BREAKING! Woman sexually assaulted at her home in North Lambton

BY JARROD MELMETH

Police are investigating a break and enter and sexual assault in North Lambton on Thursday.

A 20-year-old woman was insider her bedroom at her home on Turana Parade when a man entered the room with a knife and threatened her.

She attempted to alert her neighbours before the man grabbed her and sexually assaulted her.

Police say a short time later, the man fled on foot and the woman sought assistance from other residents, who contacted police.

A crime scene was established by Newcastle City Police Officers.

Detectives have commenced an investigation under Strike Force Oorin, with assistance from the State Crime Command’s Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad.

The man is described as being of Caucasian appearance, aged in his early to mid-20s, of a solid and athletic build, with a broad nose, short black hair and unshaven.

As investigations continue, police are urging anyone who may have CCTV or dashcam footage from Turana Parade, Lester Parade, Faulkner Crescent, Sunset Boulevard and University Drive between 1pm and 5pm Thursday 29 July or who may have information which could assist investigators to contact Newcastle Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Teenager Injured in Muswellbrook Stabbing

 By SAMUEL BARTLETT

A teenager has been airlifted to John Hunter Hospital following a stabbing on Wednesday night in the Hunter Valley.

Emergency services rushed to Tobruk Avenue at 6pm in Muswellbrook following reports a man had suffered stab wounds.

Police have been told the18-year-old male victim was walking in a laneway between Glenbawn Place and Tobruk Avenue when he was approached by two males and assaulted.

Following the confrontation, the teenager realised he had been stabbed in the back and the upper arm but was able to walk to a nearby residence where he was assisted, and police were contacted.

The man was treated at the scene before he was taken to Muswellbrook Hospital. He was then airlifted to John Hunter Hospital with a punctured lung but remains in a stable condition.

A crime scene has been established and is being forensically examined with officers from the Hunter Valley Police District are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Two Officers Assaulted in Charlestown by Former Probationary Constable

 BY ISABEL EVERETT

Two Senior Constables have allegedly been assaulted by a former Probationary Constable at Charlestown.

The officers were called to the Panorama hotel at around 11.40pm on Monday night, following reports of a 35-year-old man acting aggressively, appearing to be under the influence of drugs.

They attempted to detain the man with capsicum spray and a taser, but were unsuccessful.

The man allegedly began to walk towards the Hoyts Cinema carpark and the Mattara Hotel, before officers again tried to arrest him.

Further police arrived and the man was detained after threatening to stab officers with a syringe. 

Two officers needed stitches for facial cuts sustained during the incident, and one of them sustained a significant elbow injury.

He was handcuffed following the violent struggle, and was taken John Hunter Hospital for treatment, before being transferred to Belmont Police Station.

The suspect was charged with a range of offences including armed with intent to cause am indictable offence, and two counts of assaulting police causing actual bodily harm.

He faced court on Tuesday where he was refused bail to re-appear in court today (Wednesday 23 September, 2020).

Elderly Couple Assaulted At Scone

BY IAN CROUCH

Police are appealing for help from the public to find a woman who assaulted an elderly couple at Scone.

Around 10 o'clock on Sunday night the man and woman aged 84 and 86 were putting rubbish in the bin outside their home on Guernsey Street when an unknown woman started verbally abusing them from across the road.

Police say the woman then crossed the road and assaulted the pair, with the man punched and kicked to the ground and the woman pushed to the ground before the attacker ran off.

The couple were taken to Maitland Hospital and treated for cuts and bruising.

Muswellbrook Police particularly want to hear from anyone with dashcam or CCTV footage of the incident.

Man Charged over String of Newcastle Assaults

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

A man is due to face court accused of robbing and assaulting a number of people, including a police officer, across Newcastle on Sunday afternoon.

The 25-year-old is accused of threatening and demanding cash from a man on Brown Road, Broadmeadow around 1pm, before forcing him to the ground and stealing a mobile phone, a pair of glasses, headphones and a powerbank.

