Vandals Set Fire to Car in Middle of South Wallsend Oval

BY ISABEL EVERETT

Vandals have overnight set fire to a car in the middle of the South Wallsend Junior Soccer Club oval. 

Wallsend MP, Sonia Hornery is urging anyone who saw something or has any information about the incident to contact her office or Newcastle Police. 

"Another senseless act of vandalism has ruined yet another sporting facility," Ms Hornery said in social media post.

"Overnight, some moron has decided that the middle of the South Wallsend Junior Soccer Club oval would be the best place to set fire to a car."

"Let's hope that Newcastle City Police District and City of Newcastle can get this mess cleaned up quickly so the kids can get on the field this weekend."

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

Cessnock's Asian Cup goal

Cesnock and Newcaslte are engaged in friendly competition to host a team during the Asian Cup next year.

The Cup kicks off on January 9 and Newcastle has already secured four games including a semi-final and third place play offs.

Newcastle is hoping defending champions Japan will chose the city as their base camp while Cessnock has had some interest from Kuwait

Cessnock Mayor, Bob Pynsent, says the Kuwait head coach was very positive about the towns facilities