Category: NSW News

The first contingent of Ruby Princess crew members will begin the process of repatriation to their home countries today (Tuesday 21 April 2020), as a multi-agency operation led by NSW Police Force begins.
NSW Police Force has worked closely with Australian Border Force, Australian Federal Police, NSW Health, Aspen Medical, Carnival Cruises and government officials from numerous overseas jurisdictions to ensure the safe movement and eventual return of the crew members to their countries of origin.
Officers from the Marine Area Command, assisted by Transport for NSW, NSW Health and the Australian Defence Force, will today disembark at least 49 crew members from six countries.
One of the 49 crew members has tested positive for COVID-19. Upon disembarkation, the crew member will be taken to a NSW Health-managed hotel to undertake a strict 14-day quarantine period.
Stringent protocols are in place to ensure the movement of this person does not pose a risk to the public.
Once the 14-day quarantine period is exhausted, subject to a medical clearance by NSW Health, the crew member will be transported to Sydney Airport to fly back to their country of origin.
The remaining 48 crew members have tested negative for COVID-19. They will be disembarked this morning, and arrangements are being made for flights to return them to their home countries.
More crew members will be disembarked from the Ruby Princess over the coming days, and details of those operations will be provided to media in due course.
A significant number of crew members will remain on the Ruby Princess and return with the ship to its port of origin.
NSW Police Force Commissioner Mick Fuller praised the co-ordinated effort to keep those on and off the ship safe.
“Today’s operation is the culmination of a significant joint effort by a number of agencies, and that effort will continue until we have ensured the safety and movement of every crew member, in line with their wishes,” Commissioner Fuller said.
“The health of those on board and protecting the people of NSW always has been – and will continue to be – our number one priority.
“The movement of the first crew contingent today is an important milestone, and has us one step closer to the Ruby Princess leaving Australian waters.”
Investigations under Strike Force Bast surrounding the docking and disembarking of the Ruby Princess at Sydney Harbour on Thursday 19 March 2020 are continuing.
Anyone who has information relevant to the investigation, including details of symptoms, illness, or medical advice during the voyage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
The community is reminded that their information is treated in strict confidence.

Two people are due in court today charged with assault after they allegedly spat on workers in separate incidents in Sydney.
A 32-year-old woman has been charged after she allegedly spat on a bus driver after he asked her to stop smoking on his bus.
Officers from the Police Transport Command have been told the woman was on a State Transit bus on Darlinghurst Road at Potts Point about 2.45pm on Sunday (19 April 2020), when she was told she couldn’t smoke on the bus. Police will allege the woman abused the driver before spitting in his face. She left the bus and police were alerted.
Following inquiries, the woman was arrested at a home unit in Surry Hills about 1.45pm yesterday (Monday 20 April 2020), and taken to Kings Cross Police Station where she was charged with common assault.
In a separate incident, a 41-year-old man was refused bail overnight after allegedly biting and punching hospital security, then spitting blood on a nurse at an Inner West hospital.
Officers from Inner West Police Area Command had been called to a unit in Missenden Road at Newtown about 11pm Sunday (19 April 2020), investigating a breach of a Personal Violence Order.
The man was found unconscious inside and an ambulance was called to take him to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital for treatment.
Police have been told while at the hospital, the man punched one security officer in the face and bit a second on the forearm; he then allegedly spat blood and saliva into the face of a female nurse.
The man was arrested on his release from hospital last night and was taken to Newtown Police Station where he was charged with stalk/intimidate with intent to cause fear (two counts), common assault (three counts), and contravene AVO.
Both are due to appear in Central Local Court today (Tuesday 21 April 2020).
These people have been charged with common assault in relation to the spitting offences rather than being issued with a fine; both have been refused bail overnight.
 

