Monthly Archives: May 2015

CCTV images released following hotel break-in – Tamworth

Police have released images of two people they wish to speak to following a break-in at a hotel in Tamworth yesterday morning.

About 3.45am (Tuesday 26 May 2015), two men were disturbed by staff after breaking into the hotel on Ringers Road.

The two men entered the adjacent bottle shop a number of times, stealing several bottles of spirits.

A staff member attempted to stop the men and became involved in a struggle.

The men managed to get away from the staff member and escaped by breaking a window.

The staff member suffered bruising and a laceration to his hand during the struggle. His injuries are not considered life threatening.

Detectives from Oxley Local Area Command were called to the scene and established a crime scene.

Following investigations, police have released closed-circuit television images of two people they believe might be able to assist with inquiries.

The first man depicted in the images is described as being of Caucasian appearance with a thin build and blonde hair. He is shown wearing a green hooded top, black pants and white shoes.

The second man is also described as being of Caucasian appearance with a medium build. He is shown seen wearing a green top with a dark coloured hood, black pants and white shoes.

COLD CHISEL ANNOUNCE THEIR ‘ONE NIGHT STAND’ NATIONAL TOUR

Tonight, ahead of State Of Origin 1, and in front of an audience of 80,000 live spectators, more than 2.5 million TV viewers and many millions more online, the legendary Cold Chisel announced their One Night Stand tour of Australia.  It will be a tour unlike any the band has previously undertaken and will include a number of unique performances and ‘firsts’ for an Australian band.

The band revealed tonight that they will ‘kick-off’ the tour with a special mini-concert at the NRL Grand Final at ANZ Stadium on Sunday, 4 October, where they will be the only artist performing. That same weekend they will play a full headline set at the 2015 Deni Ute Muster on Friday, 2 October. From there, Cold Chisel will traverse the nation (full details below), headlining festivals like The V8 Supercars Castrol Gold Coast 600 and the Decades Festival in Strathpine, Qld, playing arenas and a number of special performances – including being the first Australian band to headline the mythical Hanging Rock in Victoria and also Hope Estate in the New South Wales Hunter Valley. There are also big shows in new venues for the band, like 1300SMILES Stadium, Townsville (Saturday, 7 November) and Perth Arena (Saturday, 14 November) which wasn’t completed when the band last played Perth in 2012. Cold Chisel is excited to confirm that The Living End will be joining them at the Decades Festival, Hope Estate and Hanging Rock.

Frontman Jimmy Barnes revealed tonight that the band felt compelled to undertake the tour as a direct response of the incredible reaction they received when they recently announced two special shows under the banner of ‘The Last Stand of Sydney’s entertainment centre’ to mark the closing of the Qantas Credit Union Arena (formerly known as the Entertainment Centre). Promising a show that referenced their classic 1983 Last Stand tour, which finished at the iconic venue, these two new shows captured the fascination of music fans around the country with all 20,000 tickets selling out within minutes – and with interstate fans screaming to be included.

“In March we played a homecoming show in Adelaide to 35,000 people,” said Barnes. “Then when we announced these two shows in Sydney the reaction was ballistic. The demand blew our minds, suggesting that it was time for us to get back out there.” The band then hatched the idea of One Night Stand, with each venue being a definite ‘for one night only’ experience – with the exception of Sydney where the tour concludes with the two already sold-out shows at QCUA.

Of course Barnes and his band mates Ian Moss (guitar/vocals), Don Walker (piano/keyboards), Phil Small (bass) and drummer Charley Drayton shouldn’t have been surprised by the excitement: With a history that spans forty years and a reputation forged through blistering live shows and a catalogue of much-loved songs and albums, Cold Chisel has become a part of the nation’s psyche. Their story is colourful, volatile and proud and their music continues to be ingrained in the hearts of generations of Australians. They’ve sold almost 7 million albums across bona-fide Australian classics like East, Breakfast at Sweethearts and Circus Animals, while songs like Cheap Wine, Choir Girl, When The War Is Over, Flame Trees, Bow River, Saturday Night and Khe Sanh remain the staple of radio playlists, pubs, jukeboxes, concert halls and karaoke bars across every part of the country.

