A man has been charged after allegedly engaging a teenage boy online and meeting with him for sex in the Hunter region.
Detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad commenced an investigation following reports a 14-year-old boy had been sexually assaulted by a man he met on a social media application in December 2018.
The incident was reported to local police before being referred to the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad for further investigation.
Following inquiries, detectives arrested a 27-year-old man at a home in Buttai about 9.30am yesterday (Thursday 20 June 2019).
The man was taken to Maitland Police Station and charged with two counts of sexual intercourse with child between the ages of 14 and 16.
Police will allege in court that the man sexually assaulted the boy, then aged 14, in a vehicle in the Hunter region.
He was refused bail and appeared at Maitland Local Court yesterday, where he was formally refused bail to reappear at Cessnock Local Court today (Friday 21 June 2019).
Meanwhile, police are urging parents and carers to speak with their children about staying safe online.
Safe internet use – tips for parents:
• Be aware of how much time your child spends on the internet.
• Spend time talking to your child about the dangers associated with online conversations, particularly when communicating with someone that they have only ever met online.
• Spend time exploring the internet with your children and let them teach you about their favourite websites and applications.
• Keep computers or internet-enabled devices in a room the whole family can access, not in your child’s bedroom; monitor internet access on those devices.
• Consider installing filtering and/or computer blocking software provided by your internet service provider.
• Ensure you are able to access your child’s email and social media accounts and randomly check the contents.
• Check your phone bill for unusual outgoing calls and consider using ‘caller ID’ to identify incoming calls.
• Consult your telephone company for options designed to ensure privacy and security.
• Enquire with your child’s school, public library, and places they frequent to find out what internet safety measures they have in place.
• Information on internet safety is available on the NSW Police website at: http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/safety_and_prevention/safe_and_secure/online_safety
Tips for children:
• Do not send a picture of yourself to anyone you don’t know and never place a full profile and picture anywhere on the internet.
• Never give out your personal information, including full name, home address, phone number or school, over the internet.
• Never arrange a face-to-face meeting with someone that you have only ever chatted with on the internet.
• Tell your parents or another adult you know of any contact that makes you feel uncomfortable.
• Think carefully before uploading or sending images or videos to people over the internet. Once you press ‘send’ it’s definite and final – you can’t get it back or take it down.
• Information on youth issues, including online safety is available on the NSW Police website at:
http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/safety_and_prevention/safe_and_secure/young_people
More information and educational packages for parents and children are available from ThinkUKnow, a multi-agency program designed to educate and promote cyber safety: https://www.thinkuknow.org.au/
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.
Category: Newcastle News
All the news happening in the Newcastle and Hunter Region
Charges laid after girl sexually and physically assaulted
A man will face court today charged after allegedly sexually assaulting a girl in the Newcastle area.
Detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad commenced an investigation, after a 15-year-old girl presented to John Hunter Hospital with injuries to her neck and reported she had been sexually assaulted by a man known to her earlier this month.
Following extensive inquiries, detectives arrested a 21-year-old man at Waratah Police Station just after 6pm yesterday (Thursday 20 June 2019).
He was charged with aggravated sexual assault – inflict actual bodily harm on victim, and two counts of aggravated sexual assault – victim under the age of 16 years.
Police will allege in court that the man supplied the girl with alcohol and prohibited drugs before choking her and sexually assaulting her in a car in the Newcastle area on Wednesday 5 June 2019.
He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Friday 21 June 2019).
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.
Baby's mother found – Newcastle
The mother of a newborn baby whose body was discovered at Stockton earlier this week has been located.
As a result of inquiries by police from Newcastle City Police District, the 18-year-old woman, has been identified and was located at Penrith.
The woman has spoken with police about the birth of her child.
Investigators have ruled out the involvement of any third party.
Police will await the results of a post-mortem examination and forensic testing to determine the direction of any future inquiries.
Due to the volume of forensic evidence involved, inquiries are expected to be prolonged.
Detectives attached to Newcastle City Police District will continue inquiries on behalf of the Coroner.
Police would like to thank the community for their assistance. At this time, no further information is available.
Woman charged with drink-driving with children in car – Merewether
A woman has been charged with high-range drink driving after being stopped with her two young children in the car in the Newcastle suburb of Merewether yesterday.
About 3.10pm (Monday 17 June 2019), police stopped a white Toyota RAV4 on Frederick Street and subjected the 42-year-old female driver to a breath test, which returned a positive reading.
It is alleged the woman had just picked up her two young children from a nearby primary school.
She was arrested and taken to Newcastle Police Station, where a subsequent breath analysis returned a reading of 0.239.
The woman was charged with driving with high range PCA and her NSW driver’s licence was suspended.
