Category: Newcastle News

A man has been charged following an alleged kidnapping incident in Newcastle earlier this week.
Around 9pm on Monday 29 April 2019, a 48-year-old man and 37-year-old woman were at a licenced premises at Main Road, Cardiff.
Police have been told the pair then got in a vehicle and drove to multiple locations within Newcastle, during which the woman was allegedly assaulted several times.
About 2pm the next day (Tuesday 30 April 2019), the woman was dropped off in the Wallsend area, where she sought assistance from a nearby business and police were contacted.
The 48-year-old man was arrested at Waratah Police Station and charged with take/detain person with intent to obtain advantage occasion actual bodily harm.
He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Wednesday 1 May 2019).

Strike Force Raptor North have arrested a Rebels outlaw motorcycle gang (OMCG) nominee, who was wanted on three outstanding warrants.
In March 2019, police commenced inquiries to locate a 25-year-old man, who was wanted on two outstanding warrants for assault offences and a revocation of parole warrant.
Following extensive inquiries, which included social media posts by the man taunting local police, Strike Force Raptor North investigators arrested the man at a unit in Parkway Avenue, Cooks Hill, about 7.45am today (Wednesday 1 May 2019).
He was taken to Waratah Police Station, where he was charged with the outstanding warrants.
The man, who is a nominee of the Rebels OMCG, was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today.
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.
Anyone with information, including relevant photos and videos, that may assist Strike Force Raptor can report it directly to investigators via the Strike Force Raptor online reporting page: https://www1.police.nsw.gov.au/Default.aspx?id=49 or call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Information provided to investigators will be treated in the strictest of confidence.

Two men will appear in court next month after being charged with a break and enter offence near Lake Macquarie.
During Sunday 28 April 2019 a home in Robina Drive at Hillsborough was broken into and a quantity of Australian currency was stolen.
That afternoon the owner reported the matter to police at Lake Macquarie Police District and officers commenced an investigation.
On Monday 29 April 2019 officers from Lake Macquarie Target Action Group arrested a 20-year-old man at a Roe Street, Mayfield home.
Officers subsequently searched a property at Hamilton South and recovered a quantity of cash.
Investigators then executed a search warrant at a home in Avery Lane at Buchanan and seized a quantity of cash and items of clothing for forensic analysis.
Following the search warrant a 22-year-old man was arrested at Cessnock Police Station.
Both men were charged with break, enter and steal and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime.
The 20-year-old man was granted conditional bail to appear at Cessnock Local Court on Wednesday 22 May 2019.
The 22-year-old man was granted conditional bail to appear at Cessnock Local Court on Wednesday 29 May 2019.
Police continue with their inquiries into the incident.

A man will face court tomorrow after an alleged kidnapping in the Lake Macquarie area.
About 8.15am on Monday 29 April 2019, a 28-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman, known to each other, were travelling in a Holden Commodore station wagon to Newcastle.
While at the intersection of the Pacific Highway and Northcott Drive, Adamstown Heights, the 28-year-old man allegedly assaulted the woman, then continued driving.
The woman escaped from the car while it was stopped on King Street, Newcastle, and ran to a nearby Court House where police were contacted.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District attended and spoke to the victim, commencing an investigation.
About 8pm, the 26-year-old woman was walking to an address in West Wallsend, when a 28-year-old man in a Holden Commodore, who is known to her, allegedly forced her into the car, travelling to Cessnock.
The man stopped the vehicle believed to be somewhere in Pokolbin preventing the woman from leaving.
They continued to travel to an address in Cessnock, where they remained most of the day. The woman was dropped off at a hotel in Cessnock and contacted police.
Following inquiries, detectives arrested a 28-year-old man at a hotel in Cessnock, about 2.15pm today (Tuesday 30 April 2019).
The man was taken to Cessnock Police Station and charged with common assault (x2), contravene apprehended violence order (x2), and take/detain person with intent to obtain advantage.
He was refused bail to appear at Maitland Local Court tomorrow (Wednesday 1 May 2019).

