Category: Newcastle News

A man will appear in court today after being extradited from Queensland over the alleged sexual assault of a boy in the Hunter region last year.
In September 2019, detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad commenced an investigation after reports a 12-year-old boy had been sexually assaulted by a man who was known to him.
Following extensive investigations, and after attempts to locate the man, detectives applied for and were granted an arrest warrant.
As a result of further inquiries, a 21-year-old man was arrested by officers from the Queensland Police Service’s Child Protection and Investigation Unit at a home in Tinara, Queensland, on Monday (18 November 2019).
Detectives travelled to Queensland, where they applied for and were granted the man’s extradition to NSW at Maryborough Magistrates Court yesterday (Tuesday 19 November 2019).
The man was escorted by detectives on a flight to Sydney and taken to Mascot Police Station, where he was charged with intentionally sexually touch child between 10 and 16 years (DV) and have sexual intercourse with child between 10 and 14 years.
Police will allege in court that the man sexually assaulted the boy – then aged 11 – on two occasions in December 2018.
He was refused bail to appear at Central Local Court today (Wednesday 20 November 2019).

Police will TOMORROW launch a high-visibility operation for this year’s Coates Hire Newcastle 500.
Operation Newcastle Supercars 2019 will commence tomorrow (Thursday 21 November 2019), until Monday 25 November 2019, to ensure the safety and security of competitors, officials, the local community and tens of thousands of spectators expected to attend throughout the event.
General duties officers from Newcastle City Police District and across Northern Region, will be assisted by specialist police, from the Public Order and Riot Squad (PORS), Operations Support Groups (OSG), Dog Unit, PolAir, Licensing Police, Bicycle Unit, Youth Command (PCYC), Police Transport Command and Traffic & Highway Patrol Command throughout the operation.

An off-duty police officer has been injured following an alleged assault in the state’s Hunter region overnight.
About 8pm yesterday (Tuesday 19 November 2019), a 43-year-old man was walking his dogs on Park Street, East Maitland when he observed a white BMW driving at high speed.
The vehicle stopped a short distance away and the off-duty officer – a detective senior constable attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District – called out to the driver, a 32-year-old man.
The younger man approached the off-duty officer before he allegedly threatened and assaulted him.
Bystanders attempted to intervene as the 43-year-old announced his appointment as an officer and attempted to arrest him.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter PD arrived a short time later and arrested the man.
He was taken to Maitland Police Station and charged with common assault, assault police, affray, resist arrest, drive whilst suspended, drive under the influence of alcohol and negligent driving.
He was refused bail to face Maitland Local Court today (Wednesday 20 November 2019).
The officer suffered minor grazes and bruising however he did not require hospital treatment.

Fifteen events and promotions ranging from a street basketball tournament to a public art festival will share in more than $820,000 in the first round of funding aimed at activating the city centre and other commercial areas.
The funding is delivered through City of Newcastle’s Special Business Rate, which uses a business levy paid by property owners in the CBD and Darby Street to drive visitation and vibrancy.

“Newcastle is set for a jampacked schedule of events, activations and promotional initiatives intended to attract tens of thousands of people to the city centre,” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
“From music and street art festivals, to a new interactive app showcasing our city’s iconic heritage buildings, this round of funding will inject regular and varied activity to the CBD, and help deliver two events in Hamilton and Wallsend.
“The second round of expressions of interest for local business districts, such as Wallsend, New Lambton and Hamilton, will open in the New Year and we’re looking forward to seeing what innovative and unique ideas are out there.”
Hundreds of basketballers will descend on Newcastle in January to contest an inaugural three-on-three basketball tournament, to be staged by successful applicant Playgrounds Park.
The tournament will see the teams and their entourages rotate between Wheeler Place, Customs House Plaza and Honeysuckle, where quick paced, 10-minute matches will be played on world-class temporary half courts.
“Our event will bring 3 on 3 basketball, which is the largest urban team sport in the world, into the heart of Newcastle’s city centre from January 18 to 19,” Playgrounds Park’s spokeswoman Sally Leacy said.
“We’re planning for Newcastle to become Australia’s home of 3 on 3 basketball, a phenomenon which has taken-off overseas and brought thousands of visitors to host cities across the world.”
Another grant recipient, Big Picture Festival, expects to draw 15,000 people to the city to see large murals painted by world-renowned artists and to enjoy a ‘block party’, tech installations and art projections.
In another drawcard, tourists, students and heritage buffs will explore the city’s history through the History Here initiative, giving smart phone users a look back in time at Newcastle Post Office, Civic Theatre and Bank Corner with an augmented reality experience.
The full list of SBRP funding recipients is available on City of Newcastle’s website here.

