of his Dover Crescent unit at about 2am this morning and smashed a guitar in the street.

He then walked back into the unit, followed by several other people who allegedly assaulted him.

He was taken to the John Hunter Hospital with a laceration to the back of his head.

There's no description of the offenders, and the motive is still not known.

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.

Dad Pleads Guilty To Hitting 4-Year-Old Daughter In The Head With A Cricket Bat At Waratah West

BY IAN CROUCH

A man has pleaded guilty to hitting his 4-year-old daughter over the head with a cricket bat in her home at Waratah West.

The Herald reports the little girl suffered multiple skull fractures and bruising to the brain.

Her 39-year-old father, who can't be named for legal reasons, admitted to hitting the girl three times while she slept in February this year.

Police say the man didn't show any remorse or ask about the welfare of his daughter at any stage of the investigation.

Random Shooting at Waratah West Not Bikie Related

BY IAN CROUCH

Police say a random drive-by shooting at Waratah West is not linked to recent bikie violence.

The owner of a Mitsubishi Verada parked in University Drive noticed a bullet hole in the rear passenger door yesterday afternoon.

It's believed a shot was fired at the car sometime on Saturday night.

Chief Inspector Trevor Shiels says the incident doesn't appear to be related to recent bikie gang violence.

"We've established no links of that nature and it would appear to be a random, what I'd say is a foolish incident an obviously very dangerous. However, we don't have ongoing concerns for the public's safety at this stage," he said.