Police have charged two people under the Public Health Act 2010 (NSW) and issued 25 COVID-19 related Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) for offences within the past 24 hours.
Yesterday’s charges:

• Just after 2.30pm yesterday (Monday 20 April 2020), officers from Sydney City Police Area Command were called following reports of a woman shoplifting at a chemist on Riley Street, Surry Hills. Police attended and found a 30-year-old woman inside a bank at a shopping centre on George Street, Sydney CBD. Officers searched the woman and allegedly found stolen items, including earrings. Checks revealed the woman had been charged with not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 – COVID-19 on Sunday (19 April 2020) and issued three warnings earlier this month. The Surry Hills woman was subsequently arrested and taken to Day Street Police Station where she was charged with shoplifting and not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 – COVID-19. She was refused bail to appear at Central Local Court today (Tuesday 21 April 2020).

• About 1.30pm yesterday (Monday 20 April 2020), officers from Mt Druitt Police Area Command attended a street shopping precinct on Cleeve Close, Mt Druitt, following reports of a brawl. Upon arrival, police observed a group of about 10 men. As officers approached, several members of the group dispersed, before they spoke to a 29-year-old Plumpton man. Checks revealed the man had previously been issued three $1000 PINs and a warning on four separate occasions since Saturday 4 April 2020. He was subsequently arrested and taken to Mt Druitt Police Station where he was charged with not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 – COVID-19. He was granted conditional bail to appear at Mt Druitt Local Court on Wednesday 10 June 2020.

Yesterday’s PINs include:

• Just after 9.30am, a 40-year-old woman entered a fast food restaurant on Charlton Street, Woy Woy, when she allegedly threatened a 22-year-old staff member. The woman then allegedly spat at staff before entering the employee-only section and stole food. Officers from Brisbane Water Police District were called and arrested the woman. She was issued a $5000 PIN for not comply with notice direction in relation to spitting – COVID19 and a criminal infringement notice for stealing.

• About 7pm, officers attached to Brisbane Water Police District observed a Mitsubishi Triton utility travelling up to 171km/h in a 110km/h zone on the M1 Motorway at Somersby. Police stopped the car at a nearby rest stop, where the driver, a 26-year-old man, underwent a roadside breath test, which allegedly returned a positive result. He was arrested and taken to Wyong Police Station, where a subsequent breath analysis allegedly returned a reading of 0.054. The man was issued a traffic infringement for exceed speed over 45km/h and low range PCA. He was also issued $1000 Pin for non-essential travel.

• Just after 12pm, officers from Richmond Police District were patrolling the Pat Morton Lookout at Lennox Head, when they spoke with a 31-year-old man who was watching people surf. The man told officers he had travelled from Byron Bay for a surf; however, police observed he did not have his surfboard with him. He was issued a $1000 PIN. At the same location, police spoke with a 60-year-old man who was taking photographs. He told police he had travelled from Queensland to see his son. He was also issued a $1000 PIN.

• At 1.15pm, officers attached to Richmond Police District spoke to two men who were sitting in a van parked at Lake Ainsworth, Lennox Head. The driver, aged 23, and passenger, aged 27, stated they had travelled from Suffolk Park for a swim. The provisional driver was allegedly unable to provide police with his licence. The driver was issued an infringement notice for not displaying P-plates as required and both were issued $1000 PINs.

• Officers from Murray River Police District were patrolling the Deniliquin area, when they stopped a vehicle on Edwardes Street about 8.15pm. The driver, a 20-year-old man, did not provide a reasonable excuse for not being at home. Police also discovered he had been formally warned regarding the same issue on Friday 17 April 2020. He was subsequently issued a $1000 PIN.

• About 4.40pm, police will allege a 37-year-old man was at a home on Manilla Road, Oxley Vale, when a Holden Commodore pulled up outside and a 24-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman exited the vehicle with a dog. It’s alleged the younger man, armed with a metal police, threatened and attempted to assault the older man before setting his dog on him. Officers from Oxley Police District attended and arrested the 24-year-old man. He was taken to Tamworth Police Station, where he was charged with stalk/intimidate intend fear physical harm, armed with intent commit indictable offence, set on, urge dog to attack, bite, negligent driving, and drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous. He was granted strict conditional bail and is due to appear at Tamworth Local Court on Monday 6 July 2020. The man and woman were also issued $1000 PINs.

