Category: Newcastle News

A volunteer youth worker will reappear in court today charged over the alleged sexual touching of a young boy near Newcastle.
On Tuesday (22 December 2020), police received reports that an eight-year-old boy had been sexually touched by a man while attending a vacation care program at a youth club in Broadmeadow.
The matter was referred to detectives from the State Crime Command’s Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad, who commenced an investigation.
Following inquiries, detectives, with assistance from officers attached to Newcastle City Police District, attended a home in Lambton and arrested a 57-year-old man about 11.40pm the same day.
The man was taken to Waratah Police Station and charged with three counts of sexual touching (child under 10 years).
Police will allege in court that the man sexually touched the boy while working as a volunteer youth worker at a youth club in Broadmeadow.
The man appeared at Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday 23 December 2020, where he was granted strict conditional bail to reappear at the same court today (Wednesday 20 January 2021).
Investigations are continuing.
The Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad is comprised of detectives who are specially trained to investigate matters against children and adults, including sexual assault, serious physical abuse, and extreme cases of neglect.
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: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. People should not report crime information via our Facebook and Twitter pages.

Police have seized several prohibited weapons and precursors for explosives during a search of a Lake Macquarie home.
About 12.30pm yesterday (Tuesday 19 January 2021), officers from Lake Macquarie Police District were assisting Sheriff’s Officers with an eviction order at a Swansea property, where they spoke with three people – two women and a man.
All three people left the premises without incident. During an initial search of the home, sheriff officers allegedly located a firearm near the front door of the premises.
Police declared a crime scene and subsequently applied for and executed a search warrant at the property.
During the search, officers located and seized more than a dozen firearms, ammunition, knuckle dusters, a sling shot, a crossbow, a jet ski and trailer believed to have been stolen, cash, prohibited drugs and powders believed to be precursors for the manufacture of explosives.
All items were taken to Belmont Police Station for forensic analysis, while the jet ski and trailer were returned to the owner.
An investigation has been launched into the origins of the items located within the home.
Anyone who may have information which could assist investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Expressions of Interest are now open for the 2021 Newcastle Stronger Communities Program (NSCP) which gives local community groups the chance to secure grants of up to $20,000.
Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon said a total funding pool of $150,000 would be available for local organisations to undertake small capital projects.
Ms Claydon said the rules had changed from previous years in recognition of the extra financial pressure brought to bear on community organisations by COVID-19.
“This year, a special round of the program will allow local organisations to apply for up to 100 per cent of the funding for projects which will improve local community participation.
“Community-based, not-for-profit organisations are eligible to apply for grants of between $2,500 and $20,000.
“Local Government can apply for up to 50 per cent of eligible expenditure for grants between $5,000 and $20,000.”
Ms Claydon said the many community organisations had being doing it tough as a result of the pandemic.
“Cash-strapped community organisations often struggle to raise funds, leaving important projects stuck on the backburner. These grants can help to make them a reality.
“A wide range of projects could be eligible for funding from building renovations to facilities upgrades or new equipment. I encourage all eligible groups to consider applying.”
Some of the NSCP recipients of the previous round include:

• $10,500 to Mark Hughes Foundation to purchase a community vehicle to transport brain cancer patients and their families
• $18,766 to Hunter Brain Injury Respite Options to make modifications to one of their respite properties
• $8,624 to Newcastle ArtSpace for a makeover including new entrance doors and exhibit wall
• $12,500 to Adamstown Bowling Club to upgrade the greens and toilets for improved disability access
• $10,030 to Elermore Vale Men’s Shed for a full electrical fit-out of the new shed
• $12,730 to Jenny’s Place for a new car to improve community access and transport victims of domestic and family violence
• $3,900 to ComputerPals Newcastle to replace old computers and data projectors
• $12,450 to Young People’s Theatre to refurbish the theatre to comply with fire regulations
• $2,500 to Headspace Newcastle for an Aboriginal art installation
• $17,500 to Stockton Tennis Club to replace the synthetic court grass

Expressions of Interest close on Friday, 19 February 2021. Applications will be assessed by the Newcastle Community Selection Panel and successful organisations will be requested to submit a more detailed project application in March 2021.
More information, including eligibility details and timelines for applying, is available at http://www.sharonclaydon.com/stronger_communities_grants

Three people have died, and a man is in a critical condition, following a head-on crash at Muswellbrook overnight.
Just before 9.30pm (Sunday 17 January 2021), emergency services were called to Bengalla Road following a crash between a Kia Carnival and a utility.
The driver and sole occupant of the utility – a man believed to be aged in his 30s – died at the scene.
The male driver and a female passenger in the Kia also died at the scene. They are yet to formally identified and their ages aren’t known.
A passenger in the Kia, a man believed to be aged in his 60s, was airlifted to John Hunter Hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Police from Hunter Valley Police District established a crime scene and an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash is underway.
A report will be prepared for the Coroner.

