Monthly Archives: May 2016

Officer injured following assault by cyclist – Wallsend

Police have charged a cyclist who will appear in court next month after allegedly assaulting a police officer in Wallsend overnight.

About 2.40am today (Wednesday 11 May 2016) police were patrolling the Wallsend CBD when they noticed a cyclist riding without a helmet.

The officers spoke to the man who allegedly swore at them and rode away.

The man was again sighted on Cowper Street and the officers attempted to stop the man and speak with him.

An altercation ensued and one officer was punched in the face and sustained a dislocated shoulder during the arrest. A second officer suffered hand injuries.

The 25-year-old man suffered some minor facial injuries during the arrest.

The man was arrested and taken to Waratah Police Station where he was charged with assault occasioning grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, common assault, resist arrest and traffic offences.

He was granted conditional bail and will appear in Newcastle Local Court on Thursday 9 June 2016.

The male officers were later treated at John Hunter Hospital for their injuries.

POETRY • PROSE • PLACE WRITING PROGRAM THE PARTICULARS OF PLACE YASS – MAY 15 & Binalong – May 22

The Particulars of Place is the next workshop in the Poetry•Prose•Place writing program facilitated by published poet Lizz Murphy. This half-day workshop is suitable for poetry and short prose writers. It continues an exploration of place writing and includes a look at Ecopoetry. There will be exercises to encourage lots of writing, making your writing rich and textured through particulars/details and generally improving your writing skills. Aspiring, new and developing writers all welcome.
The Particulars of Place will be held in the Yass Community Centre (next to the Men’s Shed), Yass Valley Way on Sunday 1.00 pm to 4.00 pm May 15 and repeated at the Black Swan Gallery, Burley Griffin Way (Stephens Street), Binalong on Sunday May 22, 1.00 pm to 4.00 pm. Cost: $10 or $5 pensioner concession.
BOOKINGS

Please contact Lizz Murphy on lizzmurphy7@gmail.com or 0428 005641 for more information and to enrol. (Pay on the day.)
Lizz Murphy has published twelve books, is published internationally and is a popular workshop facilitator with over twenty years experience.
Poetry•Prose•Place is a Binalong Arts Group (BAG) Inc program supported by Arts NSW’s Country Arts Support Program, a devolved funding program administered by Regional Arts NSW and local Regional Arts Boards on behalf of the NSW Government.

Man dies in four-vehicle crash north of Newcastle

A man has died and a woman was injured after a four-vehicle crash north of Newcastle this morning.

The crash happened on the New England Highway at Beresfield when a Mitsubishi rigid truck, a Hilux utility, a Holden Captiva and a Rav4 were involved in a collision about 8.45am (Tuesday 10 May 2016).

The driver of the utility, a 30-year-old man from Ettalong, sustained multiple injuries and died at the scene.

The driver of the Rav4, a 55-year-old woman from Thornton, was trapped within the wreckage of her vehicle before being released and taken to John hunter Hospital with suspected back injuries.

The driver of the truck, a 55-year-old man from Butterwick, and the driver of the Captiva, a 49-year-old woman from Metford, were uninjured.

Traffic on the New England Highway was disrupted for more than six hours.

Metropolitan Crash Investigation Unit is continuing this inquiries and are asking anyone with information to contact them via Crime Stoppers.

Operation StateTrans

Traffic and Highway Patrol Command Officers working alongside Roads and Maritime Services officers have intercepted 13806 trucks and trailers in the first week of Operation StateTrans.

As a result, 1609 defects have been applied to trucks and trailers for issues such as braking, fuel and oil leaks, steering, and other mechanical issues.

Officers have also issued 888 infringements and 317 breaches for a range of licence, registration, fatigue, loading, and other offences.

Inspectors have downloaded 321 Engine Control Modules so far during the operation, with 66 found to be non-compliant or tampered with, allowing speeds of over 100km/h on NSW roads. In addition, out of 756 random drug tests, 12 drivers tested positive and were given 24-hour prohibition notices from driving, and are pending further Court action.

Assistant Commissioner John Hartley said the key for the officers was identifying unsafe trucks and prosecuting non-compliant drivers and operators before a fatal or serious injury crash occurs on NSW roads.

“While the police and the RMS have jointly inspected over 13,000 trucks in a single week, the industry, and the road users of NSW should take some comfort that the ‘bottom 10%’ have been identified and taken off our roads.

“We know that it is only a small number of drivers, operators, and companies that continually do the wrong thing in an attempt to gain some sort of commercial advantage, which is why our joint work is important in both ensuring, and enforcing, heavy vehicle compliance on our roads,” Assistant Commissioner Hartley said.

Roads and Maritime General Manager Compliance Operations Paul Endycott said more than 300 heavy vehicle inspectors and investigators are working alongside NSW police for the month long operation across the state.

“Working in partnership with NSW Police in compliance operations like StateTrans, Roads and Maritime is able to target truck operators and companies who are sending drivers out on the road without the relevant checks and balances.

“It is crucial heavy vehicles operating across the network are compliant with road transport laws for the safety for all road users. Carrying out these large compliance operations means drivers will be encouraged to stick to safer road transport practices reducing the risk to motorists.
StateTrans, a joint initiative between Australian Police and Road Agencies continues throughout the month of May.