She was granted conditional bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court on 18 July 2019.
Police lodged a child at risk report with the Department of Family and Community Services regarding the matter.
Death of newborn baby – Newcastle
The body of a newborn baby was discovered at Newcastle today.
Emergency services were called to a home on Church Street in the Newcastle suburb of Stockton shortly after 7am (Tuesday 18 June 2019), after the body of a newborn baby was discovered abandoned in the backyard.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District attended, and a police operation is currently underway at the home.
A post mortem examination will be conducted in an effort to establish the age and cause of death.
This will form part of a report which will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.
Police hold grave concerns for the welfare of the mother who may need to seek urgent medical treatment and are appealing for public assistance.
Anyone with information about the unidentified baby or the mother is urged to contact Newcastle detectives or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Key to the City for proud Novocastrian Naval Officer
HMAS Newcastle Commander Anita Sellick has been honoured with the Key to the City at a ceremony today to farewell the ship before it’s decommissioned later this month.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes presented the born-and-bred Novocastrian the ceremonial honour following HMAS Newcastle’s Freedom of Entry March, which gave the public a chance to farewell the vessel and her company for the final time.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes honouring HMAS Newcastle Commander Anita Sellick with Federal Senator Arthur Sinodinis
The Lord Mayor said the gesture was a tribute to commander Sellick’s Newcastle roots and her formidable achievement, as a woman, rising through the ranks of one of Australia’s most respected, traditionally male-dominated institutions.
“It’s an honour to present the Key to the City to Commander Sellick in recognition of her services to Newcastle and the Royal Australian Navy,” the Lord Mayor said.
“Commander Sellick assumed command of HMAS Newcastle in January last year and will embark on her final voyage in control of the ship when she sails out of the heads for the final time on Tuesday.
“We’re proud of our history with the vessel and we’re even prouder that Commander Sellick is at the helm.”
Commander Sellick leading her company as they Exercised their Right of Freedom of Entry to the City.
Commander Anita Sellick joined the Royal Australian Navy in January 1994 after graduating from the Australian Defence Force Academy with a Bachelor of Science.
For meritorious service, she was awarded a Conspicuous Medal in the 2013 Queen’s Birthday Honours; and holds a Chief of Joint Operations Group Commendation for a past command.
She also holds a Baceholor of Science (Oceanography/Computer Science) from the University of NSW and is studying her Master of Business Administration.
Since it was commissioned in 1993, the ship has maintained close links with Newcastle through active support of her adopted charity organisation, Newcastle Senior School, formerly known as the Hunter Orthopaedic School.
The ship’s company at today’s march.
The ship’s company has raised substantial funds over the years, providing the school with a bus, undertaking working bees and joining in sporting activities.
The final fundraising campaign, ‘The Great Race’, aims to raise $20,000 and is still live at gofundme.com/thegreatrace.
Both Commander Sellick and the ship’s departure on Tuesday will be marked by a seven-gun salute from the historic guns at Fort Scratchley followed by return volley from the ship.
After more than 25 years of service, she will finally be decommissioned at the Garden Island Naval base in Sydney.
For more ore details, visit newcastle.nsw.gov.au/Explore/Things-to-do/What-s-On/Events/HMAS-Newcastle.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes presented the born-and-bred Novocastrian the ceremonial honour following HMAS Newcastle’s Freedom of Entry March, which gave the public a chance to farewell the vessel and her company for the final time.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes honouring HMAS Newcastle Commander Anita Sellick with Federal Senator Arthur SinodinisThe Lord Mayor said the gesture was a tribute to commander Sellick’s Newcastle roots and her formidable achievement, as a woman, rising through the ranks of one of Australia’s most respected, traditionally male-dominated institutions.
“It’s an honour to present the Key to the City to Commander Sellick in recognition of her services to Newcastle and the Royal Australian Navy,” the Lord Mayor said.
“Commander Sellick assumed command of HMAS Newcastle in January last year and will embark on her final voyage in control of the ship when she sails out of the heads for the final time on Tuesday.
“We’re proud of our history with the vessel and we’re even prouder that Commander Sellick is at the helm.”
Commander Sellick leading her company as they Exercised their Right of Freedom of Entry to the City.Commander Anita Sellick joined the Royal Australian Navy in January 1994 after graduating from the Australian Defence Force Academy with a Bachelor of Science.
For meritorious service, she was awarded a Conspicuous Medal in the 2013 Queen’s Birthday Honours; and holds a Chief of Joint Operations Group Commendation for a past command.
She also holds a Baceholor of Science (Oceanography/Computer Science) from the University of NSW and is studying her Master of Business Administration.
