Police looking for missing man from East Maitland

BY JARROD MELMETH

UPDATE:

Corey was found safe and well at Clarence Town on Thursday morning. 

EARLIER:

Police are appealing for assistance to locate a man missing from East Maitland.

24-year-old Corey Davies was last seen leaving his home on David Avenue, about 5:30pm on Wednesday in a silver Volvo sedan with plates reading DGB-11Y.

Corey's family who are concerned about his welfare contacted police and reported him missing, before inquiries into his whereabouts were conducted.

It's believed he may have been in the Karuah area at about 5:30am on Thursday morning. 

He is described as being of Caucasian appearance and of medium build with short dark hair. He was last seen wearing a short-sleeved white shirt and grey shorts. 

Anyone with information about Corey’s whereabouts is urged to contact Maitland Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

MISSING: 24-year-old Corey Davis

MISSING: The car Corey was last seen leaving his home in East Maitland in.

Pair charged over Beresfield break and enter

BY JARROD MELMETH

A man and a woman will face court on Monday following an alleged aggravated break and enter in Beresfield overnight.

The pair allegedly forced their way into a home on Beresfield at about 1:50am on Monday, where a man, woman and 8 year old child were asleep.

The occupants were awoken to sounds of items being knocked over.

Police say no one was injured during the incident and the pair were arrested walking down Beresfield Road.

They were charged with aggravated break and enter and enter in company and were refused bail to appear in Maitland Local Court on Monday.

Emergency services free person from vehicle at Lake Macquarie

BY JARROD MELMETH 

A person has been freed from a vehicle overnight at Lake Macquarie.

Emergency services, including police, RFS and ambulance, were called to Silverwater Road, Silverwater just before 7pm, where they found a vehicle had collided with a tree and the occupant was still trapped inside.

Fire and Rescue NSW extricated the occupant who was then transferred into the care of paramedics.

Superintendent Scott Dodson says this is a timely reminder that calling Triple Zero (000) for a fire emergency can be the difference between life and death, or a building or other property being saved or destroyed. 

Fire and Rescue NSW freeing the occupant
in Silverwater overnight.

Police investigating alleged knife attack in Wallsend

BY JARROD MELMETH

Police are appealing for public assistance after a man presented to paramedics with knife wounds in Wallsend overnight.

Newcastle Police were called to Bousfield Street to reports of an alleged brawl outside a home around 6:35pm on Tuesday night.

A short time later, Police were called to Bunn Street, only a short walk from where the brawl allegedly took place, after a man presented to NSW Ambulance with wounds to his wrist and chest.

The 41-year-old man was taken to John Hunter Hospital where he was treated.

Detectives from Newcastle City Police District have commenced an investigation into how the man came to be injured, including whether the incidents are linked.

Anyone who may have seen or heard anything in the nearby area between 5.30pm and 7pm is urged to contact Waratah Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Muswellbrook woman issued $5000 fine for breaching Health Orders

BY JARROD MELMETH

The Hunter Valley Police District has put a call out to the community urging them to stay the course and continue complying with the Public Health Orders.

It follows police issuing a $5000 infringement notice to a Muswellbrook woman who was found not isolating at home as directed.

The 30-year-old told officers, who were conducting welfare and compliance checks, she was not at home due to being out exercising.

Police are urging the community to stay at home if you've been directed to self-isolate.

Lambton man reunited with stolen bike after two months

BY JARROD MELMETH

A Lambton man has been reunited with his stolen bicycle after Police discovered it in the boot of a car they pulled over.

On Monday, officers were patrolling around Hamilton when they stopped a silver Subaru station wagon for after observing the vehicle had several cracks across the windscreen and non-functioning brake lights.

After conducting a search of the vehicle, police found a near new Evo men's Mountain Bike worth approximately $5,000. When asked about the bike, the male driver and his passenger told police they had purchased the bike on Facebook Marketplace from an unknown person, which they were unable to provide proof of.

Police seized the bike so they could conduct an enquiry on the bicycle's serial number, which showed the bike belonged to a Lambton address. A report about the bike being stolen had been given to Police on July 24, 2021.

Police and the owner contacted who attended Newcastle Police Station shortly afterwards to collect it. The male who was in possession of the bicycle was issued with a Court Attendance Notice to appear at Newcastle Local Court for the offence of goods in custody suspected of being stolen.