Man charged after alleged indecent assault of child on bus – Charlestown

A man has been charged after allegedly indecently assaulting a young girl on a bus near Charlestown earlier this week.

About 3.45pm on Wednesday (4 May 2016), a man got on a bus at Frederick Street, Charlestown and sat down next to a 6-year-old girl.

He allegedly spoke to the girl before indecently assaulting her. He got off the bus a short time later at Gateshead.

The girl continued on her journey and reported the matter to her mother, who in turn contacted police.

About 10.20am today (Saturday 7 May 2016), following investigations, officers from Lake Macquarie Local Area Command arrested a 48-year-old man in Charlestown.

He was taken to Belmont Police Station where he was charged with aggravated indecent assault.

He was granted strict conditional bail to appear at Belmont Local Court on 22 June 2016.

Joint operation targets OMCG clubhouse – Albury

A joint police operation targeting outlaw motorcycle gang activity in southern NSW has seen police seize drugs and close down a club house linked to the Black Uhlans.

Albury Local Area Command and the Gangs Squad’s Strike Force Raptor, assisted by Police Rescue, the Dog Unit and Traffic & Highway Patrol Command conducted the operation yesterday in South Albury.

About 6pm (Friday 6 May 2016), a property linked to the Black Uhlan OMCG was searched by virtue of a warrant under the Restricted Premises Act and contravening the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act.

Twenty club members were present at the time of executing the warrant.

All twenty were searched and four issued with Field Court Attendance Notices for drug and liquor offences and will appear before court at a later date.

Officers allegedly located a small amount of amphetamine on a 55-year-old club associate and a 31-year-old club member.

A 55-year-old man was issued with a Field Court Attendance Notice for two counts of possess prohibited drug (amphetamine and cannabis).

A 23-year-old man was issued with a Field Court Attendance Notice for sell liquor without required responsible service of alcohol qualification.

Police will allege over 550 containers of alcohol along with ledgers, associated documents and cash were seized in the unlicensed premises; which was subsequently closed down.

Several vehicles leaving the clubhouse were also stopped by Traffic & Highway Patrol officers who issued six major defects and 10 DECC notices for excessive exhaust noise.

Albury Local Area Commander, Superintendent Evan Quarmby, said local police would continue to utilise all resources at their disposal to disrupt OMCG criminal activity in the area.

“Any OMCG member who breaks the law can expect to come to the full attention of police,” he said.

“The public should not have to put up with their criminal behaviour and we certainly won’t tolerate it.

“I would urge any person who has information about the criminal activities of OMCGs to come forward. All information can also be given in strict confidence.” said Supt Quarmby

Police inform protestors about dangerous behaviour – Newcastle

Protestors are being informed that unlawful or dangerous behaviour will not be tolerated during planned demonstrations this weekend.

Police are aware that a group is planning a protest on land and water at Newcastle in the lead up to and on Sunday 8 May 2016.

Officers from Newcastle City Local Area Command and the Marine Area Command have been liaising with relevant agencies about the protest.

Newcastle Local Area Commander Superintendent John Gralton said police have received formal notification of the group’s intent to hold the protest.

“We have commenced planning a police operation to ensure the demonstration is carried out lawfully and peacefully.”

“Police will be focussed on working to minimise the impact of any possible demonstration on the wider community.

“We recognise and support the rights of individuals and groups to exercise their rights of free speech and peaceful assembly in a safe environment. We also have to ensure members of the public can go about their normal everyday activities without unnecessary impact,” Supt Gralton said.

Supt Gralton added that police will not tolerate unlawful behaviour or any action that risks the safety of others.

“This includes protestors who endanger their own safety. Anyone who breaks the law will be dealt with accordingly,” Supt Gralton said.

The police operation will include officers from the Newcastle Local Area Command, Marine Area Command, Operations Support Group, Airwing and Police Rescue.

Inquiries continue after attempted robbery – Wagga Wagga

Inquiries are continuing after an attempted robbery at a Wagga Wagga service station overnight (Wednesday 4 May 2016).

About 7.45pm two offenders, armed with knives, entered the Tobruk Street Ashmont premises and threatened the attendant.

The male employee was assaulted by one of the offenders but was able to fight them off.

The pair, who had concealed their faces during the incident, left the store empty handed.

The employee, who was not injured during the robbery, was able to raise the alarm.

A crime scene was established and this will be examined by specialist personnel later today.

Man charged with multiple break-in offences – Maitland

A man will appear in court tomorrow after police charged him with numerous break and enter offences, escaping police custody and breach of bail.

Police from Central Hunter Local Area Command have been investigating a number of break-ins at commercial premises within the Maitland CBD over the last week.

Investigators have been following several lines of inquiry into the incidents.

Earlier today (Wednesday 4 May 2016), a 29-year-old man was arrested in Maitland CBD by investigators from Central Hunter Local Area Command.

The man was handcuffed but allegedly ran from police; however, he was recaptured after a short foot pursuit.

He was taken to Maitland Police Station and later charged with 13 counts of break and enter, escape police custody and breach of bail.

The man was refused bail and is to appear at Maitland Local Court tomorrow (Thursday 5 May 2016).