Shadow Minister for the Environment Tony Burke and Labor Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon are pleased to announce a Shorten Labor Government will commit $2.3 million to rejuvenate Throsby Creek and prevent damaging plastics and rubbish from ending up in the ocean.
This election will be a choice between a Shorten Labor Government with a plan for the environment, or more cuts and chaos from the Liberals.
Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon said the project includes the installation of traps to collect rubbish before it flows to the harbour.
“The funding will allow for the installation of four gross pollutant traps to catch rubbish at the source so it doesn’t end up in our precious ocean,” Ms Claydon said.
Ms Claydon said the fund would also allow for landscaping of the northern bank of the creek between Lewis Street Bridge and Hannell Street.
“The plan is for a non-sealed walkway with appropriate landscaping. Work will include cultivation of existing soil, soil improvement, plating and mulching,” Ms Claydon said.
“This will greatly improve the amenity of the area, mitigate erosion and decrease the potential for contaminant runoff from the former industrial land.”
“Through the Urban Rivers and Corridors Program, a Shorten Labor Government has committed $200 million to restore urban waterways and habitat corridors across the country to their natural beauty,” said Mr Burke.
“Labor’s investment will unlock grant funding for projects to clean up our rivers including revegetation, tree planting, waste capture and naturalisation projects.”
“For too long, our rivers, creeks and wetlands have been treated like storm water drains, end up polluted, dirty and littered with shopping trolleys rather than being safe spaces for families, kids and school groups to visit.
“Labor will engage state and local governments, local councils, community groups and local environmental organisations to bring urban waterways and habitat corridors back to health.”
Labor’s $200 million investment will fund projects to clean up our rivers, including:

• Building wetlands to capture and clean and filter stormwater.
• Revegetation and tree planting along corridors.
• Citizen science and education programs along creeks and corridors, including bush kinder.
• Bird boxes and waste capture.
• Employment of indigenous rangers.
• Turning urban waterways back into creeks and rivers again through changing hard surfaces back to natural surfaces (cement turned to river banks).

State Member for Newcastle and Chair of the Throsby Creek Government Agencies Committee Tim Crakanthorp welcomed the funding.
“The Committee has worked tirelessly over the past few years to produce a plan to restore Throsby Creek to its natural state. This funding will address some key priority areas as outlined in the plan.
“Throsby Creek is one of Newcastle’s most important natural assets. This funding will improve the community amenity and the health of the river for future generations of Novocastrians to enjoy.”
The Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison Government has consistently failed to provide federal environment programs that adequately address the urgent need for urban river rehabilitation.
Only Labor is serious about protecting the environment and making sure it’s there for future generations to enjoy. We’ll take action on climate change, invest in the environment, and maintain Australia’s status as the “great outdoors”.
These policies and projects will form part of a comprehensive platform for a healthier environment in our cities and across Australia.

A police officer has suffered minor injuries while arresting a man in the Lake Macquarie region.
At around 1.40am this morning (Monday 29 April 2019), officers attended a home on Shelley Street, Toronto, following reports of a domestic violence incident.
Police arrested a 22-year-old man at the scene before it’s alleged he broke free and fled on foot.
A male officer then pursued on foot before attempting to restrain him.
The man managed to break free, before returning to the scene a short time later where he was placed under arrest without incident.
During the earlier altercation, the senior constable suffered a laceration to his right forearm.
He was taken to John Hunter Hospital by road ambulance for treatment and has since been released.
The 22-year-old man was charged with breach AVO, use carriage service to menace/harass/offend and resist arrest.
He was refused bail to appear at Toronto Local Court today (Monday 29 April 2019).

A second man has been charged by Robbery and Serious Crime Squad detectives over an alleged armed robbery near Maitland last year.
Just after 5am on Saturday 22 December 2018, three men – armed with a firearm, samurai sword and baseball bat – forced entry to licenced premises on West Street, Greta, about 20km north west of Maitland.
An employee was allegedly struck with the bat and threatened with the firearm, before the group stole several items, including a mobile phone, laptop and alcohol.
They fled in a utility being driven by a fourth man.
The injured man was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics and taken to Maitland Hospital for treatment of head abrasions, and two broken fingers. He has since been released.
Detectives from the Robbery and Serious Crime Squad established Strike Force Timbrell to investigate the incident.
Following inquiries, a 21-year-old man was charged on Monday 1 April 2019 and remains before the courts.
As a result of further inquiries, a second 21-year-old man, was taken to Lithgow Police Station last Wednesday (24 April 2019), and charged with robbery while armed with dangerous weapon.
The man was refused bail to appear at Lithgow Local Court on the same day, where he was formally refused bail to re-appear at Newcastle Local Court on Monday (29 April 2019).
Investigations under Strike Force Timbrell continue and police are still seeking two men in relation to the incident.