An elderly woman reported missing from the Lake Macquarie region has been found safe.
Family of the 99-year-old woman reported her missing to Lake Macquarie Police.
Following inquiries, the woman was found safe around 2.45pm today (Tuesday 19 November 2019).
Lake Macquarie Police thank the community and the media for their assistance in sharing our appeal.

Police are asking for public assistance to locate a woman missing from the Lake Macquarie region.
Doris Wheeler, aged 99, was last seen at Gosforth Grove in Lakelands about 11am today (Tuesday 19 November 2019).
Doris’s family and police have concerns for her welfare due to her age and because she lives with dementia.
Doris is described as being of Caucasian appearance, 154cm tall with a slim build, and grey hair.
She was last seen wearing a navy floral top, denim jeans and black shoes.
Anyone who may have seen Doris or who has information about her whereabouts is urged to call Triple Zero (000) or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.Police appealing for public assistance to find an elderly woman who is missing from the Lake Macquarie region.
Doris Wheeler, aged 99, was last seen at Gosforth Grove in Lakelands about 11am today (Tuesday 19 November 2019).
Doris’s family and police have concerns for her welfare due to her age and because she lives with dementia.
Doris is described as being of Caucasian appearance, 154cm tall with a slim build, and grey hair.
She was last seen wearing a navy floral top, denim jeans and black shoes.
Anyone who may have seen Doris or who has information about her whereabouts is urged to call Triple Zero (000) or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

A man will face court today charged over alleged robberies and assaults in Newcastle yesterday.
About 1pm on Sunday 17 November 2019, a 30-year-old man was walking along Brown Road, Broadmeadow, when he was approached from behind by an unknown male.
Police will allege a 25-year-old man threatened the older man and demanded cash before forcing him onto the ground.
The younger man stole a mobile phone, a pair of spectacles, headphones and a powerbank.
About five minutes later, the same man entered a store on Belford Street, Broadmeadow, and allegedly grabbed a 44-year-old woman and forced her to the ground.
A struggle ensued before the man fled the scene.
About an hour later, a 30-year-old man was sitting in the passenger seat of a vehicle on Church Street, Mayfield, when police allege the same man approached the car and allegedly assaulted the passenger.
The younger man demanded cash and the car keys.
Officers attached to Newcastle City Police District attended and arrested the man after a short foot pursuit.
During the arrest, the man allegedly spat at a male constable.
The man was taken to Waratah Police Station and charged with aggravated robbery, common assault, aggravated assault with intent to rob (inflict actual bodily harm) and assault police officer in execution of duty.
He was refused bail to face Newcastle Local Court today (Monday 18 November 2019).

NSW Police are urging racegoers to plan their trip ahead of time and travel safely on the roads as tens of thousands of people are expected for the finale of the Supercars Australia Championship series, the Coates Hire Newcastle 500.
A high-visibility police operation will be in place from Thursday 21 November to Monday 25 November 2019 in Newcastle, for the third event held in the Hunter.
General duties officers from Newcastle City Police District and across Northern Region, will be assisted by specialist police and Traffic & Highway Patrol Command throughout the operation, focusing on road safety as well as anti-social behaviour and alcohol-related violence.
Operation Newcastle Supercars Commander, Assistant Commissioner Max Mitchell APM said the event showcases Newcastle on the world stage, with the city welcoming more than 150,000 spectators and visitors over the weekend.
“Our main priority is ensuring everyone is able to enjoy this fantastic event in Newcastle safely, and with minimal disruption to our locals and residents,” Assistant Commissioner Mitchell said.
“Police will be out in numbers over the weekend targeting speeding, drink-driving, mobile phone and seat-belt offences, to ensure everyone arrives at their destination safely.
“Here in the Northern Region, 102 people have lost their lives on our roads so far in 2019, so we will be driving a particular focus on road safety before, during and after the event.
“Motorists are urged to drive to the conditions and allow extra travel time as there will be heavy traffic and delays on major and local roads headed into Newcastle, particularly as crowds arrive on Friday and Saturday, and leave on Sunday and Monday,” Assistant Commissioner Mitchell said.
Centre for Road Safety Executive Director, Bernard Carlon, said speeding, drink and drug driving, and fatigue remain the biggest killers on our roads.
“We want everyone to travel safely this weekend, so if you are driving, don’t speed and take a break if you’re feeling tired, and NEVER drive if you’re affected by alcohol or drugs,” Mr Carlon said.
Keolis Downer Hunter General Manager, Mark Dunlop, said there are more ways to travel to and from the event precinct this year, with the light rail network officially in use.
“This will be the first year we have light rail services bringing people into the CBD. Additional services will be running to Queens Wharf, alongside extra bus and ferry services.
“We ask event goers to be alert of their surroundings and be aware of trams when arriving and leaving the event,” Mr Dunlop said.
For all special event traffic information, including road closures, special event clearways and live traffic reports, visit: www.livetraffic.com
Further information about the event, including venue maps, transport and parking availability, can be found at: www.supercars.com/newcastle/