• About 7.40pm, officers from Mt Druitt Police Area Command were patrolling the Whalan area, when they stopped a vehicle on Popondetta Road, near Woodstock Avenue. Officers spoke with the driver, a 29-year-old man, who told police he was out to purchase food and cigarettes. Police discovered the man was from Kelso and had passed many food outlets and stores before arriving in Whalan. Checks also revealed the man had been issued a warning earlier the same day and he was subsequently issued a $1000 PIN.

• Just after 2am, officers from Murrumbidgee Police District were patrolling when they observed a man riding a bicycle on Illiliwa Street, Griffith. Police spoke to the 28-year-old man, who allegedly provided no reasonable excuse for being out of his house. He was subsequently issued a $1000 PIN.

• About 9.30pm, officers from St George Highway Patrol Command stopped a Toyota Camry on Belmore Road, Riverwood, for the purposes of a roadside breath and drug test. The driver, a 28-year-old man, allegedly returned a positive detection to cannabis and taken to Kogarah Police Station for a secondary test. Inquiries revealed the man had driven from his home in Bankstown to a relative’s house in Riverwood to allegedly smoke cannabis. He was issued a $1000 PIN for non-essential travel. Investigations continue.

• About 7.40pm, officers from the Police Transport Command, spoke to three teenage girls at Central Railway Station. Checks revealed one of the girls, aged 16, had previously been warned earlier that day after she travelled from her home at Avoca without a reasonable excuse. The girl was also warned on 16 April after being stopped at Gosford Railway Station. She was subsequently issued a $1000 PIN. The two other girls were issued warnings.

Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related ministerial direction is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Informationis treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.

Temporary accommodation pods are continuing to be delivered to the hardest hit residents in bushfire affected areas across the state, with more pods arriving in Kempsey and Eurobodalla this week.
More than 100 temporary accommodation pods will be provided to residents in bushfire affected communities across the state, thanks to a partnership between the NSW Government and Andrew and Nicola Forrest’s Minderoo Foundation.
Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for Disaster Recovery John Barilaro said it was important to offer safe and secure shelter to help people stay on their land, if they choose to do so.
“We have provided emergency and temporary accommodation to 8,000 people since November last year, however we recognise that for some people a hotel or motel in the next largest town doesn’t suit, as they have responsibilities like looking after animals and tending to livestock”, Mr Barilaro said.
“Over the next few weeks, we will see an additional 50 pods allocated, which is great news for many residents. The current temporary accommodation pods can house up to four people, however we are looking to develop larger pods to suit larger families.
“We are doing all we can to keep families and communities together wherever possible.”
Minderoo Foundation CEO Andrew Hagger said the recovery pods had been well received.
“We’re incredibly proud of the impact our recovery pods have had. The feedback from recipients has been overwhelmingly positive,” Mr Hagger said.
“The Minderoo Foundation team has been working tirelessly to get pods out, despite the new challenges COVID-19 has presented.
“We will continue to work with the NSW Government, to help as many people impacted by the fires as we can, for as long as it’s safe to do so.”
The temporary accommodation pods will allow people to stay on their land while they rebuild, with the first pods arriving in Kempsey and Eurobodalla Local Government Areas. Pods have also been approved for deployment to the Tenterfield and Glen Innes Local Government Areas, with delivery and installation to be scheduled shortly.
The pods will be provided for up to two years, tying into recent planning amendments which allow temporary accommodation on private property for up to two years.

