Category: Newcastle News

Police attached to Operation Artemis have charged a man after alleged sexual offences were reported to police on two separate occasions earlier this year.
It will be alleged a man performed sexual acts in front of passengers on two occasions; the first incident being about 5pm on Thursday 25 April 2019 on a Hornsby to Strathfield service, and the second about 2.30pm on Saturday 22 June 2019 on a Wyee to Fassifern service.
Following inquiries, police from the Police Transport Command North/Central, arrested a 53-year-old man at a home in Glebe about 12pm yesterday (Tuesday 23 July 2019).
He was taken to Newtown Police Station and charged with two counts of committing sexual act without consent.
The man was refused bail, to appear before Newtown Local Court today (Wednesday 24 July 2019).
Operation Artemis is an ongoing operation targeting sexual offences on the public transport network.
 

Detectives from Newcastle City Police District are renewing their appeal for information to locate a man missing near Newcastle earlier this year.
Steven ‘Feno’ Fenwick, aged 33, was last seen about 2.30am on Thursday 31 January 2019, when he was walking with a woman near the intersection of Fullerton and Meredith streets, Stockton.
Several searches were conducted at the time, with detectives from Newcastle City Police District establishing Strike Force Kummari to investigate the circumstances surrounding his disappearance.
This month will mark six-months since Steven was last seen; his mother, Debbie, has put out an emotional plea to the wider Newcastle and Stockton communities to help find her son.
“Steven has always been the type of person who would go out of his way to help his friends, family and even strangers in need.
“Even growing up, when his friends needed help, he would always ask us, his family, if they could stay until they got back on their feet.
“Our family and Steven’s closest friends miss him dearly. Please help us find him, help us find answers,” Mrs Fenwick said.
Newcastle City Police Crime Manager, Detective Chief Inspector Scott Parker, says any piece of information, whether it be big or small, could help find Steven.
“Any information provided to police can become a missing piece of the puzzle, and help find Mr Fenwick.” Det Ch Insp Parker said.
As investigations into Strike Force Kummari continue, anyone who may have information about Steven’s disappearance is urged to contact Newcastle Police Station on (02) 4929 0999 or to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Five people have been injured – two critically – after a backyard heater exploded north of Newcastle overnight.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District and NSW Ambulance paramedics were called to a home on Carnouskie Way, Medowie, about 8.30pm (Saturday 20 July 2019), and found five people suffering serious burns.
A 50-year-old man, from Medowie, and a 42-year-old woman, from Corlette, sustained severe burns and were airlifted to Royal North Shore Hospital in a critical condition.
Three men, two aged 39 and 54 from Medowie and a 40-year-old man from Raymond Terrace, were treated at the scene for serious burns to their bodies. They were taken by road ambulance to John Hunter Hospital.
Police have been told the diesel heater was being re-fuelled when the explosion occurred.
A crime scene was established, and witnesses are assisting police with inquiries.

An off-duty police officer and a local man are being praised for their bravery after rescuing three people, including two children, who were washed off rocks at Port Stephens yesterday.
About 2.40pm (Saturday 20 July 2019), emergency services were called to Boat Harbour after reports that three people, who had been swimming in rock pools, were washed into the ocean.
Due to high swell and windy conditions an eight-year-old boy, 15-year-old girl and 44-year-old woman – were carried south.
Onlookers alerted a local man, Mr Michael Pascoe, of Boat Harbour, in a small aluminium vessel, who went to their aid.
An off-duty police officer Sergeant Andrew Parker, from the Marine Area Command, entered the water with a rescue board and pulled the three swimmers to the boat.
Officers from Nelson Bay Police Station, Water Police, Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter and Surf Life Saving NSW all attended the scene.
The two children and their mother were pulled from the water with no major injuries; the girl is being checked for a suspected sprained ankle.
“The heroic efforts of Sergeant Parker and Mr Pascoe in rescuing these three people in dangerous surf conditions should be commended,” said Acting Inspector Christine McDonald.
“If not for the quick-thinking and courageous response from these men, the outcome could have been tragic for these three swimmers.”