Police are appealing for public assistance to help locate a boy missing from the Hunter region.
Jayden Dalton, aged 12, was last seen at a shopping centre on the corner of Thomas Coke Drive and Taylor Avenue, Thornton, about 7.40pm yesterday (Friday 15 January 2021).
It’s believed he boarded a train at Thornton Railway Station about 7.55pm, before exiting at Beresfield Railway Station just before 8pm and was seen walking towards Woodberry.
He was reported missing to officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District, who commenced inquiries to locate him.
Concerns are held for his welfare due to his age and medical conditions.
Jayden is described as being of Caucasian appearance and about 130cm tall.
He was last seen wearing black ‘Harry Potter’ t-shirt, yellow shorts, black ‘Nike’ shoes and white socks. He had a black and purple scooter with him.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.

A woman will face court today charged with murder following a fatal domestic-related stabbing in the Hunter region overnight.
About 7.20pm (Saturday 16 January 2021), emergency services were called to a home on Ronald Street, in the Maitland suburb of Tenambit, after reports a man had been injured.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attended and found a 51-year-old man suffering stab wounds to his stomach. Despite the efforts of police and paramedics, the man died at the scene.
A 23- year-old woman, known to the man, was arrested and taken to Maitland Police Station.
A crime scene was established at the home which is being forensically examined. Detectives have commenced an investigation under Strike Force Creekborough.
The woman has since been charged with murder and refused bail to appear at Newcastle Bail Court today (Sunday 17 January 2021).

From a stirring salute to the Hunter’s frontline health workers to the city’s largest simultaneous pool party, there will be plenty of COVID safe activities to enjoy across Newcastle on 26 January.
City of Newcastle is bringing the Australia Day fun to the suburbs this year, delivering a range of diverse events spread across the Local Government Area that will allow families to enjoy the day closer to home.
Newcastle Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said due to COVID precautions and awareness, localised events across the city provided the ideal way for the community to safely come together.
City of Newcastle’s traditional Australia Day citizenship ceremony, which in the past has been one of the largest in the state, will also become a COVID safe event this year, with the Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor holding simultaneous ceremonies via Zoom to allow our newest citizens to make their pledge to Australia in a COVID safe environment.
“Throughout the pandemic, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our community has been our highest priority,” the Deputy Lord Mayor said.
“Our Australia Day program of events, much like our New Year’s festivities, has been designed to provide opportunities for Novocastrians to get involved in activities within their surrounding neighbourhoods and at some of our city’s most iconic locations.
“Smaller gatherings with dispersed crowds offer a safer way for people to come together and connect on 26 January, whether they’re packing a blanket and heading down to enjoy the produce stalls, food trucks and family-friendly entertainment at Richley Reserve, or cooling off at the city’s largest simultaneous pool party with inflatable fun and roving entertainment.
“Fort Scratchley will also use 26 January to provide a fitting salute to healthcare workers at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19, with 24 of those frontline staff given the opportunity to fire the Fort’s historic guns at 1pm.”
Fort Scratchley will offer a day full of activities, with a flag raising accompanied by the stirring sounds of the City of Newcastle RSL Pipe and Drums at 11am followed by the first of three gun firing ceremonies on the day (also at 1pm and 3pm).
Morse code demonstrations and a sausage sizzle hosted by the Lions Club will add to the atmosphere, while visitors are able to explore the Fort’s historic museum exhibition rooms or enjoy a picnic on the grassed headland with spectacular views of the ocean and harbour.
Sports enthusiasts can enjoy the final day’s action of the Beach 5s Rugby Tournament at Nobbys Beach, which showcases an entertaining and fast-paced hybrid game using modified rugby league, rugby union and touch football rules.
The teams-based competition has been hosted in Queensland previously but will have its first showing in Newcastle on 24-26 January, with former professional players Lote Tuqiri, Danny Buderus, Willie Mason and Robbie O’Davis headlining the City of Newcastle-supported event.
Locals looking for other family-friendly options for Australia Day can also check out the current exhibitions on offer at the city’s key cultural facilities including Colour by Questacon and 1×4 at Newcastle Museum and We Can Be Heroes: a backstage pass at Newcastle Art Gallery.
Australia Day celebrations
Food Market
Richley Reserve
10am to 4pm
Food-based market stalls, food trucks, roving entertainment, reptile shows and activities for children.
Pool Parties
Beresfield, Mayfield, Stockton and Wallsend pools
10am to 4pm
Activations include inflatables and roving entertainment.
Historical activities
Fort Scratchley
10am – 4pm
City of Newcastle RSL Pipe and Drums performance and flag raising (11am), firing of the Fort guns at 11am, 1pm and 3pm, Lions Club sausage sizzle, museum exhibition rooms, morse code demonstration.
Beach 5s Rugby
Nobbys Beach
24-26 January
Former professional players Lote Tuqiri, Danny Buderus, Willie Mason and Robbie O’Davis will be headlining the Beach 5s Rugby Festival presented City of Newcastle, which will see men’s, women’s and youth teams contest five-a-side sand-based matches based on modified rules of rugby union, rugby league and touch football
Colour exhibition
Newcastle Museum
10am – 5pm
Engage with more than 20 scientific experiences and see colour as you’ve never seen it before in this exhibition developed by Questacon – the National Science and Technology Centre and presented by Newcastle Museum.
We Can Be Heroes: a backstage pass exhibition
Newcastle Art Gallery
10am – 5pm
Music lovers will be given a backstage pass to some of the biggest bands and gigs in the world through this exhibition, which showcases rarely seen and previously unreleased photographs of Australian and international musicians.