Police are renewing their appeal for assistance in locating a man last seen near Newcastle earlier this year.
Steven Fenwick, aged 33, also known as ‘Feno’, 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 land and sea searches were conducted at the time, with some of his personal items located; these are subject to forensic examination.
Detectives from Newcastle City Police District established Strike Force Kummari to investigate the circumstances surrounding his disappearance.
Police hold grave concerns that Steven could be the victim of foul play and the case is now being investigated as a suspected homicide.
Strike Force Kummari is appealing to anyone who may have information about Steven’s disappearance to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or Newcastle City Police Station directly on (02) 4929 0999.
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.

City of Newcastle lifeguards saved more than 100 lives this surf season as soaring temperatures and dry conditions made for one of the busiest years on record, with more than 1.2 million people flocking to City beaches.
CN’s lifeguards have called on the public to exercise caution this weekend, when heavy seas are expected, and after their patrol season finishes on Sunday.
City lifeguard Daniel Collins was involved in a rescue at Merewether Baths in December
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes praised the lifeguard team for their courage and skill in providing the rate-payer funded service that genuinely saves lives.
“Our lifeguards saved more than 100 people in significant rescues this season and effected 15,000 preventative actions,” the Lord Mayor said.
“Protecting tourists and beachgoers from the dangers of the sea is no easy feat, particularly when they’re keeping watch over 1.2 million visitors.
“I’d like to thank all of our lifeguards for the work they do and alert the public to be careful in their absence at some City beaches from Monday.”
City Lifeguard Daniel Collins recalled an incident late last year when he and quick-thinking colleagues rescued a father and his two children from a rip behind Merewether Baths.
“The lifeguard on duty at Merewether Baths raised the alarm to neighbouring beaches, and called for assistance, before entering the water with a rescue tube,” Mr Collins said.
“I responded on a rescue board from Merewether together with Mel Thurlow from Dixon Park, and the jet ski was dispatched from Nobbys Beach to assist.

 “The quick thinking, communication and actions of all lifeguards involved ensured the three family members were returned to shore safely and reunited with their waiting mother and wife.”

CN lifeguards have also administered 2,800 first aid procedures since September, including 80 major cases such as resuscitations, treatment of broken bones and relieving the effects of marine stingers.
Aquatic Services Co-ordinator Donna McGovern, a former Olympic swimmer, said hotter dryer conditions than usual were behind the higher number of rescues and preventative actions.
“The 2018/19 summer season was arguably the busiest season the Beach lifeguard service has experienced due to hot dry conditions and the increased activation of the coast due to the Bathers Way,” McGovern said.
“Lifeguards are extremely proactive when it comes to taking preventative measures. This can include asking surfers to surf outside the flagged area to urging beach goers to swim between the red and yellow flags instead of near dangerous rips.”
When prevention fails, it can often take just split seconds for swimmers to find trouble and the same time for lifeguards to act.
Nobbys, Bar and Merewether Beaches are patrolled all year round. Dixon Park, Newcastle and Stockton offer seasonal services over 30 weeks, starting in the September school holidays.
While April marks the end of the summer patrol season, lifeguards’ community contributions don’t end.
During winter, they move from the beach to Newcastle schools to help deliver the City’s long-running Water Safety Education Program. More than 100,000 students aged five to 13 years have benefited from the 52-year-old Water Safety Education Program, which has just been nominated as a finalist for a Local Government Excellence Award in the Service Delivery Initiative category. 
For a breakdown of rescue and treatment statistics from the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons, please see the table below.
Statistic                                                                2017-18                                                               2018-19

Attendance	1 million	1.2 million
Rescues	90	100
Preventative Actions	13,000	15,000
Minor first aid	2500	2800
Major first aid	75	80

 

The Liberals have shown we can’t risk another term of them in Government, by approving a destructive uranium mine on the eve of an election being called, and trying to hide it.
“The Liberals are trashing the environment behind voters’ backs. They have tried to hide this destructive uranium mine decision from voters. They do not deserve another term of government,” Greens environment spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.
“Melissa Price as Environment Minister has been an environment wrecker. Days after she signed off on the Adani coal mine, she’s sold out our environment again to her mining mates in WA by approving a uranium mine.
“We need stronger environmental laws enforced by a national Environmental Protection Authority that back nature, our communities and traditional owners who have raised serious concerns and objections to mines such as this. The Western Australian EPA advised against it, yet is powerless to stop it.
“The environment can’t handle another three years of the Liberal Government looking after their mining mates rather than looking after the planet. The Liberals cannot be trusted to put our environment first.
“We need Greens in the Senate to stand up to governments who side with their mining industry mates. We will always fight for restoring and protecting nature over opening up another destructive uranium mine.”