Since it was commissioned in 1993, the ship has maintained close links with Newcastle through active support of her adopted charity organisation, Newcastle Senior School, formerly known as the Hunter Orthopaedic School.
The ship’s company at today’s march.The ship’s company has raised substantial funds over the years, providing the school with a bus, undertaking working bees and joining in sporting activities.
The final fundraising campaign, ‘The Great Race’, aims to raise $20,000 and is still live at gofundme.com/thegreatrace.
Both Commander Sellick and the ship’s departure on Tuesday will be marked by a seven-gun salute from the historic guns at Fort Scratchley followed by return volley from the ship.
After more than 25 years of service, she will finally be decommissioned at the Garden Island Naval base in Sydney.
For more ore details, visit newcastle.nsw.gov.au/Explore/Things-to-do/What-s-On/Events/HMAS-Newcastle.
Building demo makes way for West End cycling link
A long-envisioned pathway connecting King and Hunter Streets is set to be revealed when City of Newcastle demolishes two vacant buildings on Monday.
The cycling and pedestrian link requires demolition of two vacant properties at 679A and 681 Hunter Street with developers of the Verve apartments on King Street to deliver the first stage of the shared pathway along Cottage Creek, which will eventually connect The Junction to the Harbour.
Below: An artist’s impression of how Cottage Creek could look
“Newcastle’s West End is quickly emerging as the City’s new CBD with integrated transport, new residential development on King Street and at Honeysuckle and the upcoming relocation of government agencies to the under-construction Store redevelopment,” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
“These are all signs of the exciting times ahead for this part of the city and, and our plans to improve cycling and pedestrian connections are integral to helping people enjoy living, working and shopping in the West End and elsewhere across the city.
“As the Verve Residences on King Street near completion, we’re about to proceed with this vision via a planning agreement with the developer to build the first stage of the shared pathway.
“Ultimately, a corridor linking King Street and Hunter Street through to Honeysuckle and potentially through to The Junction will be of great benefit for the West End by linking key precincts and creating a vibrant public space.”
Council purchased the buildings from Hunter Water for $550,000 in 2017 as part of its strategic plans.
Approval for demolition was obtained in April 2018 following a development application process that included a heritage assessment which identified low levels of significance of the buildings, which are not listed heritage items.
Demolition is scheduled to commence on Monday 17 June 2019 and is expected to take seven weeks to complete.
City opens new grandstand at Merewether
A stunning new grandstand pavilion for Merewether sporting clubs to celebrate victories past and present has been unveiled at Mitchell Park Oval.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes was joined by representatives of Merewether Carlton Rugby Club, South Newcastle Rugby League Club and Merewether District Cricket Club to celebrate the completion of the new $2 million Clarke Grandstand ahead of its official opening tomorrow.
City staff Lynn Duffy and Tony Ayling, John Davis, Greens rugby player Eddie Clifton, Nuatali Nelmes, and Merewether
District Cricket Club reps Nick Stanebridge, Daryl Daniels and Bec Lawrence
Eddie Clifton and Nick Stanebridge overlooking Mitchell Park from inside the new Green Room
The impressive glass-pavilion that opens to the sea breeze sits above a new gym and refurbished change rooms in the existing Clarke Grandstand following a joint delivery project between City of Newcastle and Local sporting clubs and a community gardening project.
The Lord Mayor said the new pavilion-style structure was the result of a great partnership that hopefully will inspire other sporting clubs and community groups to follow.
“The City worked together with the Clubs to help them achieve their vision for the stand, through a combination of design, planning and approval factors that led to the speedy delivery of this wonderful community asset,” the Lord Mayor said.
“This a fantastic asset for both Souths Rugby league, Merewether Carlton, cricket and cycling groups who use Mitchell Park or Townson Oval.
“This project also provides a good example for other sporting clubs to explore similar ideas for future projects, collaborating to share both facilities that realises their vision that also meet a wider community interest.”
Seeing Green: Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and Eddie Clifton
Past and present: Eddie Clifton with John Davis
Daryl Daniels with Nick Stanebridge
Lift access is also part of the upgrade set to draw more players and spectators.
Timber, signage and other paraphernalia from the old recently demolished Green Room, on the eastern side of the ground, have been recycled and repurposed in the new spiritual home high in the Clarke Grandstand.
Timber supports, honors boards and the Merewether Municipal Pavilion sign on the front of 1927 weatherboard structure were all salvaged from the demolition and relocated to the new facility.
Merewether Carlton Rugby Club Green Room Project Manager John Davis said the new Green Room and stand will be a wonderful asset to the club and wider community.
“This project not only delivers a new home for our Club but also rejuvenates a 50-year-old Council asset to provide first rate for facilities for other users and the wider community,” Mr Davis said.