About five minutes later, police say the same man entered a store on nearby Belford Street, where he allegedly grabbed a 44-year-old woman and forced her to the ground.

A struggle ensured and the man fled the scene.

Police allege the man approached a car on Church Street, Mayfield, an hour later and assaulted a man sitting in the passenger seat while demanding cash and the keys to the car.

Officers were called to the scene and managed to arrest the man after a short foot chase, during which a male constable was spat at.

The man has been charged with aggravated robbery, common assault, aggravated assault with intent to rob and assaulting a police officer.

Footage Released in Broadmeadow Break-In Investigation

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

CCTV footage has been released as detectives work to track down two men who broke into a Broadmeadow home and assaulted a man two months ago.

Around midday on July 11, the men forced entry into a unit in a complex on the corner of Young Road and Market Street where they attacked the 31-year-old occupant before fleeing the scene.

Later that day, the injured man presented to John Hunter Hospital with head injuries and police were notified. He has since been released from hospital.

Strike Force Raptor North detectives have now released footage and images of two men they believe can assist with inquiries.

Both men are depicted as being of solid and medium build, wearing high-visibility clothing and dark caps.

Detectives are also appealing for information about a silver Toyota Camry seen in the area at the time of the incident.

Anyone with information, including relevant photos and videos, can report it directly to the Strike Force via the online reporting page.

The footage is available on the 2nurfm Hunter News Facebook page.

Police Investigate String of Violent Hamilton Robberies

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

Police are investigating several violent robberies across Hamilton which are believed to be linked.

In the first of five similar incidents to have occurred in less than two weeks, a 21-year-old man was assaulted at 3:30 in the morning on Saturday, September 14th, by two men who proceeded to steal his wallet and mobile phone.

The robbery occurred at the corner of May Street and Maitland Road, Islington, not far from Hamilton's popular Beaumont Street entertainment precinct.

The following morning, a 55-year-old man and his 27-year-old son were walking home through Gregson Park around 1am when two unknown men threatened and assaulted them, inflicting a head wound to the younger man and knocking his father unconscious for a short period of time.

Three more attacks were reported during the early hours of Saturday and Sunday, September 21st and 22nd.

On Saturday, a 29-year-old man was assaulted by four men as he left work around 1:30 in the morning.

An hour later, two men were attacked and robbed by three unknown men as they walked through Gregson Park.

At 1:30am on Sunday, a woman was approached from behind by two men attempting to steal her handbag at the intersection of Cleary and Samdon Streets. The would-be thieves were unsuccesful and fled empty handed.

Detectives believe the incidents are linked and have released images of three men they believe can assist with investigations.

All are described as being Caucasian in appearance, aged between 18-25, and wearing dark clothing at the time of the attacks.

Newcastle City Police District Crime Manager, Detective Chief Inspector Scott Parker, said it was concerning these incidents occurred in such a short period of time.

“These crimes appear opportunistic in nature, and we intend to find those responsible in a swift manner."


Anyone who believes they have information which could help detectives track down the thieves is urged to contact Newcastle Police Station on 4929 0999 or to call Crime Stoppers.

Security Guards, Police Officer Allegedly Assaulted at Hospital

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

A man has been charged over the assault of two security guards and a police officer at a hospital in the Hunter.

Police say the 42-year-old was admitted to the emergency department at about 8 o'clock on Friday night and became agitated and aggressive as he attempted to leave three hours later.

Three security guards attempted to restrain the man, two were injured during their efforts.

Officers were called to the scene to assist the guards, resulting in one officer allegedly being assaulted.

The patient was eventually subdued and admitted for treatment.

The man has since been released from hospital and served a Court Attendance Notice for assault occasioning actual bodily harm, common assault, and assault police officer in the execution of his duty.

He will appear in Maitland Local Court on Wednesday, August 14.