Their reunion in 2009, for a one-off performance at Sydney’s Olympic Stadium, saw the band play in front of 50,000 people – the biggest crowd of their career. This sparked a renewed enthusiasm for working together again – onstage and in the studio. In 2011 they undertook the Light The Nitro tour, one of the biggest tours ever by an Australian band with over 285,000 tickets sold. And in 2012 they released the critically hailed and Gold-selling No Plans album, which debuted at #1 on the ARIA Australian Album chart.

After a three year break, 2015 feels like the right time to get back in the saddle.

“We love playing together,” said guitarist Ian Moss. “We’ve come to realise that there’s a certain magic and chemistry in Cold Chisel that we don’t get anywhere else and it makes a special connection with Australian audiences. We can’t wait to make that connection once again on our One Night Stand tour. See you there!”

Man charged with murder following death of man near Wagga Wagga – Strike Force Cliffbrooke

A man has been charged following the death of another man at Springvale near Wagga Wagga earlier today.

About 12.20pm (Tuesday 26 May 2015), emergency services were called to a home on Springvale Drive after reports a man had been injured at the property.

Officers attached to Wagga Wagga Local Area Command arrived to find the body of an 83-year-old man who appeared to have suffered severe head injuries.

A crime scene was established at the home, which was examined by forensic specialists and detectives.

Following further inquiries a 48-year-old man was arrested at Cootamundra Railway Station shortly before 3pm, with assistance from Cootamundra Police.

After being taken to Cootamundra Police Station, officers attached to Strike Force Cliffbrooke continued with their inquiries into the incident. The two men were known to each other.

The man was later charged with murder.

He has been refused bail to appear at Wagga Wagga Local Court tomorrow (Wednesday 27 May 2015).

Teen charged over spate of alleged break and enter, larceny offences in Maitland area

Officers from Central Hunter Local Area Command have charged a teenager over more than 20 break-ins and larceny-related offences allegedly committed over the past four years.

Police will allege a 17-year-old male was involved in 23 incidents, including numerous break-ins at both residential and commercial properties, between Saturday 5 March 2011 and Sunday 10 May this year.

The break-ins allegedly occurred at a number of different premises in High Street Maitland; as well as Rutherford, Beresfield, Woodberry and Metford.

Following ongoing investigations by Central Hunter police – with assistance from forensic specialists, intelligence analysts and officers from the Target Action Group – a search warrant was executed at a home on New England Highway at Rutherford on Wednesday (20 May 2015) last week.

A 17-year-old male was arrested at the home and taken to Maitland Police Station, where he was later charged with two counts of break, enter and steal as well as receiving stolen property.

He was granted conditional bail to appear before Children’s Court on Friday 12 June 2015.

After further inquiries, the 17-year-old male was arrested at the Rutherford property shortly before 9am today (Tuesday 26 May 2015).

He was taken to Maitland Police Station and charged with the following additional offences:

• Be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner;

• Larceny (two counts);

• Break, enter and steal (13 counts);

• Break and enter with intent to steal (three counts); and,

• Break, enter and destroy property (two counts).

The male has been refused bail and is now due to appear Children’s Court tomorrow (Wednesday 27 May 2015).

Man arrested at railway station following death of man near Wagga Wagga – Strike Force Cliffbrooke

A man has been arrested following the death of a man at Springvale near Wagga Wagga earlier today.

About 12.20pm (Tuesday 26 May 2015), emergency services were called to a home on Springvale Drive after reports a man had been injured at the property.

Officers attached to Wagga Wagga Local Area Command arrived to find the body of an 83-year-old man who appeared to have suffered severe head injuries.

A crime scene was established at the home, which is being examined by forensic specialists and detectives.

A section of Springvale Road, between Plumpton Road and Featherwood Road is currently closed, while emergency services continue their inquiries at the scene.

Local residents are therefore advised to avoid the area for the time being.

Following further inquiries a 48-year-old man was arrested at Cootamundra Railway Station shortly before 3pm, with assistance from Cootamundra Police.

