Former youth worker charged with child sex offences in the Hunter

BY JARROD MELMETH

A former youth worker has been charged with 15 historic sex offences which took place across the Hunter Region dating back to the 1990s.

Late last year, Lake Macquarie Police established a strike force to investigate the allegations of alleged child sexual offences against two teenage boys between 1990 and 2004 in  Muswellbrook and Gateshead.

On Thursday, Strike Force Eiraban lead to the arrest of a 71-year-old man from Marks Point who attended Belmont Police Station where he was arrested.

The man was charges with 15 offences, including sex assault (incite indecent act under 16 and under authority); three counts of sexual intercourse with person 10 or over and under 16 years, sexual intercourse with person 10 and under 16 years; sexual intercourse with person 14 or over and under 16 years; aggravated indecent assault of a victim under the authority of offender; and supply prohibited drug.

Police will allege the man formerly worked as a youth worker in the region.

He appeared before Belmont Local Court, where he was refused bail and will appear at Newcastle Local Court on Friday.

Two People Transported to Hospital in Gateshead Crash

BY ISABEL EVERETT

Two people have been transported to hospital following a two-car crash in Lake Macquarie.

The incident occurred at around 10:45 on the Pacific Highway just past Sydney Street at Gateshead.

A 60-year-old woman suffered a minor head injury, and a man believed to be around 70-years-old has fractured his leg.

They have been transport to John Hunter Hospital and Lake Macquarie Private Hospital in stable conditions.

Emergency services are still in attendance.

Pacific Highway Intersection

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.

The ups and down of the Gateshead mobile phone tower

BY IAN CROUCH and JESSICA ROUSE

A controversial mobile phone tower at Gateshead was going ahead, then the land owner backed out of the lease to the happiness of residents, but now it seems to have been for naught with Lake Macquarie Council voting to go ahead with it.

Despite concerns from residents, councillors voted 7-4 in favour of the 37 metre high tower proposed for the Bulls Garden Road last night.

Nearby Whitebridge residents say the tower will be ugly and pose a health risk.

It's expected to improve mobile phone coverage for Vodafone and Optus customers in the area.

Image abc.net.au

The most over crowded schools in NSW are here, in the Hunter

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Wirripang Public School at Gateshead is the state's most crowded school at 220% capacity according to figures released by the Department of Education.

The documents containing the figures were obtained under Freedom of Information laws and also reveal more than a third of NSW schools are at 100% capacity or more.

Charlestown MP Jodie Harrison says the results are a big reflection of the governments inability to plan, contrary to its commitment to public education.

"It [Wirripang Public School] opened in 2013 under this Liberal government. Now three years later, we've got overcrowding of 220 per cent. Wirripang Public School is over enrolled and what that means is this Liberal government is failing to plan for population growth let alone existing population."

The other five schools in the Hunter which are at more then 100% capacity include Islington Public School, Jesmond Public School, Grahamstown Public School, The Junction Public School and Maitland Grossmann High School.