Pictured: The very happy owner reunited with his bicycle.
Image: Traffic & Highway Patrol NSW

Police release CCTV images into Cameron Park ram raid

BY JARROD MELMETH 

Lake Macquarie police have released images of two people they want to speak with in relation to a ram raid at Cameron Park earlier this month.

On Sunday 5 September, officers were called to the Cameron Park Plaza Shopping Centre after reports of a break and enter.

When police arrived, they were told a man had driven a forklift through the glass door of the shopping centre before using it to steal an ATM and drive away.

As part of their investigations, police have released the following images of two people they believe can assist with their enquiries.

Anyone with information that may help identify the pair is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Pictured: The two individuals police wish to speak with

3-year-old boy missing from Singleton

BY JARROD MELMETH

Police are still searching for a 3-year-old boy who went missing from a property at Putty south of Singleton on Friday.

AJ, who lives with Autism was last seen at the property on Yengo Drive about 11:45am.

Hunter Valley Police were called to the rural property at about 12:30pm after receiving reports the child was missing.

A coordinated search has been underway since with the assistance of police on trail bikes, PolAir, State Emergency Service and Rural Fire Service. Emergency services continued the operation through the night.

Anyone with information about AJ is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Pictured: 3-year-old AJ.

Man lands himself in police custody after allegedly trying to fly contraband into Hunter correctional centre

BY JARROD MELMETH

A man will face court on Monday after allegedly attempting to deliver contraband into Cessnock Correctional Centre.

On Sunday, officers from Hunter Valley Police District received a tip off regarding the plan to drop the contraband into the correctional centre via a drone.

Following the tip off, police notified the facility who then conducted patrols on the complex.

Police stopped a Holden Commodore on Maitland Road, Cessnock just before 12pm, and spoke to the male and female occupants.

A search of the vehicle was undertaken where police found a drone, and a plastic bag containing a mobile phone and charger, tobacco, lighter and buprenorphine, a prescription drug used to substitute heroin.

A 25-year-old man was arrested and taken to Cessnock Police Station and charged with two counts of unlawfully deliver or attempt to deliver anything to inmate, and one count each of take part supply prohibited drug, possess prohibited drug, bring etc prohibited drug/plant into place of detention and goods in personal custody suspected being stolen.

Police will allege in court the man was coordinating the operation with someone inside the facility.

He was refused bail to appear before Cessnock Local Court on Monday.

Hunter Valley Police District Crime Manager, Detective Inspector Matt Zimmer, said officers will continue to work alongside officers from Corrective Services NSW to identify and take action against those who attempt to introduce contraband. 

“Our joint operations with Corrective Services NSW will continue to investigate and prosecute individuals who attempt to facilitate the supply of prohibited drugs or other contraband into facilities in the Hunter Valley district,” Det Insp Zimmer said.

Excavator brought in in relation to Robyn Hickie and Amanda Robinson

BY JARROD MELMETH

Detectives have begun excavating an area of bushland at the former Kanangra Scout Camp at Nords Wharf believed to be the burial site of Robyn Hickie and Amanda Robinson.

Strike Force Arapaima detectives have today cordoned off a parcel of land at the former scout camp where they believe they may find some answers to the 42-year-old mystery. 

The two teenage girls disappeared within two weeks of each other in Lake Macquarie in April 1979.

18-year-old Robyn Hickie was last seen standing at a bus stop on the Pacific Highway at Belmont North on April 7, 1979. A fortnight later 14-year-old Amanda Robinson disappeared after being last seen walking along Lake Road at Swansea, just 9km from excavation site.

The search comes just days after police announced a $1million for information about both cases.

When announcing the large reward, Detective Inspector Steve Benson said police were following a number of lines of inquiry.

The former scout camp is now private property with the current owners cooperating with police.

More to come.

Pictured: The excavator digging up land at Nords Wharf.
Image: Daily Telegraph

BREAKING! ADF to join Newcastle Police in COVID-19 compliance operation

BY JARROD MELMETH

Australian Defence Force personnel will join Newcastle Police officers from Wednesday as part of its COVID-19 welfare and compliance operations.

50 ADF personnel have been deployed to the region to conduct compliance checks of stay-at-home and self isolation orders as well as welfare doorknocks.

Deputy Commissioner Mick Willing says he welcomes the arrival of troops in regional towns.

