A MAN has been caught speeding at 196km/h on the Hume Highway.
Police detected the man, a foreign national holding an international drivers licence, travelling along the 110km/h zone stretch at 4pm Tuesday, about 10 kilometres south of Holbrook.
The driver informed police he was “taking my mum to Melbourne”. Police confiscated the number plates from the vehicle and suspended the man from driving in NSW.
He will face court for a charge of driving in a speed/manner dangerous.
Harden mayor John Horton has scotched rumours his council’s submission to merge with Cootamundra and Gundagai under the NSW Government’s Fit for the Future NSW local government reform proposition has been withdrawn.
Mr Horton told The Young Witness yesterday the council had been advised by the NSW Government to put forward an alternative proposal for the merger of Cootamundra-Gundagai-Harden and that submission had been lodged by the new April deadline.
“It hasn’t been withdrawn, that sounds like Gundagai’s talk,” he said.
Mr Horton said the Harden community had always been unanimous in their support for a merger with Cootamundra Shire Council.
“Gundagai wants to stand alone but if we are forced to go with Gundagai we will make it work,” he said.
The rumour reached Young Shire Council’s monthly meeting last week, with general manager David Aber saying the local government minister wouldn’t take the news too lightly if it was true.
“I think it’s it is very poor play,” he said at the meeting.
Mayor Brian Ingram agreed it “wasn’t a good look”.
Of the alternative proposed merger with Young and Boorowa, Mr Horton said he didn’t have a problem with Young per se.
“I guess the only thing I don’t like is your reverse-in parking,” he said.
He speculated the community sentiment against Young could be put down to years of rivalry.
“But from a business perspective we have a lot more in common with Cootamundra,” he said.
Mr Horton said the two councils had worked hand-in-hand for years and had a good affinity with each other.
“It’s like a marriage – if you have a lot in common with someone and you like each other it has a better chance of working than, say, a shotgun marriage which might not stand the test of time,” he said.
Police are investigating a crash in Goulburn yesterday that left a man in a critical condition.
About 4pm (Friday 29 April 2016), emergency services were called to Hume Street, following reports of a crash.
Initial investigation suggest a VW Caddy travelling north on Hume Street, crashed into the rear and an Iveco flatbed tow truck, which had slowed to make a turn.
The driver of the VW, a 21-year-old man, was treated at the scene by Ambulance Paramedics before being taken to Goulburn Hospital with critical injuries.
He was later transferred by helicopter to Canberra Hospital, where he remains in a critical condition.
The driver of the Iveco, a 30-year-old man, was uninjured and was taken to Goulburn Base Hospital for mandatory blood and urine testing.
A crime scene was established and examined by specialist officers and investigations are continuing.
Police are appealing for public assistance after shots were fired at a house in Ganmain, 45km north-west of Wagga Wagga, today.
About 5am (Friday 29 April 2016), the residents of a home on Ford Street, Ganmain discovered two bullet holes in a wall and a fly screen of the property. It is believed the shots were fired overnight.
A man and woman, as well as their four children were at home at the time, but were uninjured.
Police from Wagga Wagga Local Area Command attended and established a crime scene, which was examined by forensic specialists.
Police are appealing for anyone with information on the incident to come forward.
A probationary member of the Rural Fire Service has been charged after allegedly starting bushfires in the state’s Hunter Region.
Strike Force Billett was established by the Property Crime Squad’s Arson Unit to investigate more than 100 bushfires in the Cessnock area between August 2015 and April 2016.
As a result of their inquiries, a 20-year-old man was arrested at a fire at Lochinvar about 2pm yesterday (Thursday 28 April 2016).
Following a search of the man’s vehicle, investigators also located and seized accelerants and a number of mobile phones.
The man, who is a probationary member of the Rural Fire Service, was taken to Maitland Police Station and charged with five counts of cause fire and be reckless to its spread, and trespass.
He has been refused bail to appear at Maitland Local Court today (Friday 29 April 2016).
One hundred and nine (109) new police recruits will take their oath of office at an attestation ceremony in Goulburn today (Friday 29 April 2016).
