Category: Newcastle News

Detectives the Port Stephens Hunter Police District have today charged a man with sexual touching after receiving complaints regarding a remedial massage business.
Two women, aged 24 and 32, attended Maitland Police Station on separate occasions to report inappropriate touching by a 62-year-old man during a remedial massage from his home-business in Maitland.
The alleged offences occurred between 2019 and 2020.
Following investigations officers charged the man at Maitland Police Station with sexual touching of another person without consent (x2).
He was given strict conditional bail and will be appearing in Maitland Local Court on Wednesday 11 March 2020.
As inquiries continue, police are reminding any members of the community who may have been the victim of a similar crime to come forward and report the matter to police.

A man is expected to be charged with multiple driving offences after being arrested in the state’s Hunter region today.
About 11.00am (Thursday 20 February 2020), police observed a red Holden Commodore sedan travelling on Streeton Drive, Metford, just outside of Maitland.
As police turned around to stop the car, the driver allegedly sped off and collided with a green Toyota sedan at the intersection of Chelmsford Drive.
The driver of the other car escaped serious injury.
The driver of the Commodore allegedly fled the scene of the crash on foot.
Officers attached to Port Stephens Hunter Police District commenced an operation to locate the man assisted by the Dog Unit.
The man was later found by police on a roof of a house in nearby Ferraby Drive.
After being arrested, the 31-year-old was taken to Maitland Hospital with multiple injuries, where he remains under police guard.
It’s expected he will be charged on release from hospital.

A man will face court today charged with multiple offences after being arrested in the state’s Hunter region yesterday.
About 11.00am (Thursday 20 February 2020), officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District were patrolling the Maitland area, when they attempted to stop a Holden Commodore on Streeton Drive, Metford.
The Holden allegedly sped off and collided with a Toyota Corolla at the intersection of Chelmsford Drive, before the driver fled on foot.
The Toyota driver of the other car escaped injury.
Officers commenced an operation to locate the man assisted by the Dog Unit, and following a foot pursuit, the man was found on the roof of a house in nearby Ferraby Drive.
The 31-year-old man was arrested after a struggle with officers and taken to Maitland Hospital under police guard and treated for minor injuries.
He was later discharged and taken to Maitland Police Station where he was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm (DV), two counts of goods in personal custody suspected being stolen (not motor vehicle), armed with intent to commit indictable offence, resist officer in execution of duty, two counts of destroy or damage property, two counts drive motor vehicle during disqualification period, fail to stop and assist after impact cause injury, use offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention, and two counts of enter inclosed land without lawful excuse.
An outstanding revocation of parole warrant was also executed.
Police will allege in court that the man was involved in a domestic-related incident with a 27-year-old woman on Wednesday (19 February 2020),
The man was refused bail to appear at Maitland Local Court today (Friday 21 February 2020).

A prison inmate who escaped from a hospital in Newcastle has been arrested by officers in Kotara.
Earlier today (Thursday 20 February 2020), police launched an extensive search after the 35-year-old man, who was being treated under guard by officers from Corrective Services NSW, absconded from John Hunter Hospital.
The search involved Newcastle City Police District, Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, the Dog Unit and PolAir.
Just after 3pm, the man was arrested at a shopping centre on Northcott Drive, Kotara.
The man has been taken to Newcastle Police Station where he is expected to be charged.

A search is underway after a prisoner under the supervision of correctives absconded from a hospital in Newcastle.
Earlier today (Thursday 20 February 2020), police responded following reports a prisoner, who was being treated under guard by officers from Corrective Services NSW, absconded from John Hunter Hospital.
A large-scale search involving local police, Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, the Dog Unit and PolAir, is now underway for 35-year-old, James Tozer.
He was last seen running on Lookout Road near Bushlands Close, New Lambton. Members of the community are urged to avoid the area at this time.
James Tozer is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 172cm tall, of slim build with ginger hair. He has bruising around his eyes and was last seen wearing prison greens.
Police are urging the community not to approach him if sighted, instead they should contact Triple Zero (000) immediately.

Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District have taken action against a number of people during an operation targeting the illegal use of unregistered trail bikes.
The pro-active operation was conducted yesterday (Wednesday 19 February 2020), focusing on the areas of Windale, Glendale and Cameron Park.
During the operation, a rider was seen travelling on Main Road, Cameron Park before the 28-year-old man was arrested on Nancy Close about 3pm.
He was taken to Toronto Police Station and charged with drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous, display misleading plates, use unregistered and uninsured vehicle, possess prohibited drugs and drive whilst disqualified.
The Teralba man has been refused bail to appear at Toronto Local Court today (Thursday 20 February 2020).
A second rider, a 33-year-old man, was arrested about 4.20pm after being seen travelling from Windale to Dudley.
He was taken to Belmont Police Station and charged with drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous, use unregistered and uninsured vehicle, rider not wear helmet, unlicensed rider and trespass.
The Gateshead man has been granted conditional bail to appear at Belmont Local Court on Monday 24 February 2020
During the operation, police also issued three infringements for negligent driving, two youth cautions for ride unregistered bike, and seized four unregistered trail bikes.
Lake Macquarie Police District Commander, Superintendent Daniel Sullivan said police will continue to detect and deter illegal trail bike offences throughout the Lake Macquarie area through these operations.
“The behaviour of trail bike riders is a major concern for police. Their reckless behaviour not only places their lives at risk but more importantly, those of innocent people,” Supt Sullivan said
“When riders are detected breaking the law, police will take appropriate action by issuing infringements, charges, suspending licences and seizing bikes,” he said.
 

