Category: Newcastle News

 
A man is in a stable condition after a domestic-related stabbing in Muswellbrook overnight.
About 12.30am (Friday 3 July 2020), a 22-year-old man and a 17-year-old girl were at a home on Wollombi Road, Muswellbrook, when a 48-year-old man and a teenage boy attended the home.
Police have been told the 48-year-old man became aggressive towards the 22-year-old man before there was a struggle between the pair and the older man was stabbed in the shoulder and abdomen.
Officers from Hunter Valley Police District attended a short time later and established a crime scene, which will be examined by specialist forensic police.
The older man was airlifted to John Hunter Hospital, where he remains in a stable condition.
The younger man suffered minor injuries and was taken to Muswellbrook Hospital for treatment.
He has since been released and taken to Muswellbrook Police Station where he was charged with contravene prohibition/restriction in AVO and breach of bail.
He was refused bail to appear at Muswellbrook Local Court today (Friday 3 July 2020).
Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident are continuing.

City of Newcastle has joined forces with six other leading Hunter organisations to champion the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to create a better, more sustainable future for all.
The SDGs are a universal call to action to end poverty, fight inequality, protect the planet and ensure peace and prosperity for future generations. There are 17 Goals addressing global challenges, from clean energy and climate action to human rights advocacy and gender equality.
The City has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Compass Housing, CIFAL – University of Newcastle, Kumalie, Port of Newcastle, Hunter Water and Port Waratah Coal Services to grow and improve the implementation of the SDGs within the Hunter Region.
^{Representatives of the Hunter Region SDG Memorandum of Understanding signatories meet via Zoom.}
In addition, City of Newcastle has joined the Hunter Region SDG Taskforce, launched in May. As a key member, the City will host a webinar as part of a monthly program on Goal 15 (Life on Land) to coincide with Biodiversity Month in September.
Deputy Lord Mayor Councillor Declan Clausen said City of Newcastle was committed to achieving each Goal by 2030, underpinned by their integration in the City’s Annual Reporting in 2019 and Community Strategic Plan in 2018, and welcomed the opportunity for further collaboration across the region.
“City of Newcastle is already leading the local government sector on climate action, making great strides in the field over the past five years and becoming the first NSW Council to become powered by 100% renewable energy,” Cr Clausen said.
“Our 2025 Climate Action Plan, currently in development, will set our goals and priorities for the next five years to build on these achievements.
“Signing the MOU and gaining a seat at the table on the Hunter Region SDG Taskforce continues our transformation into a more sustainable city and fosters a strong, collaborative approach to implementing the Sustainable Development Goals locally.”
In another coup, City of Newcastle has become the 11^th city in the Oceania and Asia-Pacific Region to join the 2020 SDGs Cities Challenge.
Facilitated by Melbourne University’s Connected Cities Lab, the 2020 SDGs Cities Challenge is a 10-month action research project designed to support participating cities in working towards implementing the targets and indicators. Expertise is provided by local government, academia and business, including the Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia and the Banksia Foundation, to identify the best approach for cities to deliver on the SDGs.
City of Newcastle joins Davao City (Philippines), Alor Gajah Municipal Council (Malaysia), City of Dehradun (India), Port Vila (Vanuatu), City of Honiara (Solomon Islands), City of Melbourne, City of Warrnambool, City of Whitehorse, University of Melbourne Student Precinct, and City of Woollahra in participating in the Challenge.

A man has been charged after prohibited drugs and explosive devices were located at a home in the Hunter region yesterday.
Officers attached to the Hunter Valley Police District Proactive Crime Team conducted a Firearms Prohibition Order (FPO) search at a home on Fifth Street, Weston, about 10.30am (Wednesday 1 July 2020).
During the search, police located and seized an amount of methylamphetamine, cannabis, more than $10,000 cash, drug paraphernalia, and explosive detonators.
Police arrested a 36-year-old man at the scene and he was taken to Cessnock Police Station.
He was charged with seven offences including:

• Possess prohibited drug (x4)
• Possess, supply or make explosive for unlawful purpose
• Goods in custody suspected being stolen (x2)

He was refused bail to face Newcastle Local Court today (Thursday 2 July 2020).
Specialist police were called to the station to safely destroy the explosive materials.

Two teenagers have been charged following an alleged aggravated robbery in Newcastle yesterday.
About 7.20pm (Wednesday 1 July 2020), a 31-year-old man parked his vehicle near the intersection of Merewether and Hunter Streets, Newcastle, when he was approached by two juveniles.
The pair – a teenage boy and a girl – allegedly threatened the man with a knife, demanding his car keys and phone before attempting to open the vehicle. They were unsuccessful and fled east along Hunter Street.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District attended and commenced inquiries.
A short time later, a 14-year-old boy and 16-year-old girl were arrested after being stopped by officers on Darby Street, Cooks Hill.
During a search, police allegedly located a knife, the man’s car keys and cannabis.
Both were taken to Newcastle Police Station and charged with robbery in company and custody of knife in public place.
The girl was also charged with possess prohibited drug.
Both were refused bail to appear at a children’s court today (Thursday 2 July 2020).