Today’s ceremony will be hosted by NSW Police Force Commissioner Andrew Scipione APM. He will be joined by Reviewing Officer – His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Ret’d), Governor of New South Wales – and special guest, Deputy Premier and Minister for Justice and Police, Troy Grant.
The new probationary constables from Class 327 come from diverse backgrounds.
Several of the recruits are from a non-English speaking background, while a number were born overseas in countries including South Korea, Wales, Belgium, Brazil, Lebanon and India.
Six of the probationary constables identify as being from an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background.
The youngest probationary constable from this attesting class is 20 years old, while the oldest is aged 51.
For some, it is their first career; others left established professional careers and trades to join the NSW Police Force.
Commissioner Scipione will officially welcome the 80 new policemen and 29 policewomen at today’s attestation ceremony.
“As I look to the future of policing in NSW, I am confident the officers joining our ranks today will bring the vigour, enthusiasm and diversity,” Commissioner Scipione said.
“In return for their dedicated and ethical service, these new officers can expect experiences and memories that make policing more than just a career.
“To all the students attesting today, I extend my best wishes for their policing futures,” Commissioner Scipione said.
The probationary constables from Class 327 will begin work in their local area commands from next Monday (2 May 2016).
They will then complete 12 months’ on-the-job training and study by distance education with Charles Sturt University before they officially graduate with an Associate Degree in Policing Practice, and be confirmed in the rank of constable.
FACTS AND FIGURES ABOUT CLASS 327
1 is aged 18-20
47 are aged 21-25
27 are aged 26-30
13 are aged 31-35
9 are aged 36-40
A man has been charged over an alleged assault at Warners Bay.
Emergency services were called to John Street about 8pm (Monday 25 April 2016), where they found a man unconscious.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Local Area Command attended and were told the 46-year-old man was assaulted after leaving a nearby hotel.
He was taken to John Hunter Hospital where he remains with serious head injuries.
Following inquiries, a 36-year-old man was arrested at a home in Belmont this afternoon (Thursday 28 April 2016).
The man was taken to Belmont Police Station where he was charged with recklessly cause grievous bodily harm.
He was given conditional bail to appear at Belmont Local Court on 25 May 2016.
A teenager has died after being struck by a car at Warners Bay earlier this week.
The 15-year-old girl was crossing Hillsborough Road just before 5pm on Tuesday (26 April 2016), when she was hit by a Ford Laser.
The girl was taken to John Hunter Hospital where she died this afternoon (Thursday 28 April 2016).
The driver of the car, a 22-year-old woman, wasn’t injured.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Local Area Command continue to investigate the incident and will prepare a report for the Coroner.
Police have conducted a three day shoplifting operation in Newcastle which has resulted in over 20 people allegedly being detected for the offence.
On Thursday 21 April, Tuesday 26 April, and Wednesday 27 April 2016, police conducted the operation at a shopping centre in Kotara, as well as two supermarkets in Waratah, after businesses reported consistent high volume losses as a result of shoplifting.
The operation involved police from Newcastle City Local Area Command, as well as store Loss Prevention Officers.
As a result of the operation police charged three people for shoplifting, and issued nine Criminal Infringement Notices (CINs) for shoplifting.
Police also dealt with six juveniles under the Young Offenders Act for shoplifting offences, and issued three on the spot cautions for minor theft.
Police from Newcastle City Local Area Command will continue to work with local businesses to reduce the instances of shoplifting and detect and prosecute those committing the offence.
Investigations continue after a teenage girl was hit by a car in Warners Bay yesterday.
Just before 5pm (Tuesday 26 April 2016), a 22-year-old woman was driving a Ford Laser west along Hillsborough Road.
At the same time, a 15-year old girl was crossing the road when she was hit by the car.
The teenager was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance Paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital, where she remains in a critical condition.
The driver was uninjured during the incident.
Officers attached to Lake Macquarie Local Area Command attended and commenced investigating the incident.
As inquiries continue, police are urging witnesses to come forward and contact Crime Stoppers.