Better protections, stronger assessment and more environmental offsets will ensure Sydney’s drinking water supply is safeguarded, following an extensive review by an independent expert panel.
Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes said the NSW Government had accepted all 50 recommendations of the expert panel led by the office of the NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer.
“We want to ensure we have every measure in place to protect Sydney’s water supply for generations to come,” Mr Stokes said.
“We’ve accepted all of the recommendations from the panel and have established an interagency taskforce to implement a detailed action plan throughout this year.
“These actions will improve our existing comprehensive assessment and monitoring of underground coal mining while providing certainty for both Sydney’s water supply and thousands of jobs across NSW – particularly 5,000 workers in the Illawarra.”
The action plan includes:

• Ensuring there is a net gain for the metropolitan water supply by requiring more offsetting from mining companies;
• Establishing a new independent expert panel to advise on future mining applications in the catchment;
• Strengthening surface and groundwater monitoring;
• Improving access to and transparency of environmental data;
• Adopting a more stringent approach to the assessment and conditioning of future mining proposals to minimise subsidence impacts;
• Reviewing and updating current and potential future water losses from mining in line with the best available science;
• Introducing a licensing regime to properly account for any water losses; and
• Undertaking further research into mine closure planning to reduce potential long-term impacts.

The Independent Expert Panel for Mining in the Catchment’s final report is available at https://www.chiefscientist.nsw.gov.au/reports/independent-expert-panel-for-mining-in-the-catchment

Police have charged six people under the Public Health Act 2010 (NSW) and issued 31 COVID-19 related Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) for offences within the past 24 hours.
Yesterday’s charges:

• Officers from Sydney City Police Area Command were patrolling the CBD just before 2am (Sunday 19 April 2020), when they approached a woman on the corner of Goulburn and Cunningham Streets, who had price tags visible on her clothing. During a search of the woman, police located an array of clothing with price tags on them, suspected to be stolen. Checks revealed the woman had multiple warnings and a recent fine for breaching Ministerial Directions under the Public Health Act. She was subsequently charged with not comply with noticed direction re s 7/8/9 – COVID-19 and appeared in court yesterday, where she was convicted and given a $220 fine.

• About 2.15am police from Traffic and Highway Patrol Command spoke to a 22-year-old man on Luxford Road, Mt Druitt, who was walking with two other males. It was ascertained the man had been issued with two prior PINS for breaching the Public Health Act. The man was informed he would be issued with another PIN and instructed to walk directly to the Mt Druitt Railway Station and return home. The man was arrested after he ignored the direction. He was charged with not comply with noticed direction and granted conditional bail, due to appear in Mount Druitt Local Court on 13 May 2020.

• About 9am (Sunday 19 April 2020), a 50-year-old man attended Westfield Warringah Mall – allegedly in breach of a banning notice – and became aggressive with security officers before leaving. About 11.40am, officers from Northern Beaches Police Area Command located the man on Howard Avenue, Dee Why, seated on a bench drinking a beer. When asked about a jacket in his possession, the man stated it was stolen from the donation bins. The man was subsequently charged with breaching the Public Health Act, enter enclosed lands, larceny and goods in custody. He’s been refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court today (Monday 20 April 2020).

• About 1.15pm police from the Sutherland Shire Police Area Command attended a multi-story carpark in Croyden Street, Cronulla, responding to reports of a man who appeared to be unconscious in his car. As police approached the 50-year-old man he became aggressive. Police asked the man to participate in random breath test and he allegedly grabbed the officer’s arm and attempted to spit in his face. The man was removed from the car where it is further alleged he attempted to bite police. He was taken to Sutherland Police Station and charged with assault police and not comply with noticed direction re spitting/coughing – COVID-19. He was refused bail and is expected to appear via AVL in Parramatta Local Court today (Monday 20 April 2020).

• At 2.20pm police attached to the Mid North Police Area Command attended a service station on Smith Street, Kempsey following a theft. The 27-year-old woman was arrested and taken to Kempsey Police Station. The woman informed police that she had recently been tested for Covid-19 and was informed to self-isolate until she received results. She was charged with three counts of shoplifting, larceny, dishonestly obtain financial advantage, breach of bail and not comply with noticed direction. She was refused bail and will appear in Kempsey Local Court via AVL today (Monday 20 April 2020).

