A man has been charged after another man was stabbed during an alleged aggravated break-in at Windale early yesterday.
About 1.40am (Friday 8 March 2019) a man allegedly forced entry to a home on Lowana Crescent while a 49-year-old man, a 37-year-old woman, and three children aged – six, 13 and 16 – were asleep.
The man, believed to be armed with a knife, entered the bedroom of the home and allegedly stabbed the man to the face and chest. He then fled the scene.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District attended and commenced investigations.
The injured man was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics, before being taken to John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition.
Police believe the incident was targeted.
Following inquiries, police arrested a 36-year-old man in Adamstown, about 8.20am yesterday (Friday 8 March 2019).
The man was taken to Belmont Police Station where he was charged with cause wounding grievous bodily harm with intent to murder and contravene apprehended violence order (personal) (x2).
He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Bail Court today (Saturday 9 March 2019) where he was again refused bail to appear in Belmont Local Court on 13 March 2019.
Category: Newcastle News
All the news happening in the Newcastle and Hunter Region
Underworld mugshots on display at Museum
Haunting mugshots of Sydney’s bosses, plotters, bruisers and petty criminals of the 1920s – some with felonious links to Newcastle and the Hunter – will be on display at Newcastle Museum from today.
UNDERWORLD: Mugshots from the Roaring Twenties investigates the life and times of Sydney’s seedy underworld during the 1920s – a time most remember for jazz, Art Deco, glitz and glamour.
Criminal Rose Engebritsen 14 November 1925. Credit: NSW Police Forensic Photography Archive,
Sydney Living Museums
But the age had a much more sinister undertone when gangs, guns and violence played a major role.
Criminal Rose Engebritsen, it’s understood, worked in Newcastle as a singer. Although ‘Deported from America’ is noted under a photograph of her kept by police, a woman with the same name was advertised as singing during a film screening in Newcastle.
Snowy Cutmore, who had connections with horse racing at Cessnock, was a gunman, a sly-grog seller and housebreaker with multiple convictions for assault. His death at the hands of another gangster, Squizzy Taylor, were chronicled in The Cessnock Eagle and South Maitland Recorder in 1927.
These local examples of life in the ‘Roaring Twenties’, as they were known, were part and parcel of the brave new world many people were living in post-World War One.
John D ‘Snowy’ Cutmore, 5 July 1922. Credit: NSW Police Forensic Photography Archive, Sydney Living Museums
“These fascinating tales of real-life events occurred during an era of lax law enforcement and a rise in criminal activity,” Newcastle Museum Director Julie Baird said.
“Each of the 130 candid and compelling mugshots taken by NSW Police between 1920 and 1930 offers its own poignant look at a period which saw criminals cash in on illegal markets thanks to advances in new technology.”
“The striking detail and expressions present on the faces of the photographed, the clothes they’re wearing and the locations they’re shot are so different to any mugshot taken today. It’s a fascinating exhibition and one the museum is very much looking forward to displaying.”
Augustine ‘Gus’ Gracey and Edgar ‘Eddie’ Dalton circa 1920. Credit: NSW Police Forensic Photography Archive,
Sydney Living Museums
Exhibition Curator Nerida Campbell said the exhibition explored the dark side of the Roaring Twenties where “you’ll meet the bosses, plotters, bruisers and petty crims who ruled Sydney’s mean streets.”
“The photography in this exhibition is amazing,” she said.
“The mugshots taken by Sydney police are unlike any you’ll see anywhere in the world; They’re candid, and compelling, and the stories behind the people in them are amazing.
“Stories of people struggling with bad choices, stories of people possibly in the wrong place at the wrong time and the dyed-in-the-wool criminals who wouldn’t change even if they could.”
Reproduced from glass plate negatives, the images retain a high-quality level of clarity almost a century after they were taken.