The incident followed a strike by Health Services Union members on Thursday, in which hospital staff across the Hunter and the state called for improved security at public hospitals to keep workers and patients safe.

Man Charged After Officer Knocked Unconscious

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

A man will face Raymond Terrace Local Court today after a police officer was knocked unconscious during an arrest near Port Stephens.

Around 5 o'clock Wednesday afternoon, a Toyota Soarer was involved in a brief police pursuit along Richardson Rd at Campvale.

Shortly afterwards, officers located the driver at Finnan Park where it's alleged an officer was struck in the head with a metal torch as they arrested him.

The 24-year-old man has been charged with six offences including wounding a police officer, driving with a cancelled licence and four counts of possessing a prohibited drug.

He was refused bail to appear in court yesterday but the case was rescheduled for today.

The incident marked the second attack on an emergency service worker in three days after a paramedic was assaulted while transporting a patient to the Mater Hospital on Monday.

Newcastle Policeman Accused of Assaulting a Woman

BY JESSICA ROUSE

A Newcastle policeman has been charged over an alleged assault in Newcastle last year.

The senior constable was arrested at Foreshore Park on November 25 last year for allegedly assaulting a 44-year-old woman.

Following investigations, the 31-year-old was arrested yesterday and charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and common assault.

He will appear at Newcastle Local Court in March.

Driver Fined for Littering

BY TYLER FARDELL


A Hunter man who thought it would be funny to throw a ice-filled drink cup at a cyclist as they traveled along Maitland Road in Hexham as had his comeuppance.

The Environment Protection Authority fined the man $450 for aggravated littering and said it's lucky the cyclist was alright after the incident which occurred in October last year.

The drink hit the man on the head and damaged his glasses and helmet but he was able to safely pull over.

The dangerous act was recorded on the cyclists bike camera and the footage was handed in to police.

Hunter Director of the EPA Karen Marler criticized the act, calling it reckless and stupid.

"Litter damages the environment", she said. "It can harm wildlife and marine life, injure people and make our surroundings more dangerous".

NSW police are continuing to investigate the matter.

Boy "kicked" and "slapped" by Teen in Edgeworth

BY JESSICA ROUSE

A teenager has been charged after he allegedly kicked and slapped another boy in Birmingham Gardens.

Police say a 15-year-old was allegedly kicked to the head and slapped before his phone was stolen on Rae Street at about 1am yesterday morning.

Police were called to the scene and gave first aid to the injured boy who was then taken to the John Hunter Hospital for treatment for head and leg injuries.

A 16-year-old teenager was arrested at the scene and charged with robbery and assault.

He'll face a children's court next month.

Man Charged after Brutal Assault in Lake Macquarie

BY JESSICA ROUSE

A man has been charged after a vicious assault at Lake Macquarie last month.

A 41-yyear-old man was at a sporting function at Waterboard Oval, Blackalls park on Saturday 16th September when he was allegedly punched by another man.

He was taken to the John Hunter Hospital suffering two skull fractures, brain bleeds and a perforated eardrum.

Police launched an extensive investigation and yesterday arrested a 37-year-old man at Belmont Police Station.

The Woongarah man was charged with recklessly inflict grievous bodily harm and granted conditional bail to appear at Toronto Local Court on October 24.

Child killer denied appeal against assault in Newcastle Court

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Child killer Kathleen Folbigg has had her appeal against an extra four-month sentence denied in Newcastle Local Court today.

The sentence was for punching a fellow inmate in April this year after she saw her walk out of her cell with a communal toaster. Folbigg snatched the toaster from the inmate telling her "you're not allowed to take the f---ing toaster in the rooms" which led to an argument and Folbigg punching the woman in the head.

Folbigg says she didn't even realise she'd connected until she saw the CCTV footage.

She appeared via videolink from Cessnock Prison where she was relocated after the incident.

Folbigg is currently serving a 30-year sentence for allegedly killing her four children over a ten year period. She's 14 years into her sentence.