Police are appealing for public assistance after rocks were thrown from an overpass in the Hunter region overnight.
About 10.30pm (Tuesday 18 February 2020), police have been told a group of people, not further described, threw rocks from the railway overpass at Bridge Street, Muswellbrook, onto oncoming traffic.
The rocks have caused damaged to three vehicles traveling on the roadway below – a B double truck suffered damage to a rear window, another B double truck suffered dents and paint damage to its roof, and the front windscreen was smashed on a Nissan Murano SUV.
No one was injured.
Officers from Hunter Valley Police District were notified and commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Hunter Valley Police District Duty Officer, Chief Inspector Guy Guiana, urged any witnesses or anyone with dashcam vision in the area at the time to come forward.
“While it’s unfortunate that three vehicles were damaged, it was extremely lucky no one was injured in the incident,” Ch/Insp Guiana said.
“Throwing rocks at oncoming traffic is a very serious matter and we are keen to speak to anyone with any information about this dangerous incident.”

City of Newcastle has been forced to maintain the closure of the building at Stockton Beach currently leased to Lexie’s Café following advice from coastal engineers.
The independent report following further severe erosion in recent weeks states that the building is within a hazardous zone of wave impact and is at immediate risk of significant damage or failure in a one-in-two-year storm event.
As a result, the City will not permit occupancy of the building.
City of Newcastle Infrastructure and Property Director Ken Liddell said the decision was made because of the unacceptable risk posed to public safety.
“According to the coastal engineers’ advice, the erosion impact on the building has created an imminent risk to public safety and, as a result, the building cannot be occupied,” Liddell said.
“We understand the direct impact this will have for the operators of the Café, staff and its patrons as Lexie’s is a much-loved and valuable part of the community. We will be working closely with the business owner to transition out of the premises to make this difficult process as smooth as possible.
“The erosion of Stockton Beach has been recognised as a natural disaster and the City must keep public safety a priority as the ongoing issues are managed and we work with the NSW Government on sustainable long-term solutions.”
Due to the same severe erosion event, City of Newcastle relocated all ocean-edge cabins to the adjacent reserve behind Stockton Swimming Pool to save the assets from falling into the ocean.
This is a temporary measure and a development application will be submitted to secure this location in the short to medium term while a long-term solution to the erosion is implemented and the risk to assets mitigated.
No space is available for all the relocated cabins within the existing holiday park as this space is designated for tents and caravans, and the park continues to take bookings.
While the cabins have been temporarily located, they must be properly secured to safeguard them against high winds, requiring footings and ties to be installed.
Underground works to the area east of Stockton Swimming Pool have been undertaken to minimise future costs associated with the security of the cabins, should a development application for the permanent relocation of the cabins in this area be approved.
“High winds occur in the area during east coast low storm events, which typically happen in the March-April period that is rapidly approaching,” Liddell said.
“If the development application is not approved, the cabins will be removed from the reserve. The works will not impact future use of the area by the public.
“The City of Newcastle is undertaking these measures to ensure public safety as well as to help protect what is a key part of Stockton’s tourism economy.
“The longer this important holiday accommodation is unable to be booked by visitors, the more tourism dollars Stockton is missing out on causing further harm to Stockton’s economy and community.”

Police are appealing for information as they continue to investigate the suspicious death of a Hunter Valley man just over a year ago.
About 8pm on Saturday 1 December 2018, emergency services were called to a rural property in
Denman, following reports of a concern for welfare.
On arrival, officers from Hunter Valley Police District found a 71-year-old man had died. He was later formally identified as Douglas Thrift.
A post-mortem examination revealed Mr Thrift had a fatal concentration of the highly-toxic strychnine in his system. Strychnine is a restricted substance.
Detectives from Hunter Valley Police District established Strike Force Farview to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death.
Hunter Valley Police District Crime Manager, Detective Inspector Matthew Zimmer, said detectives would leave no stone unturned in this investigation.
“From all accounts, Douglas Thrift was a loving father, grandfather and husband, who really enjoyed playing sports – especially rugby union, cricket and golf – and was happiest working on his farm,” Det Insp Zimmer said.
“Strike Force Farview investigators are trying to piece together how a fatal amount of this substance came to be in his system.
“Our detectives are keen to speak with those who saw or spoke with Mr Thrift in the days leading up to his death in early December 2018.
“We’re also interested in speaking to any farmers, or other members of the public, who have found strychnine missing from their properties.”

The Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region has recorded the highest level of business confidence of any region in the state according to NSW Business Chamber’s quarterly snapshot of business conditions. 
“The level of local business confidence in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie is trending upwards and has improved significantly since the September quarter,” Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.  
“While Newcastle experienced a steady quarter, the Chamber recorded weakened confidence across the state, and the broader Hunter region due to ongoing drought and bushfires. Diminished household demand has weighed heavily on sentiment in both regional and metro areas.  

“It’s wonderful our business community has fared well, but we do also recognise the underlying challenges that must be addressed in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie economy.  
“These challenges include high levels of youth unemployment, increasing operating costs and concerns about the future profitability of businesses.” 
City of Newcastle is developing a new Economic Development Strategy which will consider these challenges and propose new programs and initiatives to make our economy more resilient and competitive. Stakeholder and community input will soon to be sought for the development of the strategy. 
“Newcastle has strategic economic advantages that create opportunities for our continued transformation and ongoing growth,” Cr Nelmes said.  
“While the recent Business Chamber results bode well for our local economy in the year to come, we stand in support of regions across the state and Australia which have been devastatingly impacted by drought and bushfires resulting in significant decreases in economic activity and consumer confidence.” 
The latest Business Chamber survey was sent to all business chambers canvassing 20,000 members across all regions of NSW and various business sizes. Respondents were asked to rate their performance across a range of indicators including profits, sales, capital spending and employment levels.  
Respondents were also asked to rate the performance of the NSW economy and had an opportunity to comment on any other factors affecting the performance of their business.