The exhibition will be on display from today until 30 June. For more information on the exhibition, visit the Newcastle Museum exhibition page at http://www.newcastlemuseum.com.au/Exhibitions/Exhibitions/UNDERWORLD
Man critical after aggravated break-in – Windale, near Lake Macquarie
Police are appealing for public assistance after a man was stabbed during an aggravated break-in in Windale this morning.
About 1.40am (Friday 8 March 2019) a man has forced entry into the rear window of a home on Lowana Crescent, Windale, while a 49-year-old man, a 37-year-old woman, and three children aged – six, 13 and 16 were asleep.
The man believed to be armed with a knife, entered the bedroom of the home and allegedly stabbed the 49-year-old male occupant to the face and chest.
The armed man fled the scene on foot running towards Merrigum Street.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District attended and commenced investigations.
The male occupant was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics, before being taken to John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition.
Police believe the incident was targeted.
A 36-year-old man from Valentine is currently assisting police with inquiries.
MULTICULTURAL CAFÉ OPENS ITS DOORS
Hunter Multicultural Communities’ new café officially opened its doors to the public today.
Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon launched the café, which is set to become a centrepiece for Hunter Multicultural Communities’ Waratah site.
Ms Claydon said she was pleased to provide funding for the café under the Stronger Communities Program.
“I was very pleased to give Hunter Multicultural Communities a $15,000 grant to fit out the kitchen in the café including counters, the coffee machine and fridge.
“It’s fantastic to see this fabulous project become a reality. So many people have invested so much time and energy in getting it to this point.”
Ms Claydon said the café would be used for a number of purposes.
“It will provide a great training space for budding young baristas and chefs to learn new skills.
“I’m also looking forward to the theme nights which will showcase food from a different country each night.”
Ms Claydon said the multicultural café was the perfect fit for Newcastle.
“Newcastle is a diverse, inclusive city that welcomes newcomers,” Ms Claydon said.
“The café will attract people who wouldn’t normally come to Hunter Multicultural Communities site.
“The café will be the perfect space for the community to come together and share cultures. I have every confidence this new café will be warmly embraced by the community.”
City launches Sailing regatta
City of Newcastle has welcomed the return of the spectacular Sailfest Newcastle Regatta.
The event will feature skiffs, catamarans and two hallowed pieces of silverware in Newcastle’s sporting pantheon – the 110-year-old Cock of The Harbour Trophy for the fastest boat on the harbour and the Newcastle Harbour Regatta trophy first contested in 1834.
The event will take place from Friday 29 March to Sunday 31 March, including a “Try Sailing” experience on Throsby Creek for kids and their guardians.
In connection with the Newcastle Sailing Yacht Club, the City is contributing $20,000 to the Transpac 52 (TP52) class of competition, an ocean-class vessel.
“I’m proud to announce our sponsorship towards this year’s Sailfest Newcastle Regatta as part of our commitment to develop local events as well as attracting high-quality sporting events,” the Lord Mayor said at today’s launch.
“The event will draw sailors from right up and down the east coast, providing a welcome boost for the local economy and adding another great fixture to our growing calendar of annual events.
“The Sailfest Regatta is a great way to help us realise our vision to create a vibrant and active city and we look forward to growing our relationship with organisers to really activate the harbour and its surrounds.
The event will also help a push by the City and the local sailing community to stage a stopover of the global Ocean Race sailing event in 2021.
The Ocean Race – formerly known as the Volvo Ocean Race – is often described as the longest and toughest professional sporting event in the world and one of the sport’s Big Three events, alongside the Olympic Games and America’s Cup.
The 2021 event will begin in Alicante, Spain, and hopefully feature Newcastle as a port of call in its yet-to-be-confirmed route.
The Newcastle Regatta will be on from 29-31 March. Visit https://www.ncyc.net.au/sailfest-2019-entries-open/
The event will feature skiffs, catamarans and two hallowed pieces of silverware in Newcastle’s sporting pantheon – the 110-year-old Cock of The Harbour Trophy for the fastest boat on the harbour and the Newcastle Harbour Regatta trophy first contested in 1834.