Police are appealing for information after reports of a child approach in the Hunter region today.
About 2pm (Friday 15 January 2021), a teenage boy was at a skate park on Milbrodale Road, Broke, when he was approached by a man driving a white van.
Police have been told the man spoke to the boy, aged 13, before offering to give him lollies if he got into the vehicle.
The boy declined and began walking along Wollombi Road. He noticed the van following him before running home and informing a family member.
The incident was reported to police and an investigation commenced by officers from Hunter Valley Police District.
As inquiries continue, police would like to speak to a man who may be able to assist with inquiries.
He is described as being of Caucasian appearance, aged in his 40s, with long black hair, a beard and was dressed in all black.
Police are also appealing for anyone who may have seen a white van or may have been driving in the area with a dashcam around the time of the incident, to come forward.

A teenager has died while swimming in a public pool in the Hunter region this afternoon.
About 3.30pm today (Friday 15 January 2021), emergency services were called to an aquatic centre on Les Darcy Drive, Maitland, following reports a teenager was in trouble in the water.
A 13-year old girl, yet to be formally identified, was pulled from the water and lifeguards commenced CPR.
NSW Ambulance paramedics attended and continued CPR before transferring her to John Hunter Hospital, however, she later died.
Officers attached to Port Stephen-Hunter Police District attended and have commenced inquiries.
A report will be provided for the information of the coroner.

Two men will appear at court today charged over alleged drug offences in the Lake Macquarie area.
Officers from the Lake Macquarie Police District have been investigating the alleged supply of prohibited drugs, mainly methylamphetamine, in the Windale and Gateshead areas.
As a result of ongoing inquiries, police were conducting patrols of the Gateshead area when they stopped and spoke with a 38-year-old man on Coral Crescent about 10.40am yesterday (Thursday 14 January 2021).
During a person search, officers allegedly located methylamphetamine.
He was arrested and taken to Belmont Police Station.
About 4.40pm that same day, detectives executed a search warrant at a home on Coral Crescent and arrested a 54-year-old man.
During the search, police located and seized methylamphetamine, cannabis, and more than $20,000 in cash.
Both men were taken to Belmont Police Station, where the older man was charged with five offences, including supply indictable quantity prohibited drug, recklessly deal with the proceeds of crime and possess prohibited drug.
The younger man was charged with supply indictable quantity prohibited drug and possess prohibited drug.
Both men were refused bail to appear at Belmont Local Court today (Friday 15 January 2021).