Man Arrested In Sydney Over Lake Macquarie Sexual Assault

BY JARROD MELMETH

A man will face court today charged over allegedly sexually assaulting two young girls in Lake Macquarie.

An investigation into the man was launched by Detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad following reports two girls aged 8 and 12 were sexually and indecently assaulted by a man known to them.

With the assistance of the Australian Border Force, the 59-year-old man was arrested at the Overseas Passenger Terminal in Sydney's Circular Quay on Monday afternoon.

He was taken to Day Street Police Station where he was charged with two counts of indecent and aggravated sexual assault - victim under 16 years.

Police will allege in court the man sexually and indecently assaulted both girls at a property in the Lake Macquarie area in January this year.

The man was refused bail and is due to appear at Central Local Court today.

Image: Home Affairs.

Jarryd Hayne To Face Court Over Alleged Sexual Assault In The Hunter

BY IAN CROUCH

Rugby League player, Jarryd Hayne is due to face Sydney's Burwood Court next month accused of sexually assaulting a woman in the Hunter.

Detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad commenced an investigation after receiving reports a woman had been sexually assaulted by a man she met on social media.

It's alleged Hayne went to a home in the Hunter region on NRL Grand Final night in September and sexually assaulted a 26-year-old woman.

The woman has reportedly told police she suffered injuries during the sexual encounter and has photographic evidence to back up her claim.

Hayne attended Ryde Police Station yesterday afternoon with his manager, Wayne Beavis for a scheduled meeting with police.

The 30-year-old was subsequently arrested and charged with aggravated sexual assault-inflict actual bodily harm and has been granted strict conditional bail ahead of his court appearance on Monday 10 December, 2018.

The maximum penalty for the charge is 20 years imprisonment.

Hayne is also facing a civil law suit in the United States over claims he raped a woman in December 2015 while playing NFL with the San Francisco 49ers.

Jarryd Hayne  Picture: pedestrian tv

Newcastle Pubs And Clubs Stay Open Longer For Supercars

BY IAN CROUCH

The good behaviour of race goers at last year's Newcastle 500 has prompted the state's Racing Minister to grant an extension to liquor trading hours in the CBD this weekend.

The city's pubs and clubs will be allowed to stay open between 10.00pm and midnight on Sunday after the big race wraps up.

Australian Hotels Association Newcastle and Hunter President, Rolly De With has welcomed the decision but says the extension is a privilege and patrons taking advantage of the extra two hours need to ensure their behaviour doesn't put this in jeopardy.

AHA Newcastle and Hunter President Rolly De With

Hunter Women Charged with Port Stephens Pursuit, Fraud

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

Two women from Newcastle are accused of leading police on a lengthy pursuit from Tea Gardens to the Mid North Coast.

Police say the 27-year-old from Windale and the 24-year-old from Bar Beach posed as interested buyers in order to steal cars advertised for sale online.

It's alleged the pair ditched a damaged Mazda 6 - allegedly stolen from an address at Bolworra Heights - at West Tea Gardens on Thursday, November 15 before stealing a Toyota Hilux and driving on the wrong side of the Pacific Highway.

The pursuit ended when the car was forced to stop in heavy traffic on the Forster-Tuncurry Bridge.

Police arrested the two women and took them to Maitland Police Station where they were charged with multiple offences including steal motor vehicle, police pursuit – not stop – drive manner dangerous, dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception, aggravated break and enter, drive motor vehicle during disqualification period, having goods in custody suspected of being stolen, and shoplifting.

They were refused bail and will appear in Forster Local Court today. 

Labor Concerned Over Controversial New Cemetery Regulations

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

The state government has voted in favour of plans to allow cemetery operators to exhume the remains of dead people, 25 years after burial.

The Liberal-National Government has used its numbers in parliament to defeat a motion aiming to stop the proposal, which sees burial plots resold to third parties unless families have purchased a 'perpetual' plot.