The event will take place from Friday 29 March to Sunday 31 March, including a “Try Sailing” experience on Throsby Creek for kids and their guardians.
In connection with the Newcastle Sailing Yacht Club, the City is contributing $20,000 to the Transpac 52 (TP52) class of competition, an ocean-class vessel.
“I’m proud to announce our sponsorship towards this year’s Sailfest Newcastle Regatta as part of our commitment to develop local events as well as attracting high-quality sporting events,” the Lord Mayor said at today’s launch.
“The event will draw sailors from right up and down the east coast, providing a welcome boost for the local economy and adding another great fixture to our growing calendar of annual events.
“The Sailfest Regatta is a great way to help us realise our vision to create a vibrant and active city and we look forward to growing our relationship with organisers to really activate the harbour and its surrounds.
The event will also help a push by the City and the local sailing community to stage a stopover of the global Ocean Race sailing event in 2021.
The Ocean Race – formerly known as the Volvo Ocean Race – is often described as the longest and toughest professional sporting event in the world and one of the sport’s Big Three events, alongside the Olympic Games and America’s Cup.
The 2021 event will begin in Alicante, Spain, and hopefully feature Newcastle as a port of call in its yet-to-be-confirmed route.
The Newcastle Regatta will be on from 29-31 March. Visit https://www.ncyc.net.au/sailfest-2019-entries-open/
Charges laid after weapons and drugs seized – Strike Force Raptor North
Strike Force Raptor North have charged a man over an alleged breach of a Firearms Prohibition Order (FPO) after weapons were seized from a home near Newcastle last week.
As part of ongoing targeting of the illicit activities of criminal networks, Strike Force Raptor North conducted an FPO search at a unit complex in Young Road, Lambton on Thursday 28 February 2019.
Investigators located three electronic stun devices, an extendable baton, a rifle trigger assembly, ammunition, and MDMA. These items were seized to undergo forensic examination.
Following inquiries, a 36-year-old man was arrested at Belmont Police Station about 8pm on Friday 1 March 2019.
He was charged with possess unauthorised firearm, possess unregistered firearm, not keep firearm safely, two counts of firearm found at premises subject to FPO, possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority, four counts of possess prohibited weapon, four counts of use prohibited weapon contrary to Weapons Prohibition Order (WPO), and two counts of possess prohibited drugs.
The man was refused bail and appeared at Newcastle Local Court on Saturday 2 March 2019, where he was formally refused bail to appear before the same court today (Thursday 7 March 2019).
Strike Force Raptor was established in 2009 and conducts proactive investigations and intelligence-based, high-impact policing operations to prevent and disrupt conflicts, and dismantle any network engaged in serious organised criminal activity.
Investigation underway following fatal collision – Upper Hunter
An investigation is underway into a collision between a car and truck near Willow Tree in the Upper Hunter region last night.
About 10.10pm (Monday 4 March 2019), police and emergency services responded to reports of a head-on collision between a fully-laden semi-trailer and a BMW on the New England Highway, Willow Tree.
The semi-trailer has then veered across the road and through a railing before bursting into flames and falling onto its side.
The 49-year-old male truck driver has managed to extricate himself from the cabin before the entire truck was destroyed by fire.
He was treated at the scene before being taken to Quirindi Hospital for mandatory blood and urine testing.
The male driver – and sole occupant of the BMW – died at the scene. He has yet to be formally identified.
Investigators from Oxley Police District believe the collision was a deliberate act by the BMW driver. A report will be prepared for the information of the NSW Coroner.
Pilot unhurt after Hunter Valley plane crash
Police and emergency services are at the scene of a light plane crash at Pokolbin, in NSW Hunter Valley, this afternoon.
The crash occurred on Wine Country Drive around 3.45pm (Monday 4 March 2019).