A man has been charged following a siege at Newcastle earlier today.
About 9.20am (Thursday 2 July 2020), officers from Newcastle City Police District were called to Warkworth Street, Maryland, following reports of a domestic dispute.
Upon arrival, police were confronted by a man, allegedly armed with a knife, while two women and two children also remained inside the home.
A perimeter was established and during negotiations, the man allegedly armed himself with an air pellet gun and fired several rounds at police, with two officers – a sergeant and constable – hit. Both suffered minor injuries and did not require further treatment.
Specialist police units – including Negotiators, Tactical Operations Regional Support and Police Rescue – were deployed a short time later.
Negotiators spoke to the 30-year-old man for a short time before he surrendered to police about 11.15am and was arrested.
He was taken to Newcastle Police Station and charged with common assault (DV), destroy or damage property (DV), discharge firearm with intent to resist arrest, fire firearm manner likely injure persons/property, use unauthorised prohibited firearm, not keep firearm safely-prohibited firearm, armed with intent commit indictable offence, assault police officer in execution of duty cause actual bodily harm, and assault police officer in execution of duty without actual bodily harm.
The man was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court tomorrow (Friday 3 July 2020).

Strike Force Trawler detectives have charged a man from the Hunter Valley following an investigation into the alleged online grooming of a child.
In May, detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crime Squad’s Child Exploitation Internet Unit (CEIU) began engaging online with a man from Kurri Kurri.
Police will allege in court that the man believed he was speaking with a 14-year-old girl and engaged in conversations about sexually-explicit acts he wished to perform with the child and sent her explicit material.
About 9.40am (Wednesday 1 July 2020), following extensive inquiries, strike force investigators arrested a 47-year-old man at a caravan park in Singleton.
The man was taken to Singleton Police Station and charged with use carriage service to solicit child abuse material and use carriage service to groom child under 16 years for sex.
He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today.

A woman will face court later this month charged with several drug offences in Raymond Terrace.
About 1am today (Wednesday 1 July 2020), officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District were conducting patrols of Raymond Terrace when they approached a white Toyota Yaris on Cook Street.
Police spoke with occupants of the vehicle, including the front seat passenger – a 25-year-old woman – before conducting a vehicle search.
During the search police allegedly located and seized amphetamines, several prescription medications, drug paraphernalia and mobile phones.
The woman was arrested and taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station.
She has been charged with two counts of possess prohibited drug, three counts of goods in custody and one count of supply prohibited drug.
She was granted strict conditional bail to appear at Raymond Terrace Local Court on Monday 27 July 2020.

A Lake Macquarie man will appear in court today charged by Strike Force Trawler detectives following an investigation into the alleged online grooming and procuring of a child.
Last month, detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crime Squad’s Child Exploitation Internet Unit (CEIU) began engaging online with a man from Morriset.
Police will allege in court that the man believed he was speaking with a 14-year-old girl and engaged in conversations about sexually-explicit acts he wished the child to perform and sent explicit material.
It will also be alleged that the man arranged to meet the girl in person.
Following extensive investigations, strike force detectives arrested a 40-year-old man at a business in Mannering Park about 2.30pm yesterday (Tuesday 30 June 2020).
Investigators seized the man’s phone before he was taken to Wyong Police Station and charged with
use carriage service to procure child under 16 years for sexual activity.
He was refused bail to appear at Wyong Local Court today (Wednesday 1 July 2020).
Strike Force Trawler is an ongoing investigation by the CEIU into the sexual abuse and exploitation of children facilitated through the internet and related telecommunications devices.
Regular covert online investigations are conducted by the CEIU; and police in NSW work closely with their law-enforcement colleagues interstate and overseas.
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 released CCTV footage as inquiries continue into the stealing of boat near Port Stephens earlier this month.
Just before 11am on Thursday 18 June 2020, a white Trailcraft vessel was stolen from outside a home on Bagnalls Beach Road, Corlette.
Officers from the Marine Area Command were notified and commenced an investigation.
As part of their inquiries, officers have released CCTV of a white vehicle travelling on Salamander Way, Corlette, in an appeal to locate the driver.
Investigators believe the male driver could assist with their inquiries.
The vehicle has been described as a white Nissan Navara utility 2010-2012 model, with a black bull bar, and black and yellow NSW numberplates.
Boat owners are also advised to ensure their vessels are properly secured to reduce the risk of theft. Other safety tips include:

• Security devices installed on boats should be resistant to water, salt and humidity.
• Install locks on your vessels. Marine dealers carry special exterior hatch locks. When fastened with a quality padlock, one of these improves security.
• To enhance window security, locksmiths carry a variety of special, small locks and fasteners, which can be used to increase the security of other types of windows. For sliding windows, place a length of doweling in the track to prevent the window from being forced open.
• If your boat is kept in the water, use a marina with full time security and/or good lighting.
• If you are leaving your boat for long periods of time, ensure that someone else is able to check your boat on a regular basis.