Category: Newcastle News

A man and woman have been charged after allegedly assaulting three police officers in the Newcastle area yesterday.
About 4.10pm (Tuesday 23 June 2020), emergency services were called to Long Crescent, Shortland, following an altercation between a group of people.
Upon arrival, officers attached to Newcastle City Police District spoke to a man and a woman who allegedly became abusive towards police and refused to leave the premises.
After the man allegedly grabbed an officer, he was restrained and continued to resist, kicking a Sergeant and Senior Constable.
OC spray was deployed, and the 30-year-old man was arrested.
During the man’s arrest, the woman allegedly tried to intervene and spat at officers, before she allegedly pushed and kicked a Senior Constable and stole a set of handcuffs.
OC spray was again deployed, and the 35-year-old woman was arrested.
Both the man and woman were taken to Waratah Police Station where they allegedly continued to act aggressively towards police. Medical assistance was declined.
The three officers sustained minor injuries including abrasions to their knees and hands and some swelling.
All officers were affected by OC spray.
The man was charged with two counts of assault officer in execution of duty and two counts of resist officer in execution of duty.
He was refused bail to appear in Newcastle Local Court today (Wednesday 24 Jane 2020).
The woman was also charged with two counts of assault officer in execution of duty and two counts of resist officer in execution of duty.
The woman was granted conditional bail to appear in Newcastle Local Court on Thursday 23 July 2020.

A man has been charged after allegedly threatening a police officer with a knife in Newcastle yesterday.
Police will allege in court that about 2.10pm yesterday (Tuesday 23 June 2020), officers attached to Newcastle City Police District were patrolling Hamilton South when they were approached by a member of the public about a possible brawl occurring on Fowler Street.
Police approached the crowd that was gathered and as they stopped the marked police vehicle, a 28-year-old man allegedly approached the driver’s side window armed with a large knife.
The driver, a Senior Constable, had the window down to speak with the man who allegedly raised the knife toward him.
The driver’s partner, also a Senior Constable, exited the vehicle and called upon the man to drop the knife.
The man dropped the weapon as the two officers subsequently placed him under arrest.
During the arrest, a second man, aged 35, approached the officers and attempted to stop them effecting the arrest, while a third man kicked the door of the police vehicle.
The officers called for further assistance as they deployed OC spray towards the 35-year-old.
Further police arrived shortly after and the 35-year-old was arrested.
Both were taken to Newcastle Police Station and charged.
A 28-year-old Hamilton South man was charged with using an offensive weapon with intent to commit indictable offence. He was refused bail to appear in Newcastle Local Court today (Wednesday 24 June 2020).
A 35-year-old man, also from Hamilton South, was charged with affray and hinder police. He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Wednesday 24 June 2020).
Investigations are continuing to identify and locate the third man.

The Marine Area Command has rescued a man after his boat capsized off the Newcastle coast today.
About 11.40am (Tuesday 23 June 2020), officers from Newcastle Water Police were called to waters off the coast of Stockton, following reports a runabout boat returning to shore encountered trouble and was sinking.
On arrival, officers located the skipper and sole occupant of the vessel, a 41-year-old man, clinging to the overturned boat.
Police rescued the man and he was returned to the Newcastle harbour safely. He did not require medical assistance.
The vessel sank and was not able to be salvaged.

A man will appear in court today charged over two separate alleged stabbings at a shopping centre complex in Newcastle last week.
About 8.45pm on Thursday 18 June 2020, a 38-year-old man was allegedly stabbed by another man in the carpark of a shopping centre on Turton Road, Waratah.
The man suffered cuts to his forearm and was taken to John Hunter Hospital in a stable condition.
In a separate incident, a 26-year-old woman was allegedly stabbed by a man in the carpark of a shopping centre on Wallace Street, Waratah, about 2pm on Sunday 21 June 2020. The woman was with the 38-year-old man at the time of the incident.
She suffered a stab wound to her arm and was taken to John Hunter Hospital, where she has since undergone surgery.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District commenced an investigation into the incidents, which are believed to be linked and targeted.
Following inquiries, detectives arrested a 20-year-old man at a home on Harriet Street, Waratah, about 6.20am today (Tuesday 23 June 2020).
The man was taken to Waratah Police Station and charged with two counts of wound person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
“I commend police on their tenacious work which has resulted in the arrest of the man,” said Commander of Newcastle City Police District Superintendent Brett Greentree.
“These attacks were targeted, and police acted swiftly to put someone before the courts,” said Superintendent Greentree.
“Any serious incident that occurs in the community is of great concern and our priority is keeping the community safe.”
The man has been refused bail and is due to appear in Newcastle Local Court today (Tuesday 23 June 2020).

