58-Year-Old Woman Missing From Maitland

BY OLIVIA DILLON

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

58-year-old Taylor is missing from her home in Ashtonfield and police hold serious concerns for her welfare.

She is described as being of East Asian appearance, 165cm tall, around 75kg in weight, of a medium build, and has black hair.

Anyone with information on her whereabouts is being urged to contact Maitland Police (02 4934 0200), or Crime Stoppers (1800 333 000). 

 

 

13-Year-Old Boy Missing From Raymond Terrace

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Police are asking residents to be on the lookout for a teenage boy missing from Raymond Terrace.

13-year-old Hunter was last seen at 9:00pm on Monday the 18th of December, 2023.

At the time, he was wearing a black T-shirt, black denim shorts, a black cap, and running shoes.

He's described as being of Caucasian appearance, 175cm tall, of a thin build, with a pale complexion, and short, dark brown hair.  

Anyone who's seen him or knows where he may be, is being urged to contact Crime Stoppers.

Lake Macquarie Man Wanted For Alleged Domestic Violence Offences

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Lake Macquarie Police are appealing for assistance to locate a wanted man.

29-year-old Ayden Stott-Griffin is wanted by virtue of an outstanding warrant for domestic violence-related offences.

He's described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 175cm tall, of a solid build, unshaven, and with dark hair.

He is known to frequent the Belmont area.

Anyone with information into his whereabouts is urged not to approach him, but to call Triple Zero.

Three Men Charged Following Alleged Swansea Club Fight

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Three men have been charged following an alleged affray at Swansea.

At about 6:20pm on Saturday the 16th of December, 2023, police arrived at a licensed club on Bridge Street and were told a man had been asked to leave after displaying aggressive behaviour.

A short time later, an argument broke out between staff and his associates.

Two men, aged 37 and 55, allegedly broke through the front doors of the premises, which had been locked, causing them to smash.

They, along with another 75-year-old man then re-entered the venue and assaulted two employees.

As a result, one 39-year-old man was taken to the John Hunter Hospital where he was treated for lacerations to his head and a dislocated finger.

The other 24-year-old employee did not report any injuries to police.

Following inquiries, the three men were arrested and each charged with multiple offences.

They've all been granted conditional bail to appear before Belmont Local Court on Wednesday the 24th of January, 2024.

Bushfires Threaten Homes In The Lower Hunter

 BY IAN CROUCH

More strike teams are heading to the Lower Hunter on Friday morning to relieve weary firefighters battling a huge bushfire near Cessnock.

Three separate fires joined to create a dangerous fast-moving fire which threatened the townships of Abermain, Kurri Kurri, South Weston and Pelaw Main.

The fire has burnt through more than 600 hectares leaving Teasdale Tyres at Weston in ruins along with a number of homes.

Although the fire is listed at Advice level, work is continuing to bring the blaze under control.

Inspector Ben Shepherd from the Rural Fire Service says the exact number of properties lost is yet to be determined.

"We have what we call building impact assessment teams. They'll move across the fire ground today just trying to establish what exactly has been lost," he said.

Six schools are closed on Friday due to the fire threat.

They include Abermain, KurriI Kurri, Edwards, Pelaw Main and Weston Public Schools as well as Stanford Merthyr Infants School.

Almost 1600 properties remain without power around Abermain, Weston, Sawyers Gully and Neath. Ausgrid hopes to have complex repairs competed by 10.00am on Friday.

Meanwhile, a fire which threatened homes at West Wallsend has also been downgraded to Advice level overnight and is now under control after burning through more than 60 hectares.

Many residents were forced to flee their homes but there are no reports of property damage.

Both the M1 Pacific Motorway and Leggetts Drive at Richmond Vale have re-opened to traffic.

Crews will again be on alert on Saturday, with an elevated fire risk expected.

Teasdale Tyres and a car on fire at the height of the blaze. Picture Sky News

Singleton Mother Kathleen Folbigg Has Her Convictions Quashed

BY OLIVIA DILLON

The NSW Court of Criminal Appeal has quashed Singleton mother Kathleen Folbigg's convictions over the deaths of her four children. 

It comes after she was granted an unconditional pardon back in June, after having served almost 20 years in gaol. 

She had been convicted of three counts of murder and one of manslaughter. 

But, Justice Andrew Bell said new scientific evidence had brought to light reasonable doubt about her guilt, and it is appropriate she be acquitted.  

Speaking outside the court, the 56-year-old said it's been a long time coming. 

"For almost a quarter of a century, I faced disbelief and hostility.

I hoped and prayed that one day I would be able to stand here with my name cleared."

Justice Bell also noted how a Special Commission of Enquiry into Ms. Folbigg's case, heard it would be unreliable to rely on her diary entries as admissions of guilt.

She said there were legal avenues to prove her innocence back in 1999, and she never should have been put behind bars.

"Those books contained my private feelings which I wrote to myself. No one expects those types of things to be read by strangers, let alone opinionated on. 

They took my words out of context and used them against me; they accused me of something I never wrote about, never did, and never would do. 

I hope no one else will ever have to suffer what I have suffered," she said. 

Image: Newcastle Herald

Body Pulled From A Car Submerged In The Merriwa River

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Police have pulled a car and a body from a river in the Upper Hunter. 

Emergency services were called to the Merriwa River along the Golden Highway at around 6:00am on Wednesday the 13th of December, 2023, following reports a car was upturned in the water.

Officers have since confirmed a body was located inside the vehicle, however it's yet to be identified. 

A crime scene has been established and Hunter Valley Police are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident. 

Anyone with information about the is being urged to contact Merriwa Police or Crime Stoppers.