“The NSW Police Force has a long history of co-operation with the ADF and they have provided vital assistance over the past 18 months.

“First and foremost, the troops are there to support the community alongside police. Among other tasks, you will see them delivering hampers and checking on the welfare of our most vulnerable people.

“I want to thank them for their help and again appeal to everyone across our regions to stay at home as much as possible – please do everything you can to help us stop the spread," DC Willing said.

Further deployments are expected by the end of the week.

Image: Sky News

Eight attendees of Jesmond gathering among 529 infringement notices issued

BY JARROD MELMETH

Police have broken up a gathering at Jesmond overnight.

Police say eight infringement notices were handed out to those in attendance.

In other parts of the state, 31 notices were issued to attendees of a gathering in Clovelly in Sydneys Eastern Suburbs. A number of police were called in to break the gathering it up.

Ten infringement notices were also issued to a group of people who attended a barbeque at Blacktown.

Deputy Commissioner Mick Willing says now is simply not the time.

"We are faced with a situation with the Delta variant which spreads across young people, so it is particularly disappointing to see young people involved in breaches of the Public Health Order," DC Willing said.

529 infringement notices were issued in 24 hours.

Police charge the two women at the centre of the Hunters COVID-19 outbreak

BY JARROD MELMETH

Police have charged two women who are at the centre of the Hunter COVID outbreak for breaching Public Health Orders.

Police say a 21 and 20-year-old will face court next month for failing to comply with multiple directives from police to return to Sydney.

It's alleged the older woman was first told by police to return to Sydney onboard a northbound train to Newcastle on Thursday 29 July, where she allegedly told police she had fallen asleep and intended to return. Police issued the woman with a warning that she was in breach of the Public Health Order and was directed to return to Sydney.

The following night, police were called to an address on Sandgate Road at Shortland, doe an unrelated matter. Here Officers spoke to two women -aged 20 and 21. Police requested their proof of identification, which showed the two women were from Sydney's West.

Both women were issued with $1000 PINs for breaching the Public Health Order and directed to return to Sydney, indicating they would comply. However, investigations have revealed they allegedly failed to leave the area.

Further inquiries revealed the 20-year-old woman travelled to the Newcastle from Sydney on Tuesday 27 July, before both women allegedly attended several other locations whilst infectious with COVID-19 in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie.

Since the pairs visit to the Hunter, almost 100 exposure sites across schools, shopping centres, nightclubs, restaurants, cafes and aged care facilities have been announced across the region.

To date, 82 cases of COVID have been recorded in the past week, with one death in an aged care facility.

Following extensive inquiries, officers from South Sydney and Mt Druitt Police Area Commands issued Future Court Attendance Notices to two women – aged 20 and 21 – for the offence of fail to comply with noticed direction in relation to section 7/8/9 – COVID-19 – individual.

The younger woman is due to attend Mt Druitt Local Court on Wednesday 29 September 2021, while the older woman is due to appear at Hornsby Local Court on the same date.

Investigations are ongoing into further alleged breaches. 

Man charged with murder over Cooks Hill fatal shooting

BY JARROD MELMETH

A man has been charged with murder following investigations into a fatal shooting at a Cooks Hill apartment last month.

On July 22, emergency services found 40-year-old Wesley Prentice inside the unit on Darby Street with a gun shot wound to the chest. Mr Prentice died at the scene.

Police have announced a 35-year-old man was arrested near a caravan park at Bonny Hills on Sunday in relation to the murder.

During a search of the man's belongings, officers found a loaded firearm and cash which were seized for forensic examination.

The man from Woodrising was taken to Port Macquarie Police Station where he was charged with murder, possess loaded firearm in public place, possess shortened firearm (not pistol) without authority and possess unregistered firearm in public place.

He was refused bail and appeared at Wachope Local Court on Monday where he was refused bail to appear at Port Macquarie Local Court on Wednesday.

As part of ongoing inquiries, Strike Force Hibbard detectives executed two search warrants at Bonny Hills and Windale.

During the searches, number of items were seized by police for forensic examination.

Investigations are continuing.

BREAKING! Police pursuit ends in arrest at Lake Macquarie

BY JARROD MELMETH

A man has been arrested after a senior constable was injured during an attempted arrest and police pursuits in Lake Macquarie.

Police alleged about 2:45pm on Tuesday, officers attended a carpark at Bennetts Green where they noticed a grey Volkswagen Amarok Ute with stolen number plates.