The first stage of a key cycleway linking the city centre to Merewether Beach has been fast tracked in recognition of the city’s newfound love for cycling since lockdown measures were introduced in March to contain the spread of COVID-19.
The project has been given a $3.1 million funding boost under Newcastle’s COVID-19 stimulus budget, allowing for completion of construction of a 1.1km section that stretches from Merewether Beach to Glebe Road at The Junction.

Plans include a 2.5m-wide, bi-directional shared path along Watkins Street and Coane Street, between Watkins and John Parade, with new and upgraded crossings for pedestrians and cyclists.
“By prioritising our investment in Newcastle’s cycleway infrastructure we hope to help encourage this surge of interest to continue beyond the current climate, enabling cycling to play an even larger role within Newcastle’s transport mix now and in the future,” Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
“The cycleway will create an important connection with one of the city’s favourite coastal destinations and encourage more people to make the switch to pedal power.
“We are committed to promoting cycling as a genuine transport option for residents, families, commuters and recreational users, which is why expansion and improvement of the cycleway network is one of the City’s priority projects.
“Improving and expanding Newcastle’s cycling network is an important investment in the future of our city, in line with the adopted Newcastle Cycling Strategy and Action Plan.”
Almost $5 million has been allocated to cycleways projects under the revised 2020-21 capital works budget, including $3.1 million for the Merewether to The Junction  cycleway, as well as funding for a missing cycleway link on University Drive between Blue Gum Road and the inner-city bypass in Birmingham Gardens.
Councillor and cycling enthusiast John Mackenzie welcomed the funding.
“Cycleways deliver a range of benefits to the community by reducing pollution and congestion on our roads, improving a person’s health and wellbeing and reducing their environmental impact,” Cr Mackenzie said.
“I am pleased to see these cycleways projects being prioritised within the revised budget and look forward to seeing them progress during the next 12 months and beyond.
“Our community has been very clear in stating that improved cycleways throughout the city would encourage people to swap the car for the bike in their daily commute to work and school.
“This initial stage is an important step towards the completion of the overall City Centre to Merewether Beach cycleway project, which will provide a first-class route between the inner city and one of our most popular beaches.
“In recent months, as a result of COVID-19, we have seen increasing numbers of residents making use of our city’s cycleways for both transportation and recreational purposes.”
Concept designs for the Merewether Beach to The Junction cycleway will go on public exhibition from Monday 29 June until Monday 27 July via the City of Newcastle website.

The reopening of the City’s cultural attractions will continue this week when Newcastle Museum throws open its doors to the public.
The Museum will recommence its operations on Tuesday 23 June, with three daily one-hour sessions being held between 9.30am and 1.30pm.
Each session will be capped at 45 people, with the restrictions designed to allow visitors to enjoy many of the museum’s most popular attractions while still complying with the latest NSW Public Health Order.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the reopening of the museum will provide another exciting option for locals and visitors looking to make the most of the easing COVID-19 restrictions.
“Following on from the successful reopening of the Newcastle Art Gallery and several Newcastle Regional Library branches, I’m pleased to see the community once again given the opportunity to enjoy the cultural and historic displays on offer at Newcastle Museum,” she said.
“As with all our reopened facilities, careful planning has gone in to being able to safely reintroduce staff and visitors into this space. We ask that visitors continue to practise social distancing, following the floor markers and direction of our staff.”
Newcastle Museum Director Julie Baird said while the facility’s interactive attractions will remain closed for safety in line with State guidelines, the museum still offers an entertaining and informative experience that provides a fascinating insight into Newcastle’s rich heritage.
“We’re so pleased to be able to open our doors and invite visitors back to Newcastle Museum,” she said.
“The public’s safety, and that of our team, is our top priority. So we’ve had to make some changes in our exhibition spaces, as well as remove a lot of our interactive exhibitions such as Supernova and Mininova for now.
“There is still more to discover, from the FIRE! Exhibition, A Newcastle Story, the popular BHP steelmaking simulation and the Cultural Resurgence and Kuueeyung exhibitions, which allow you to reflect on and absorb aspects of our rich local Aboriginal history and culture.”
The Museum will open from Tuesday to Saturday each week. Entry is free, however online bookings via newcastlemuseum.com.au are required before visitors arrive.
A series of Frequently Asked Questions are available at newcastlemuseum.com.au to assist the community with further information about the changes they may experience during their visit.

