Kathleen Folbigg To Face Possible Appeal For Her Convictions

BY OLIVIA DILLON

An appeals court will likely consider overturning Singleton mother Kathleen Folbigg's convictions over the deaths of her four children, following the release of the final report on the matter. 

The 55-year-old was earlier this year released from gaol and pardoned, after having served 20 years in prison for killing her 4 children; Caleb, Patrick, Sarah and Laura. 

She was released after an inquiry heard there was evidence her children could have died from natural causes and there was reasonable doubt about her guilt.

In his report, Inquiry Commissioner Tom Bathurst KC found there was an identifiable cause for three of the deaths. 

He also said Ms. Folbigg's diary entries should not have been used during her trial. 

Mr. Bathurst has confirmed he will refer the matter to the Court of Criminal Appeal. 

Image: Supplied

BREAKING! Juveniles Arrested After Pursuits Across Newcastle and Lake Macquarie

 BY IAN CROUCH

Police have arrested six juveniles after pursuits involving two allegedly stolen cars across Newcastle and Lake Macquarie.

Patrolling police noticed the two vehicles just after midnight on Monday.

One of the cars stopped for petrol at Toronto where police arrested three young people.

The Polair helicopter tracked the second car and noticed the occupants running from the vehicle at Jesmond where they were quickly arrested.

All six are expected to be charged.

Police believe the two pursuits are linked.

Woman Charged Over Double Gateshead Shooting

BY OLIVIA DILLON

A second person has been arrested and charged over a double shooting in Gateshead. 

At about 2:00am on Thursday the 21st of September, 2023, emergency services arrived at a home on Cassia Crescent in Gateshead, to find a 42-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman suffering from non-life-threatening gunshot wounds. 

Following inquiries, a 31-year-old man was charged in relation to the attack four days later. 

He remains before the courts. 

As investigations continue, a 25-year-old woman was arrested at a property on Bousfield Street in Wallsend at about 2:30pm on Wednesday the 1st of November, 2023. 

She's been charged with a number of offences, including shoot at with intent to murder. 

The woman was refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court today (Thursday the 2nd of November, 2023). 

Second Man Arrested Over The Murder Of Zachery Davies-Scott

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Another man has been arrested over the murder of a young man at Heddon Greta. 

Strike Force Roslyn detectives arrested and charged 25-year-old Talon Dean over the shooing death of Zachery Davies-Scott on Tuesday the 31st of October, 2023. 

Zac, who was 25 at the time, was shot dead inside a home on Traders Way in Heddon Greta, two days after Christmas last year. 

At about 6:00am on Thursday the 2nd of November, 2023, strike force detectives and Raptor Squad police arrested a second 24-year-old man in Cessnock.

He's been taken to Cessnock Police Station and is expected to also be charged with murder. 

The investigation is ongoing. 

InfraBuild Workers To Walk Off The Job Amid Pay Talks

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Employees at Newcastle steel-maker InfraBuild will walk of the job from midday today, as they call for a fairer pay deal. 

The action involves members of the Australian Workers' Union (AWU), the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU), and the Electrical Trades Union (ETU.  

Members at both the Rod and AusTube Mills say the company's wage offer fails to keep pace with the cost of living, and low staffing levels have been affecting the morale of workers. 

They also say management has moved them from a 12-hour shift pattern to an 8-hour one, and has taken away paid shower time and break provisions. 

Organiser, Ben Horan from the Newcastle Branch of the AWU, says they are currently negotiating two InfraBuild enterprise agreements, which both expired in August.

"There has been some movement from the company which is encouraging...but we're just coming to a sticking point at the moment around wages and trying to keep our members up with the cost of living," he said. 

The action will run for two hours, however Mr. Horan says they'll keep fighting if they have to. 

"Moving forward, we're going to be absolutely ramping it up a lot more, with minimum 12-hour stoppages and things of that nature." 

The industrial action marks the first time there have been strikes at the mills in 30 years. 

BREAKING! Staff And Passengers Intervene During Altercation On Flight To Newcastle

 BY IAN CROUCH

Staff and passengers have intervened after a young couple became involved in an altercation on a commercial flight from Brisbane to Newcastle on Wednesday night.

It's alleged the 21-year-old man struck the 19-year-old woman in the face during the incident.

Passengers assisted staff in separating the pair, who are both from Newcastle, and police were notified.

Officers met the aircraft on arrival at Williamtown and took the man into custody.

He was taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station and charged with common assault and endangering the safety of an aircraft.

The man was granted conditional bail to face Raymond Terrace Court on November 21.

Police say no-one else was injured or threatened during the incident.

Teenagers Charged Over Pursuit Through Lake Macquarie And The Central Coast

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Two teenagers will face court today, after they allegedly led police on a pursuit around Lake Macquarie and the Central Coast. 

At about 7:00pm yesterday (Tuesday the 31st of October, 2023), officers attempted to stop a Honda station wagon which they believed was stolen on the Pacific Highway at Kanwal. 

When the vehicle failed to stop, a pursuit was initiated, however it was terminated a short time later due to safety concerns.  

With the assistance of PolAir, the vehicle was located at Toukley before it came to a stop along The Esplanade at Swansea.

The two occupants fled on foot into nearby bushland, but were located a short time later.

The boys, aged 15 and 16, were arrested and taken to Belmont Police Station.

They've both been refused bail and will face a children's court today.