The male pilot and sole occupant of the plane was not hurt. After speaking with police at the scene, he was taken to John Hunter Hospital for precautionary medical checks.
Inquiries are continuing.
Stevenson Park set for major renewal
The Masterplan identifies priorities that will activate the park and create a vibrant and inclusive space for Mayfield West residents and visitors.
The Plan includes more car parking, a larger, better playground for kids, a fenced off-leash area for dogs, new footpath connections and upgrades to existing sporting infrastructure. Stage 1 of the plan will be implemented this year.
Stevenson Park will receive a major overhaul with work due to commence this year
“This masterplan will deliver on our shared vision of Stevenson Park as a welcoming and inclusive community meeting place that offers quality sports facilities within a parkland setting,” the Lord Mayor said.
“In future, the park will be home to multifunctional spaces that promote social interaction and active lifestyles in line with the City’s strategic direction to create a city of great public places and neighbourhoods promoting people’s health, happiness and wellbeing.
“City of Newcastle staff are to be commended for undertaking an exemplary and very thorough engagement process that has given the Mayfield West community real ownership of the upgrades that will flow from the site Masterplan.”
The project follows strong advocacy from the local community, particularly through the Friends of Stevenson Park, and follows representations to the City of Newcastle by Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and Ward 1 Councillor Emma White.
The Lord Mayor said the finalised Masterplan and Playground Concept paved the way for the City to deliver the upgrades long advocated by the Mayfield West community.
Councillor White said the Stevenson Park Masterplan will see the community’s hard work pay off.
“I want to congratulate the Friends of Stevenson Park and the broader Mayfield West community for their strong advocacy and hard work,” Cr White said. “We listened to your concerns and we’re getting on with the job of upgrading Stevenson Park for all local residents and visitors to enjoy.
“The Lord Mayor and I have enjoyed the onsite meetings and getting to know the Mayfield West community and the Friends of Stevenson Park through the engagement process.
“This Masterplan will see Stevenson Park become one of the premier sport and recreation facilities across the City of Newcastle.”
City of Newcastle has allocated $150,000 in the 2018-19 Budget to begin construction of the new playground at Stevenson Park.
The Plan includes more car parking, a larger, better playground for kids, a fenced off-leash area for dogs, new footpath connections and upgrades to existing sporting infrastructure. Stage 1 of the plan will be implemented this year.
Stevenson Park will receive a major overhaul with work due to commence this year“This masterplan will deliver on our shared vision of Stevenson Park as a welcoming and inclusive community meeting place that offers quality sports facilities within a parkland setting,” the Lord Mayor said.
“In future, the park will be home to multifunctional spaces that promote social interaction and active lifestyles in line with the City’s strategic direction to create a city of great public places and neighbourhoods promoting people’s health, happiness and wellbeing.
“City of Newcastle staff are to be commended for undertaking an exemplary and very thorough engagement process that has given the Mayfield West community real ownership of the upgrades that will flow from the site Masterplan.”
The project follows strong advocacy from the local community, particularly through the Friends of Stevenson Park, and follows representations to the City of Newcastle by Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and Ward 1 Councillor Emma White.
The Lord Mayor said the finalised Masterplan and Playground Concept paved the way for the City to deliver the upgrades long advocated by the Mayfield West community.
Councillor White said the Stevenson Park Masterplan will see the community’s hard work pay off.
“I want to congratulate the Friends of Stevenson Park and the broader Mayfield West community for their strong advocacy and hard work,” Cr White said. “We listened to your concerns and we’re getting on with the job of upgrading Stevenson Park for all local residents and visitors to enjoy.
“The Lord Mayor and I have enjoyed the onsite meetings and getting to know the Mayfield West community and the Friends of Stevenson Park through the engagement process.
“This Masterplan will see Stevenson Park become one of the premier sport and recreation facilities across the City of Newcastle.”