• About 4.10am yesterday (Sunday 19 April 2020), officers from Kuring Gai Police Area Command were patrolling the St Ives area, when they came across a group of youths congregating on Bedford Avenue. One of the boys, aged 16, was allegedly in breach of his bail conditions. The youths then ran from police before the 16-year-old boy was arrested. He was taken to Hornsby Police Station, where he was charged with breach of bail and not comply with noticed direction re s 7/8/9 – COVID-19. He was granted strict conditional bail and is due to appear a Children’s Court on Tuesday 16 June 2020.

Yesterday’s PINs include:

• About 9.30am yesterday (Sunday 19 April 2020), officers from Burwood Police Area Command were called to a unit complex in Swan Avenue, Strathfield, over a noise complaint. On arrival, officers located six men allegedly having a social gathering. All six men – aged 21, 26, 26, 27, 27 and 31 – were issued PINs.

• Just before 1pm yesterday, officers from Central North Police District were patrolling the Kamilaroi Highway, when they stopped a vehicle at Brewarrina. Officers spoke with the driver, a 41-year-old woman, who could not provide a reasonable excuse for not being at home and allegedly had camping equipment. She was issued infringement notices for defected tyres, not obey police direction, exceed speed more than 20km/h, and fail to comply with notice direction in relation to section 7/8/9 – COVID19.

• Officers from Murray River Police District were patrolling the West Albury area, when they came across a car parked in Kremur Street just after midnight yesterday. Inside the vehicle, officers located four men, aged 18, 20, 21 and 21, who were allegedly drinking alcohol and not following social distancing regulations. All four men were issued PINs.

Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related ministerial direction is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 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.

Police have charged seven people under the Public Health Act 2010 (NSW) and issued 45 COVID-19 related Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) for offences within the past 24 hours.
Yesterday’s charges:

• About 1am (Saturday 18 April 2020), police were called to Stuart Avenue, Wahroonga, after reports a 15-year-old man had been assaulted in a nearby park. Officers from Kuring Gai Police Area Command attended and following inquiries, two boys – both aged 16 – were arrested at homes in St Ives and Turramurra. One of the boys was charged with affray, not comply with noticed direction re S7/8/9 – COVID-19, and breach of bail. The second boy was charged with affray and not comply with noticed direction re S7/8/9 – COVID-19. They were both were refused bail to appear at a children’s court today (Sunday 19 April 2020).

• About 1.20pm (Saturday 18 April 2020), three males attended a home on Belgrave Esplanade, Sylvania, and allegedly threw a rock and a glass bottle at a window. The incident was reported to officers from Sutherland Shire Police Area Command and following inquiries, two boys – both aged 16 – were arrested at a Miranda shopping centre. They were both charged with destroy or damage property, three counts of stalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc harm (domestic), and not comply with noticed direction re S7/8/9 – COVID-19. They are due to appear at a children’s court on Wednesday 22 June 2020.

• About midnight (Saturday 18 April 2020), officers from Tweed/Byron Police District were patrolling Missingham Park, Ballina, and spoke to three men, before issuing them a warning about the current restrictions under the Public Health Act. Just before 2am the same day, police were called to Owen Street, Ballina, and spoke to five people – three men and two women – who were consuming alcohol. The group claimed they were fishing when warned about the current restrictions, before being moved on from the area. About 2.30am, police were called to Meldrum Park. A 21-year-old man refused to leave and was arrested. Following a struggle with officers, he was taken to Ballina Police Station and charged with not comply with noticed direction re S7/8/9 – COVID-19, furnish false or misleading information, refuse/fail to comply with direction under Part 14, resist officer in execution of duty, and breach of bail. He was refused bail to appear at Lismore Local Court today.