When officers approached the vehicle the male driver attempted to drive off, during which a male senior constable was injured after his arm was pushed into the damaged windows broken glass.

The driver then fled the scene in the Volkswagen, heading into Windale. 

Police initiated a pursuit into the surrounding streets but terminated it a short time later after failing to locate the vehicle.

On Wednesday as part of ongoing inquiries police attempted to stop the same vehicle northbound on the Pacific Highway about 9am before a pursuit was again initiated reaching speeds of up to 160km/hr in a 100km/hr zone.

During the pursuit the driver crashed into bushland off Lakeview Parade, Pelican.

Following an extensive search involving the dog unit, the 35-year-old was arrested in Little Pelican a short time later.

The Caves Beach man was taken to Belmont Police Station where he is assisting police with their investigations. 

Police arresting the 35-year-old. 

Man extradited from Queensland over East Maitland axe attack

BY JARROD MELMETH 

A 23-year-old man has been extradited from Queensland to NSW over an axe attack at East Maitland last week.

Just before 8pm on July 13, a man and a woman were inside a home on Alliance Street when a group of five people arrived at the home before an argument broke out.

Police will allege the 28-year-old woman was assaulted and the 35-year-old man was struck several rimes with the tomahawk.

Since the incident, two people have been charged in relation to the incident.

Following further inquiries, detectives from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District, assisted by officers from the Queensland Police Service, travelled to the Sunshine Coast where they arrested the 23-year-old man on Tuesday.

A request for the mans extradition was granted at the Maroochydore Magistrates Court.

On Wednesday he was taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station charged with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and affray.

The Tarro man was refused bail to appear at Raymond Terrace Local Court today.

Investigations into the incident are ongoing. 

Police release image of man related to the disappearance of Revelle Balmain

BY JAMES CARTER

Police have released an image of a man who may assist with their inquiries around the disappearance of Revelle Balmain 26 years ago.

Ms Balmain was last seen in Kingsford on November 5 1994, with her Soldiers Point mother due to meet her at Newcastle Train Station but Ms Balmain never arrived. 

A 1999 coroner report found Ms Balmain had died at the hands of a person or persons unknown. 

Strike Force Aramac, the unit set up to re-investigate the case, hopes the man in the image has information regarding Ms Balmain's last movements. 

The image was sent anonymously following the announcement of a $1 million reward for information in May. 

Detectives are currently assessing several community tips and say they are identifying how best to proceed. 

The image is said to be taken in the mid-2000s and Police hope someone in the community may recognise him and come forward to investigators.

Anyone with information about the case is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au

Police have released this image of a man they think would be able to assist with their inquiries.
Image: NSW POLICE

15 new police recruits for the Hunter

BY JARROD MELMETH

The Hunter will share in 15 new police recruits after they were sworn in as probationary constables at a ceremony in Goulburn on Friday.

Lake Macquarie will receive six, Port Stephens-Hunter five, and Hunter Valley four who are among a total of 192 new recruits across the state.

Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott says the new recruits will bring a fresh boost to the Force.

"Congratulations to the men and women of class 347, who graduate today and will join the NSW Police Force at its strongest and most efficient.

"After eight months of world-class training, the attesting officers will join their stations next Monday and invigorate the policing capabilities of this state," Mr Elliott said.

The total 192 recruits consists of 137 men and 55 women, 21 were born overseas and seven recruits are Indigenous.

Pictured: The new recruits sworn in on Friday.
Image: NSW Police Force.

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).

Cessnock Man Charged over Attempted Child Sex Assault

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

Detectives have charged a Cessnock man with the attempted sexual assault of a young girl.

Investigations began in June following reports a man attempted to sexually assault a young girl known to him at a home in the Hunter.

Following extensive inquiries assisted by the Australian Federal Police the 34-year-old was arrested on Saturday afternoon.

Police also conducted searches of two homes in the Hunter, seizing a number of electronic storage devices.

The man briefly faced Newcastle Bail Court on Saturday, where he was formally refused bail to reappear at Cessnock Local Court on Monday.

He is accused of attempting to sexually assault a girl under the age of 10 on a number of occasions between December 2018 and June 2019.

Police also allege the man produced, sent and received child abuse material online.

Anyone with concerns about suspected child abuse or exploitation should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page.