Those who choose not to, or cannot afford to buy a perpetual plot will essentially rent a cemetery space for their loved one until such time as cemetery operators want to sell the space, under the Cemetery and Crematoria Amendment Regulation 2018. 

The State's Upper House has reviewed the reform, hearing evidence from church groups, some cemetery operators and the NSW Aboriginal Council - with many in opposition to the plan.

Labor has slammed the proposal as "macabre," and is questioning why the state government hasn't moved to open up more cemetery space during its time in power.

The opposition is also concerned the regulation will prompt opportunistic cemetery officers to significantly raise the price of perpetual sites.

In December last year, the public was given a fortnight to have their say on the plan.

Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery said the government's moving forward despite huge community opposition.

"We've not had more people comment on Facebook about an issue than this," she said, "people were concerned, they had many questions which have gone unanswered about those cultural sensitivities, about family matters and about which graves will be dug up and where..."

Even though the regulation has been approved, Ms Hornery believes the community should still be vocal with their opinion of the move.

"Community sentiment can change many things, it might even convince [Premier] Gladys Berejiklian to change if enough community members come forward, and I invite them to write to their local MP voicing their concerns..."

Sonia Hornery said she's also disappointed the regulation was "snuck through" as one not debated in parliament. She hopes the matter will come up for discussion before Premier Berejiklian and Minister for Lands Paul Toole soon.

Sandgate Cemetery in the Wallsend electorate. Image: Northern Cemeteries. 

Short-Term Rentals Boom During Newcastle 500

BY ELISE AKSNES

HomeAway, formerly known as Stayz, has released booking data from the Newcastle 500 weekend to highlight the important role of short-term rentals in helping cities meet tourist demand during large events.

The new data shows that nearly all HomeAway listings in the period November 23rd to November 25th are booked. Only 9 properties remain unbooked for this year's Newcastle 500, with Cooks Hill and Merewether the most popular destinations in the city.

Eacham Curry, HomeAway's Corporate Affairs Director has said the new data shows that travellers to the Newcastle 500 are voting with their feet and booking short-term rental accommodations in droves.

"Holidaying in a rented holiday home is an Australian pastime that tourists have loved for generations," said Mr Curry.

Many Novocastrians are generating a little extra income by letting out their home.

Managing Director for Alloggio, Will Creedon said he is not surprised by the high demand as there is a nationwide need for accommodation. "We are starting to offer a wide variety of accommodation, hotels, motels, bed and breakfast and caravan parks," he said.

Mr Creedon also said that the response has been fantastic both this and last year, and adds that either as a regulated or unregulated organisation it is important to "stick by the rules," as there is a strong code of conduct.

"You absolutely have to adhere to the rules and the regulations. If you don't you should be charged accordingly," said Mr Creedon.

Newcastle Beach Hotel, Alloggio Accommodation

Stockton Beach is Too Dangerous

CHELSEA EDWARDS

Increased erosion at Stockton beach over the past two years has caused dangerous conditions including a lack of sand and large rocks.

As a result, Stockton Surf Life Saving Club has lost out on two Hunter branch carnivals, including a series event with nearly 1000 participants, due to dangerous conditions.

The branch series event and surfboat carnival originally scheduled for Stockton beach, have been relocated to Fingal Bay.

Locals believe rocks on the beach might be coming from the 140 metre rock wall, built in front of the surf club.

Hunter Surf Life Saving CEO Rhonda Scruton says Stockton Surf Life Saving Club is still operating, however, the beach is too dangerous for large events.

"The erosion over there has caused us quite a few problems with being able to conduct a carnival for just under 1000 members."

"Because I have under-eights I've really got to go to a very safe beach. I've moved it up to Fingal beach which is equally a lovely, gentle beach.

"Hopefully the state and the federal government will come to the aid of this. We need to look after this beach, we can't afford to lose it".

Image from: Newcastle Herald