A man has been charged with kidnapping and affray as investigations continue into the death of one man and the serious injury of another in Newcastle last week.
About 3.30am on Friday (8 March 2019), officers from Newcastle City Police District were called to Donald Street, Hamilton, following reports of men fighting in the street.
When police arrived they were told the men had left.
A short time later, officers were called to a home unit on Cody Street, Hamilton South, where they found the body of a 51-year-old man, and a 23-year-old man unconscious, suffering head injuries.
The injured man was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital, where he remains in a serious but stable condition.
A 25-year-old man, who was also in the unit, was taken to Newcastle Police Station but released pending further inquiries.
Crime scenes were established at the scene of the street fight and the home unit, with Strike Force Delline created to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Following extensive investigations, detectives yesterday (Sunday 10 March 2019), charged the 25-year-old man with aggravated take/detain person in company with the intention to obtain advantage. affray, and reckless grievous bodily harm.
The man, from Hamilton South, was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Monday 11 March 2019).
Inquiries continue.
Category: Newcastle News
All the news happening in the Newcastle and Hunter Region
$780 MILLION TO REDEVELOP JOHN HUNTER HOSPITAL
The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government will deliver a major redevelopment of John Hunter Hospital, enhancing comprehensive healthcare in Newcastle, including the latest in emergency medicine, cancer care and surgical services on a new site.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the $780 million investment would bring total health infrastructure investment in the region to more than $1 billion, and was made possible by the strong economic management of the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government.
“This investment by the NSW Liberals & Nationals will ensure people in the Hunter have the best available healthcare close to home, and that the Hunter can attract the best clinicians,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“This redevelopment will deliver better surgical and critical care services, an expanded emergency department, better diagnostic and support facilities, and a jobs boom for the Hunter.
“The precinct will create more than 7800 jobs, attract associated businesses, industries and research, and offer students pathways to jobs.”
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said work on the planned redevelopment will commence in the next term of government, and is part of more than $8 billion dollars in health infrastructure being invested over the next years.
“Since coming to office, the NSW Liberals & Nationals have delivered more than 100 new and upgraded hospitals and health facilities, with more than half of those in regional areas,” Mr Hazzard said.
“We recently completed work at John Hunter Children’s Hospital paediatric and neonatal intensive care units, boosting the hospital’s ability to care for the sickest babies.
“Coupled with our $470 million investment at Maitland to build a new hospital 70 per cent larger than the current one, and our commitment to expand Manning Hospital, the Liberals & Nationals will invest more than $1 billion dollars in health infrastructure in the region,” Mr Hazzard said.
In addition to record infrastructure investment, the Government will add 8300 frontline staff, including 5000 nurses and midwives in a $2.8 billion workforce boost. This will include at least 979 staff in the Hunter New England Local Health District: 613 nurses and midwives, 113 doctors, 105 allied health staff and 148 hospital support workers.
Man dies – Pinny Beach
A man has died in a suspected drowning in the Lake Macquarie region.
Just after 10am today (Sunday 10 March 2019), emergency services were called to Pinny Beach after an 18-year-old man, who had been bodyboarding, was pulled from the water unconscious.
Despite efforts to revive him the man died at the scene.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District are speaking to witnesses and will prepare a report for the Coroner.
Attempted murder charge after alleged aggravated break-in – Windale
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.
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.