A passenger who allegedly fled from police has been arrested and charged after three officers were assaulted, one of them suffering a fractured eye socket, in the Hunter region last night.
About 8.40pm (Sunday 21 June 2020), an officer from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District stopped a Ford hatchback on Trevor Street, Telarah, after it was allegedly driving dangerously.
Police will allege two men, the driver and a passenger, got out of the car and approached the officer as he was walking towards them.
The driver, a 20-year-old man, allegedly pushed the male officer. As the sergeant tried to arrest the man, the passenger inserted himself between the men.
The driver then allegedly punched the officer to the face, before both men allegedly fled the scene on foot.
Shortly after, the driver was sighted at a nearby railway corridor trying to jump a fence when two officers attempted to restrain him. The driver allegedly punched a constable multiple times before jumping over the fence.
A senior constable followed him over the fence and was also allegedly punched before the 20-year-old man was eventually arrested and charged. He remains before the courts.
The sergeant was taken to John Hunter Hospital for treatment for a fractured eye socket. The two other officers were treated for minor lacerations and soft tissue damage at Maitland Hospital. All have since been discharged.
Following further inquiries, a 24-year-old man was arrested at a home on Ada Street, Telarah, just after 3pm today (Monday 22 June 2020).
He was taken to Maitland Police Station and charged with assault police officer in execution of duty cause actual bodily harm, resist officer in execution of duty and escape police custody.
The man was refused bail to appear at Maitland Local Court tomorrow (Tuesday 23 June 2020).

Three officers have been assaulted – one sustaining a fractured eye socket – after a vehicle stop in Maitland overnight.
About 8.40pm (Sunday 21 June 2020), an officer attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District stopped a silver Ford hatchback on Trevor Street in Telarah after it was observed driving in a dangerous manner.
Police will allege one male exited the vehicle and walked towards the Sergeant, attempting to block his vision of the car.
At this time, the officer observed another male exit from the driver’s side of the vehicle before he began acting erratically and allegedly pushed the officer in the chest.
As the officer attempted to arrest the driver, the second male allegedly inserted himself between the two men. The driver then allegedly punched the officer to the left side of his face, impacting with his eye.
Both men then fled the scene on foot.
Shortly after, the driver was sighted at a nearby railway corridor trying to jump a fence when two officers attempted to restrain him. During the melee, the driver allegedly punched a Constable in the neck and shoulder area multiple times before jumping over the fence.
A Senior Constable followed him over the fence and was also allegedly punched before the 20-year-old man was eventually restrained and arrested.
The man was taken to Maitland Police Station and charged with driving without a licence, drive vehicle under influence of alcohol, assault police officer in execution of duty cause actual bodily harm, escape police custody, two counts of resist officer in execution of duty, and two counts of assault police officer in execution of duty without actual bodily harm
The Curlewis man was refused bail to appear in Maitland Local Court today (Monday 22 June 2020).
Two female occupants of the Ford are assisting police with inquiries, while the male occupant remains outstanding.
The Sergeant was taken to John Hunter Hospital for treatment for a fractured eye socket. The two other officers were treated for minor lacerations and soft tissue damage at Maitland Hospital. All have since been discharged.

Police are appealing for witnesses following a stabbing at Waratah.
Just after 2pm today (Sunday 21 June 2020), emergency services were called to a shopping centre on Wallace Street where they found a woman with a stab wound to her arm.
The 26-year-old was taken to John Hunter Hospital for treatment.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District have established multiple crime scenes in the car park and have commenced inquiries.
Police have been told the woman was stabbed by a man, who then fled the scene.
Anyone who witnessed the incident, or the events leading up to it, is urged to contact police immediately.

A man has been charged with murder following the discovery of a woman’s body at a home in the Hunter overnight.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District were called to a home on Galway Crescent at Metford shortly before 1.30am (Saturday 20 June 2020), where they spoke to a 20-year-old man outside.
Subsequent inquiries located the body of an 18-year-old woman deceased inside the home. She is yet to be formally identified.
The man was arrested and taken to Maitland Police Station.
A crime scene has been established at the home and inquiries are now underway by detectives attached to Port Stephens-Hunter PD, assisted by State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad.
The man has since been charged with murder and refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court tomorrow (Sunday 21 June 2020).