City of Newcastle has allocated $150,000 in the 2018-19 Budget to begin construction of the new playground at Stevenson Park.
State-of-the-art lighting for popular football field
High-quality floodlights equipped with a powerful, energy-efficient beam will brighten up night-time sporting fixtures for players and spectators at Hamilton South’s Darling Street Oval thanks to support from the City of Newcastle.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the installation of the new state-of-the-art lights would enable local sporting clubs, such as Newcastle Olympic SFC, to reclaim the use of the oval after dark.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes with Newcastle Olympic SFC Chairman Christo Patsan and club players
“City of Newcastle has invested $295,000 into the $400,000 project to provide an improved night-time playing experience for users and sporting clubs,” the Lord Mayor said.
“The LED lights utilise a world first, Australian-designed reflector system which improves lighting performance, delivering a high-powered LED floodlighting experience 40 per more efficient than traditional floodlights.
“Not only have we delivered new-and-improved floodlighting, but City of Newcastle is also proud to have worked closely with the community to develop a site Masterplan, and complete significant upgrades to the existing sporting infrastructure to improve amenity across the site.”
Newcastle Olympic SFC under the new Darling Street Oval lights
Newcastle Olympic SFC Chairman Christo Patsan said the lights were an important milestone in the upgrade of Darling Street Oval.
“We’ve been working with City of Newcastle on an overall masterplan for the redevelopment of Darling Street Oval since 2016, so to see the oval under lights is going to be amazing,” he said.
Mr Patsan said the upgrades would allow Darling Street Oval to host international sporting events, coaching clinics and tournaments, as well as allow his club, Newcastle Olympic SFC, to host events for the underprivileged.
“The new lights give us the ability to activate the oval for longer periods of time, and also to give back to our community through sporting clinics including events and football clinics for refugee children.”
Funding to install the new LED floodlighting system was provided by City of Newcastle, the NSW Government through the Asian Cup Legacy Fund and Newcastle Olympic SFC.
Other works at Darling Street Oval include the expansion of the playing field to meet modern standards, renewed sub-soil drainage, water recycling and irrigation, construction of a new grandstand and additional spectator seating around the oval.”
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the installation of the new state-of-the-art lights would enable local sporting clubs, such as Newcastle Olympic SFC, to reclaim the use of the oval after dark.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes with Newcastle Olympic SFC Chairman Christo Patsan and club players“City of Newcastle has invested $295,000 into the $400,000 project to provide an improved night-time playing experience for users and sporting clubs,” the Lord Mayor said.
“The LED lights utilise a world first, Australian-designed reflector system which improves lighting performance, delivering a high-powered LED floodlighting experience 40 per more efficient than traditional floodlights.
“Not only have we delivered new-and-improved floodlighting, but City of Newcastle is also proud to have worked closely with the community to develop a site Masterplan, and complete significant upgrades to the existing sporting infrastructure to improve amenity across the site.”
Newcastle Olympic SFC under the new Darling Street Oval lightsNewcastle Olympic SFC Chairman Christo Patsan said the lights were an important milestone in the upgrade of Darling Street Oval.
“We’ve been working with City of Newcastle on an overall masterplan for the redevelopment of Darling Street Oval since 2016, so to see the oval under lights is going to be amazing,” he said.
Mr Patsan said the upgrades would allow Darling Street Oval to host international sporting events, coaching clinics and tournaments, as well as allow his club, Newcastle Olympic SFC, to host events for the underprivileged.
“The new lights give us the ability to activate the oval for longer periods of time, and also to give back to our community through sporting clinics including events and football clinics for refugee children.”
Funding to install the new LED floodlighting system was provided by City of Newcastle, the NSW Government through the Asian Cup Legacy Fund and Newcastle Olympic SFC.
Other works at Darling Street Oval include the expansion of the playing field to meet modern standards, renewed sub-soil drainage, water recycling and irrigation, construction of a new grandstand and additional spectator seating around the oval.”