Image abc.net.au

Police on the hunt for two men who assaulted another

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Police have released CCTV Footage of two men who assaulted another man in Maitland last week.

Just before midnight on Friday (11th August 2017) police say a 43-year-old man was assaulted by two men on Lawson Avenue in Beresfield.

The man suffered injuries to his jaw and ended up in the John Hunter Hospital for surgery.

The two men police believe may be able to assist with investigations are described as being aged in their late teens to early 20s with a medium build.

In the images they were wearing dark hooded jumpers and shorts. They are also shown riding skateboards.

Anyone with any information is being urged to come forward.

Aged Care break and enter

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Police have released a description of a man wanted for the attempted break and enters of an aged care centre in Kurri Kurri earlier this month.

Police are investigating a break and enter at the Lang Street facility on Saturday 10 June at about 11pm when a man broke into a 78-year-old woman's room demanding cash. The man allegedly assaulted her and stole a wallet containing cash and credit cards. She suffered bruising to her face.

A second break and enter was attempted a week later on Sunday 18 June at 11:30pm - a resident says she heard a chair move on her back verandah and reported a man was attempting to break into her room.

The man didn't gain entry and left before being seen.

Police believe the two incidences are linked.


The man is described as having dark hair and wearing shorts with two stripes down the sides and a jumper and has been seen with a dog.

Former Newcastle Jets Captain hailed a hero after chasing down bag thief

BY JARROD MELMETH

Former captain of the Newcastle Jets, Andy Roberts, has been involved in an altercation on the Pacific Highway at Charlestown after catching a man who ran off with his wife, Alison's handbag.

The 47-year-old who owns his own menswear store at Charlestown was in a three-piece suit at the time of the chase, but that did not stop him cornering the suspect and waiting for police to arrive.

Alison reported her bag being stolen to Mr Roberts at about 4pm after hearing the back door of her salon open and close and saw the thief leave with her handbag.

Mr Roberts said the property was returned but not before he was allegedly punched in the face by the thief.

"When I confronted him and asked for it back, he took a swipe at me, my wife was there, so I held her back and just took the punch.

"The bag fell to the ground because he had it in the back of his hoodie, we got that back, then we asked for the rest of the bag back, but he wouldn't admit to where it was.

"When the police arrived and we started chasing him down the street with about two or three others in tow," Mr Roberts said.

Andy Roberts and Jets Player Nigel Boogard. Photo source: Newcastle Jets

20 man strong pub brawl in Sandgate

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Police are still after two unknown men and several other people involved in a 20 people strong brawl at a hotel in Sandgate Road over the weekend.

Shortly before midnight on Saturday, two men were escorted from the hotel by staff after a verbal altercation.

Several others followed the men outside and a brawl ensued.

Police from Newcastle City Local Area Command attended the scene locating 15 people still in the area.

Many of those involved suffered injuries from minor lacerations to a possible broken jaw.

An 18-year old man was arrested and charged with affray and behaving in an offensive manner.

He has been granted conditional bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court on 19 January 2017.

Investigations are continuing and anyone with any information are urged to contact police or call Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000. 

Man Charged After Allegedly Assaulting A Child On Central Coast Train.

BY JESSICA WORBOYS

Officers have charged a 22-year-old man after allegedly assaulting a child on a train travelling northbound from Sydney yesterday.

The officers were approached at Woy Woy station by a witness who was concerned for the welfare of a 10-month-old boy on board the train.

Senior Constable Sara Burgess says “the boy appeared to have injuries and was distressed.”

“Officers were told the child was allegedly assaulted several times during the trip from Sydney, by a man believed to be travelling with the child’s mother.”

Officers arrested the man where he was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, domestic violence related, at Gosford Police Station.

He was refused bail to appear before Gosford Local Court today.

The child was taken by NSW Ambulance Paramedics to Gosford Hospital and is in a stable condition. He will be placed in care and police are working with the Department of Family and Community Services.