“In some respects, it is a return home for us as the Clarke Stand is named after two of the founding fathers of our Club, Ted and Roy Clarke.”
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes was joined by representatives of Merewether Carlton Rugby Club, South Newcastle Rugby League Club and Merewether District Cricket Club to celebrate the completion of the new $2 million Clarke Grandstand ahead of its official opening tomorrow.
City staff Lynn Duffy and Tony Ayling, John Davis, Greens rugby player Eddie Clifton, Nuatali Nelmes, and MerewetherDistrict Cricket Club reps Nick Stanebridge, Daryl Daniels and Bec Lawrence
Eddie Clifton and Nick Stanebridge overlooking Mitchell Park from inside the new Green RoomThe impressive glass-pavilion that opens to the sea breeze sits above a new gym and refurbished change rooms in the existing Clarke Grandstand following a joint delivery project between City of Newcastle and Local sporting clubs and a community gardening project.
The Lord Mayor said the new pavilion-style structure was the result of a great partnership that hopefully will inspire other sporting clubs and community groups to follow.
“The City worked together with the Clubs to help them achieve their vision for the stand, through a combination of design, planning and approval factors that led to the speedy delivery of this wonderful community asset,” the Lord Mayor said.
“This a fantastic asset for both Souths Rugby league, Merewether Carlton, cricket and cycling groups who use Mitchell Park or Townson Oval.
“This project also provides a good example for other sporting clubs to explore similar ideas for future projects, collaborating to share both facilities that realises their vision that also meet a wider community interest.”
Seeing Green: Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and Eddie CliftonPast and present: Eddie Clifton with John Davis Daryl Daniels with Nick StanebridgeLift access is also part of the upgrade set to draw more players and spectators.
Timber, signage and other paraphernalia from the old recently demolished Green Room, on the eastern side of the ground, have been recycled and repurposed in the new spiritual home high in the Clarke Grandstand.
Timber supports, honors boards and the Merewether Municipal Pavilion sign on the front of 1927 weatherboard structure were all salvaged from the demolition and relocated to the new facility.
Merewether Carlton Rugby Club Green Room Project Manager John Davis said the new Green Room and stand will be a wonderful asset to the club and wider community.
“This project not only delivers a new home for our Club but also rejuvenates a 50-year-old Council asset to provide first rate for facilities for other users and the wider community,” Mr Davis said.
“In some respects, it is a return home for us as the Clarke Stand is named after two of the founding fathers of our Club, Ted and Roy Clarke.”
Police reappeal for information following gravestone damage – Hunter Valley
Police are reappealing for public assistance following a malicious damage incident at a Hunter Valley cemetery.
Police have been told between 7pm and 7.15pm on Friday 31 May 2019, a vehicle was seen parked in Sedgefield cemetery, near Singleton, and unknown persons have damaged a number of gravestones.
In all, 36 gravestones were damaged during the incident; having been pushed over with a number of those being smashed.
Officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District attended and established a crime scene.
Hunter Valley detectives are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident, or who may have noticed any suspicious activity in the area at the time, to contact police.
Hunter Valley Police District Commander, Superintendent Chad Gillies said he hopes people will come forward with the information police need to find those responsible.
“We want to find answers for the families affected by this. They have already experienced immeasurable grief, and this sort of incident stirs up those emotions all over again,
“Someone knows something, and we urge anyone with any information to speak up,” Superintendent Gillies said.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Singleton Police Station on 02 6578 7499 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.
Aggravated home invasion; occupant charged with drugs offences – Anna Bay
A man has been charged with several drug offences after his home was the target of a home invasion in Port Stephens.
About 2am yesterday (Wednesday 12 June 2019), a 23-year-old man was at a home on Ocean Avenue, Anna Bay when he was woken by five unknown males.
One of the men allegedly assaulted the 23-year-old occupant, while the others began stealing items.
Police believe that a number of items including drugs, cash and a television were stolen from the premises during the offence.
The men then fled the scene believed to be in a vehicle.
The occupant was taken to Tomaree Hospital for treatment to lacerations to his head, when police were contacted.
Officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attended the hospital and spoke with the man.
Police then attended the home on Ocean Avenue and established a crime scene.
During a search, police allegedly located cannabis, MDMA, ketamine, amphetamine, LSD, magic mushrooms and other substances believed to be illicit drugs.
The occupant was arrested upon his release from hospital and was taken to Nelson Bay Police Station.
He was charged with possess prohibited drug (x11), supply prohibited drug (x3) and goods in custody.
He was refused bail to appear at Raymond Terrace Local Court today (Thursday 13 June 2019).
Detectives from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District are continuing to investigate the home invasion incident.