A search is underway for a man police believe can assist with inquiries following an alleged break, enter and steal at a building site this morning.
About 6.30am (Sunday 21 July 2019), police were called to a premise under construction on Macquarie Road, Cardiff following reports of a trespassing offence underway.
When officers from Lake Macquarie Police District arrived, they located a number of tools and a collection of building supplies stacked next to a black Suzuki 4WD.
Soon after police located a man who immediately ran from the building site. A short foot pursuit followed before officers lost sight of the man.
A perimeter was established and Polair and the Dog Unit were engaged. The man was tracked to local bushland but when he was unable to be located, the search for him was suspended at 12.30pm.
Police would like to speak to a man they hope can assist with their inquiries.
The man is described as of Caucasian appearance, about 175cm tall, aged in his 40s, with a medium build and brown hair. He was last seen wearing a blue jacket and grey beanie.

A senior member of the Rebels outlaw motorcycle gang (OMCG) has been charged after Strike Force Raptor seized weapons, drugs and diesel suspected of being stolen, from a home in the Hunter region.
As part of ongoing investigations into an alleged criminal network, police from the Criminal Groups Squad’s Strike Force Raptor North stopped and spoke to a 45-year-old man on Young Street, Rutherford, about 5.40am yesterday (Thursday 18 July 2019).
The man was arrested and charged for allegedly breaching his bail.
He was refused bail and appeared at Maitland Local Court that morning, where he was released on conditional bail.
A short time later, Strike Force Raptor North conducted a Firearms Prohibition Order (FPO) search at a home in Rutherford.
During the search, investigators located several items, including a push dagger, a sheath knife, a disguised electronic control device, an extendable baton and Rebels OMCG colours.
Investigators also found a crystal substance suspected to be methylamphetamine, prescribed restricted substances and 20 drums of diesel suspected of being stolen.
All items were seized for forensic analysis.
The 45-year-old man was re-arrested at the scene and taken to Maitland Police Station.
He was charged with possess prohibited weapon without permit (x4), use prohibited weapon contrary to prohibition order (x4), fail to ensure safe keeping of prohibited weapon (x4), possess prohibited drug (x3), possess prescribed restricted substance (x2) and goods in custody.
The man was refused bail to appear before Maitland Local Court today (Friday 19 July 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.
 

Police have charged a man with one count of intimidation and one count of possessing an unauthorised pistol after a road rage incident near Newcastle yesterday.
About 4.40pm (Thursday 18 July 2019) a 19-year-old woman, driving a white Suzuki Swift, turned out of Bryant Street onto Union Street, Tighes Hill.
Shortly after this, a green Honda CRV pulled in closely behind her and started beeping its horn.
The Honda, containing three males, then pulled up along-side the Suzuki and started making threatening gestures to her, with one man brandishing what appeared to be a handgun. The Honda followed her for a further three minutes before turning into a petrol station at Islington.
Following the incident, police from the Newcastle City Police Area Command made inquiries and located the vehicle.
As a result a 19-year-old man presented himself to detectives at Newcastle Police Station today (Friday 19 July 2019) where he was interviewed, arrested and charged.
The man was granted conditional bail and is set to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Thursday 22 August 2019.

Police are appealing for public assistance for information after a break-in at a registered club at Muswellbrook early this morning.
About 2am (Thursday 18 July 2019), a man gained access into the Sydney Street club and entered the office area. He then went to the safe and removed an amount of cash, before leaving the club.
Police from Hunter Valley Police District attended and established a crime scene.
Anyone who noticed anything suspicious during the evening of Wednesday 17 July and the early hours of Thursday 18 July 2019 in Sydney Street is urged to contact 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.

A man will face court today after an investigation revealed he allegedly contravened apprehended violence orders 44 times.
About 9am today (Thursday 18 July 2019), a 29-year-old man was charged at Newcastle Police Station after officers attached to the Central Metropolitan Domestic Violence High Risk Offenders Team identified numerous instances of alleged threats made to a 35-year-old woman.
The man was charged with contravene prohibition / restriction in AVO (44), do act with intent to pervert the course of justice (14 years), act with intent to influence witness (3), prevent potential witness from attending proceedings (3) and outstanding warrant (breach of community release order).
He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Thursday 18 July 2019).

Police have arrested a man following an alleged break-in at a registered club in the Hunter Valley this morning.
About 2am (Thursday 18 July 2019), a man allegedly gained access into the Sydney Street club and entered the office area, where he removed an amount of cash, before leaving the club.
Police from Hunter Valley Police District attended and established a crime scene.
About 1.30pm, officers attended Scott Street, Muswellbrook and arrested a 34-year-old man.
He was taken to Muswellbrook Police Station where he was charged with break, enter and steal.
He was refused bail to appear at Muswellbrook Local Court tomorrow (Friday 19 July 2019).