• About 1.45am (Saturday 18 April 2020), detectives from Redfern Region Enforcement Squad stopped and spoke with a 24-year-old man who was sitting in a stationary car outside a unit complex on Station Street, Newtown. During a search of his vehicle, officers allegedly located $41,180 in cash in a hidden compartment. The man was arrested and taken Newtown Police Station where he was charged with dealing with the proceeds of crime and not complying with noticed direction – COVID-19. He was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Bail Court today.

• Shortly before 3pm (Saturday 18 April 2020), officers from South Coast Highway Patrol noticed a Nissan patrol wagon with modifications travelling north on the Princes Highway. Shortly after, officers attended the home of the driver on Gunbar Way, Nowra. A 24-year-old man answered the door, and allegedly became aggressive towards the officer, before spitting at the male senior constable and assaulting him. Further police were called to the scene and the man was arrested. He was taken to Nowra Police Station and charged with seven offences including assault police, resist arrest (x2) and not comply with noticed direction re spitting/coughing – COVID-19. He was granted conditional bail and is due to appear at Nowra Local Court on Monday 15 June 2020.

 
Yesterday’s PINs include:

• Officers attached to Newcastle City Police District attended a home on Nott Street, Merewether, at 12.50am, following reports of a party. Upon arrival, police observed six people sitting on an upstairs balcony area. Three people were directed to leave as it was not their place of residence. One of the men – aged 40 – allegedly refused to leave and yelled at police. He eventually complied and together with a 49-year-old man and a 50-year-old woman, they were issued a $1000 PIN for failing to comply with Ministerial Directions.

• Four men – aged 19, 23 and two aged 18 – travelling together in a vehicle were stopped by officers attached to Mid North Coast Police District around 10.45pm on Macleay Valley Way, South Kempsey. The 23-year-old man allegedly told police he had been picked up by friends in South West Rocks because he had recently lost his licence and needed to return to his home in Cessnock. All four occupants were issued $1000 PINs.

• Just after midnight, officers from Kings Cross Police Area Command stopped a McLaren 650S travelling on Ward Avenue, Potts Point. The driver, a 43-year-old Fairfield man, told officers he was driving to Woolloomooloo to get petrol. After being warned, he informed officers driving is a form of exercise. The man and his 60-year-old passenger were each issued a $1000 PIN. The driver allegedly told police “do what you want mate, I don’t care. This $1000 fine won’t hurt with my $15 million.”

• About 10.30am, officers from Auburn police Area Command were conducting patrols of Auburn Central Plaza when they stopped and spoke to a 27-year-old man. Police explained the current restrictions and the man left. Police returned to the plaza just before 3pm and spoke to the same man. He was issued a $1000 PIN after allegedly telling officers “I thought you just meant go for an hour.”

• About 8.40am, officers attached to Auburn Police Area Command attended a home on Sheffield Street, Auburn, and found four men congregating in a small room, with one man hiding behind the door. Only one of the four men, a 39-year-old, resides at the address and no one in the group – including a 25-year-old man from Guildford, a 36-year-old man from another Auburn address and a 40-year-old man from Fairfield East – are related. They were each issued a $1,000 PIN.

• About 12.30am, officers from Cumberland Police Area Command stopped and spoke to a 29-year-old man on Pendle Way, Pendle Hill. The man was issued a $1000 PIN after telling police he was out to go a visit a friend.

• About 2am, officers from Inner West Police Area Command stopped and spoke to a 19-year-old woman on Station Street, Enmore. The woman was issued a $1000 PIN after telling officers she was going to pay rent in Lakemba and then drive to Cabramatta to buy a pork roll.

• Just after 4pm, officers attached to Mt Druitt Police Area Command spoke with a 22-year-old man at a shopping centre on North Parade, Mt Druitt, about being in a public place without a reasonable excuse. The man had previously been warned and after telling police he was on his way to a friend’s house to “smoke weed” and was subsequently issued a $1000 PIN.

