Category: Newcastle News

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.

City of Newcastle libraries at Mayfield and New Lambton will reopen in July following the lifting of some COVID-19 restrictions.
Mayfield and New Lambton branches are scheduled to welcome members and visitors back on site from July 1 and 6 respectively. Operating hours will also be extended at the Newcastle and Wallsend branches.
The staged reopening of libraries has been designed to comply with current capacity limits and prioritise the health and safety of staff and the community through a COVID-safe operating model.
The reopening of the City’s remaining libraries (Adamstown, Beresfield, Hamilton and Stockton) is currently being considered in terms of their ability to safely operate given the continuing COVID-19 restrictions. Lambton Library is currently undergoing a refresh and will reopen once works are completed.
“The community has responded positively to the reopening of our City and Wallsend branches and we appreciate people’s patience as our team works through our COVID-19 safe plan to reopen additional sites,” Manager Libraries and Learning Suzie Gately said.
“We are taking considered measures to ensure we meet Public Health Order requirements, which includes changes to our service delivery and preparing our spaces with additional safeguards.
“The next stage of service resumption will see operating hours extended and two additional branches reopened, allowing us to offer on-site access to the public across a wider service area including our Local History service at the City branch.
“We are also expanding our ‘Library Express’ model to include access to study spaces and technology, and increasing visitation time to one hour from the current limit of 30 minutes.
“We will continue to offer our home library service for the most vulnerable and marginalised in our community along with continuing the Call and Collect service to all members who may not want to come in and browse, and that will help maximise the turnover of members at each site.
“While we are looking forward to welcoming our members back into our various branches, we also expect that many will continue to make the most of our expanded online library services, which offer a convenient and contactless means of accessing a wide range of e-books, audio titles, digital magazines and newspapers, as well as music and movie-streaming platforms.”
More than 6,000 members have visited the Newcastle and Wallsend libraries since they were reopened on 15 June.
Enhanced hygiene and cleaning procedures have been put in place at all library service points, including 24-hour quarantining of all books returned via the external chutes.
For full details of the revised library opening times, visit www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/Library/Home.

A teenage boy has been charged following several alleged aggravated break and enter offences in the Hunter.
In June 2020, officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police Proactive Crime Team commenced Operation Golding to investigate and respond to an increase in property-related crime in Maitland, Rutherford and Aberglasslyn.
Following extensive inquiries, police attended a home in Aberglasslyn and arrested a 15-year-old boy about 12.30pm yesterday (Monday 29 June 2020).
Police will allege the teenager was involved in three separate break and enter offences:

• On Thursday 16 April 2020, a business on High Street, Maitland, was allegedly broken into, where more than $16,000 worth of mountain bikes were stolen and extensive damage was caused to the shopfront.
• On Thursday 30 April 2020, a school on Weblands Street, Rutherford, was allegedly broken into and several iPads were stolen.
• On Monday 22 June 2020, a fast food restaurant on Arthur Street, Rutherford, was allegedly broken into, where a sum of cash was taken and the store suffered significant damage.

The teenage boy was taken to Maitland Police Station and charged with three counts of aggravated break and enter in company with intent to steal.
He was granted strict conditional bail to appear at a children’s court on Friday 17 July 2020.
Investigations under Operation Golding are continuing, with further arrests anticipated.

Police are appealing for information after two men were stabbed during a home invasion at Hawks Nest overnight.
About 10.30pm (Monday 30 June 2020), a 78-year-old man opened the door of his home on Booner Street and was confronted by three unknown men.
The group pushed past the man, assaulting him and stabbing him in the abdomen.
Police have been told the group went upstairs and began assaulting a 53-year-old man.
While attempting to flee, the man was stabbed in the back.
He continued to run from the attackers and was stabbed a further seven times to the back and neck.
The men stole a purse and car keys from a 40-year-old woman, before fleeing the scene on foot.
Emergency services were called, and the younger man was treated by NSW Ambulance Paramedics before being flown to John Hunter Hospital, in a stable condition.
The older man was driven to John Hunter Hospital suffering a stab wound and head injuries. He is in a stable condition.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attended and established a crime scene.
Investigations are continuing.

Immerse yourself in Newcastle’s military history and check out one of the best whale watching vantage points when Fort Scratchley reopens to the public on weekends from 4 July.
Following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, visitors will once again be able to explore the grounds of the historic Fort, which has been standing sentry over Newcastle since 1882.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said she looked forward to the site reopening.
“It’s fantastic that both locals and visitors can once again explore one of Newcastle’s most iconic landmarks and learn more about the important role Fort Scratchley played in our city’s history,” she said.
“Visitors may also be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the humpbacks currently migrating north along the coastline, with the Fort headland offering one of the city’s most spectacular vantage points for whale watching.”
Access will be granted to the outdoor areas of Fort Scratchley, allowing self-guided tours around the barracks and above-ground defence structures, while visitors can witness the time-honoured tradition of the firing the gun at 1pm on weekends.
The large grassed headland is also ideal for those wanting to enjoy a picnic or take advantage of the panoramic views of the ocean and harbour.
Capacity limits will apply for those who want to visit the museum exhibition rooms, gift shop or onsite café, while guided tours of the historic tunnels and group bookings remain temporarily suspended.
Newcastle Councillor Peta Winney-Baartz said the staged reopening of the Fort will allow visitors to access many of its unique experiences whilst ensuring the health and safety of volunteers and the public.
“While it will be wonderful to visit the Fort, I remind visitors to continue to practise physical distancing and follow the signage, floor markers and direction of the dedicated volunteers from the Fort Scratchley Historical Society, who will be monitoring capacity to ensure it remains at a safe level, ” Cr Winney-Baartz said.
Fort Scratchley will reopen from 10am to 4pm on weekends only, from Saturday, 4 July. General admission entry is free and no bookings are required.
A range of enhanced hygiene measures are being implemented at the site, including touchfree hand sanitiser stations at entry points and increased cleaning regimes during operational hours.