In front of a sold-out crowd at the Townsville Entertainment Center Queenslander Aaron Kleier took top honours of PBR 2019 National Champion, the biggest event on the Australian Professional Bull Rider (PBR) tour.
Kleier, who was the 2018 PBR National Champion and 2017 PBR Australia Rookie of the Year, made it a hat trick by cinching the 2019 PBR National Champion title approached the second night of make or break bull riding competition in the PBR Grand Finals with the same grit and determination that has seen him maintain the #1 spot on the national rankings for most of the year.
Battling for glory in Townsville, only five hours from his home base in Clermont, 21 year-old Kleier has enjoyed another stellar year. He was able to retain the title after battling for the top honors with his good mate and fellow Clermont local 19 year-old Brady Fielder (#2 ranked) who finished the year as runner up to Kleier, and was also named the 2019 PBR Rookie of the Year.
The two-night competition saw seventeen of Australia’s top riders, as well as five key internationals, battle it out for a share of the $100,000 prize pool.
The international riders who competed in the tightly contested event were 2018 World Champion Kaique Pacheco – who made his much anticipated global return to competition in Townsville following injury, Rubens Barbosa and Eduardo Aparecido, Brady Sims (USA) and Cody Rodeo Tyler (USA).
It was the Hunter’s Lachlan Richardson who won the event, with Kaique Pacheco in the #2 spot and Tamworth rider Troy Wilkinson at #3.
Fraser Babbington came in at #4 for his retirement ride and last night of competition, with Cliff Richardson at #5.
“This weekend has been the best Finals since our inception in Australia 20 years ago. It’s a big congratulations to all the riders who made it possible from me,” said PBR General Manager Glen Young.
The competition amongst the bull contractors at the Townsville event was close. The Bucking Bull of the Year title went to Dittman’s Fully Locked N Loaded, while Bull Team of the Event honours went to Wallace Bucking Bulls.
The overall 2019 PBR Australian Stock Contractor of the Year title was also announced at the Grand Final event – with the Hunter based TnR Bucking Bulls taking that win home for NSW. It is also the second consecutive year that TnR Bucking Bulls have won the PBR Australian Stock Contractor of the Year title.
Of their win Mitch Russell, who makes up half of the Throsby and Russell partnership of TnR Bucking Bulls said, “We went into the competition at #1 on the leader board for the title, but you never know what might happen on the night. And our bulls had had a big week, travelling further than the North Queensland based Brandenburg and Dittman bucking bulls. So for them to come out on top is an awesome result. Edward (business partner Edward Throsby) and I couldn’t be happier.
“We got them on the road early this week to avoid the road closures and to escape the fires in the Hunter Valley, that came right onto our properties. I think the nice rest up in sunny Townsville before competing this weekend has done them good,” joked Mitch Russell.
The action-packed PBR Grand Finals also saw Country music singer Ryan Weaver perform, straight from the USA.
Before becoming the Patriotic Voice of PBR in the US, Weaver was a Military Intelligence Analyst and then a Black Hawke helicopter pilot who was deployed to Baghdad International Airport. He has since toured the US with the PBR performing at sell-out events and raised the roof in Townsville on his first trip to Australia.
It has been a tough PBR season for competitors – and next weekend it starts all over again in Tamworth at the PBR Monster Energy Tour: Tamworth Invitational on Saturday November 23, 2019 which is the opening event for the 2020 season.
Ryan Weaver will also perform in the home of Australian Country Music in Tamworth. Tickets for the Tamworth season-opening event are on-sale at www.entertainmentvenues.com.au
The full round results from tonight can be viewed at https://pbraustralia.com.au/daysheet
Updated Australian standings rankings are available at
https://www.pbraustralia.com.au/series/pbr-monster-energy-tour/australian-standings/