• About 10.55am, officers attached to South Sydney Police Area Command were patrolling the Waterloo area when they observed a group of about 10 people sitting in a park on Cope Street. The group were all given a warning and left the park. At 2.15pm the same day, police observed two men from the group sitting in a park on Pitt Street with another group of people. All were warned and directed to move on. Shortly after, about 2.45pm, police observed the same two men – aged 71 and 77 – on Raglan Street and issued them with a $1000 PIN each.

• About 6.45pm, offices attached to Sydney City Police Area Command spoke with a 43-year-old man sitting near the intersection of George and Park streets, Sydney CBD. He was warned about being outside his place of residence and allegedly began yelling and swearing at police before trying to walk away. Officers placed the man under arrest, however, he started swinging his hands in the direction of the officers. The man was arrested and taken to Day Street Police Station and charged with assault police officer in execution of duty without actual bodily harm and resist or hinder police officer in the execution of duty. He was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court today (Sunday 19 April 2020). He was also issued a $1000 PIN for being out of home without reasonable excuse.

Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related ministerial direction is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 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.

A boy has been cautioned over a coughing incident in the Hunter Region this week.
Just before 2pm (Sunday 12 April 2020), a 73-year-old man and a 68-year-old woman were walking along Victoria Parade, Nelson Bay, and as they approached the pedestrian crossing, a white Nissan Navara slowed and pulled up beside them.
Police have been told that a boy leaned his head and shoulders out of the passenger window and coughed over the couple.
He and the other occupants in the vehicle started laughing before the vehicle drove off.
The couple contacted police and officers from Port Stephens/Hunter Police District commenced an investigation.
Following an investigation, a 16-year-old boy attended Ryde Police Station and he will be issued a caution under the Young Offenders Act.
Two other occupants of the car have been issued warnings for breaching the Health Minister’s Direction.

A man will appear in court today charged over allegedly spitting and trying to cough on police after he was stopped for riding an unregistered motorcycle in Sydney’s south.
About 5.45pm yesterday (Friday 17 April 2020), officers from Traffic and Highway Patrol Command were patrolling the Beverly Hills area, when they spotted a motorcyclist riding without a helmet on Tooronga Terrace.
Officers stopped the motorcycle to speak with the rider, a 31-year-old man, before he allegedly tried to cough on them and spat at them.
The man underwent a roadside breath test, which allegedly returned a positive result.
He was arrested and taken to St George Police Station, where he underwent a breath analysis test and allegedly returned a reading of 0.079.
The man was charged with 10 offences, including:

• drive with low range PCA,
• use unregistered Class A motor vehicle,
• use uninsured motor vehicle,
• drive motor vehicle unlicensed for Class,
• motorbike rider not wear helmet,
• drive on path,
• resist officer in execution of duty,
• refuse to produce Australian Licence/State Name and residential address,
• not comply with noticed direction re section 7/8/9 – COVID-19, and
• not comply noticed direction re spitting/coughing – COVID-19.

The Tregear man was refused bail to appear at Central Local Court today (Saturday 18 April 2020).
 

A man has been fined after he allegedly spat in the face of a security officer at a Central Coast hospital last week.
About 11.30pm on Thursday 9 April 2020, officers from Tuggerah Lakes Police District attended a home on Henry Parkes Drive, Berkeley Vale, following reports of a domestic violence related incident.
Police had been told a man had left the home and been involved in a motor vehicle crash nearby on Laguna Avenue before returning.
A 25-year-old man was detained and taken to Wyong Hospital for assessment.
While being treated, the man had to be restrained by police and security. It is alleged the man spat in the face of a 56-year-old security officer.
Following inquiries, the 25-year-old man was issued a $5000 PIN yesterday (Friday 17 April 2020), for not comply noticed direction in relation to spitting/coughing – COVID-19.
Inquiries continue.