He’s been taken to Cootamundra Police Station where he continues to assist detectives with their inquiries.

Investigators believe the two men were known to each other.

Strike Force Cliffbrooke, comprising officers from Wagga Wagga Local Area Command, has now been formed to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the incident.

While the investigation remains in its early stages; the death is being treated as suspicious.

Police appeal following man’s death near Wagga Wagga

Police have launched an investigation following the death of a man at Springvale near Wagga Wagga.

About 12.20pm (Tuesday 26 May 2015), emergency services were called to a home on Springvale Drive after reports a man had been injured at the property.

Officers attached to Wagga Wagga Local Area Command arrived to find the body of an 83-year-old man who appeared to have suffered severe head injuries.

A crime scene has been established at the home, which will be examined by forensic specialists and detectives.

A section of Springvale Road, between Plumpton Road and Featherwood Road, is currently closed while emergency services continue their inquiries at the scene.

Local residents are therefore advised to avoid the area for the time being.

Detectives would now like to speak with a man who may be able to assist in the investigation.

The man is described as being of Caucasian appearance, aged in his late 40s, about 178cm tall, with short grey hair and a receding hairline.

He was last seen wearing blue jeans, a brown-coloured woollen jumper, striped grey t-shirt, and glasses.

Anyone who sees the man is urged not to approach him, but contact Triple Zero (000) immediately.

While the investigation remains in its early stages; the death is being treated as suspicious.

Utility sought as police investigate aggravated break and enter – Hunter region

 

A police strike force investigating an aggravated break and enter upon a shopping centre in the state’s Hunter region in March have released an image of a utility linked to the incident.

Strike Force Kirk, comprising detectives from the Property Crime Squad and Newcastle City Local Area Command, was established to investigate the incident which occurred at a shopping centre in Elermore Vale.

Police were told that in the early hours of Sunday 15 March 2015, two people forced entry to the shopping centre and stole an amount of cash.

Strike force detectives are appealing for information from the public. In particular, they would like to locate a utility believed to been travelling in the Elermore Vale, Jewells and Redhead areas in the early hours of that morning.

It is described as a white-coloured late model Toyota Hilux single cab utility with damage to the front near side quarter panel area.

Detectives would like to speak to anyone who knows the whereabouts of the vehicle or who has information about the aggravated break and enter.

Man arrested following barricade situation – Bondi

A man has been arrested following a barricade situation with officers from Eastern Suburbs Local Area Command tonight.

Police attended a unit on Ramsgate Avenue, Bondi, about 4.40pm (Monday 25 May 2015) to arrest a man wanted on a warrant.

The man refused entry to police and barricaded himself inside the unit.

Police negotiators were called and assisted with the peaceful arrest of the 28-year-old man shortly after 9pm.

He was taken to hospital for assessment and remains under police guard.

Guns, drugs seized at Armidale

A man is due to appear in court today charged with multiple firearm and drug offences after a search warrant was executed at a home in Armidale.

Police from New England Local Area Command seized a revolver, an air pistol, four slingshots, ammunition and firearm parts as well as methylamphetamine and cannabis from the home in Canambe Street on Friday (22 May 2015).

A 36-year-old man was arrested at the scene and was taken to Armidale Police Station where he was charged with

• Supply prohibited drug

• Possess prohibited drug

• Possess unauthorised firearm (two counts)

• Possess ammunition (two counts)

• Acquire firearm parts, and,

• Possess prohibited weapon (four counts).

Officers also seized men’s and women’s jewellery, laptops, mobile phones and cash which police suspect may be stolen. Inquiries are continuing into the ownership of these items.

The man appeared in Armidale Local Court on Saturday (23 May) and was refused bail to appear in the same court later today (Monday 25 May 2015).

Subsidies to attract doctors to tiny towns nearly double

Small rural towns will attract subsidies of up to $60,000 to attract and keep doctors in a massive win from News Corp Australia’s Health the Bush campaign.

In a Robin Hood style overhaul of the botched $113 million General Practice Rural Incentive Payment Scheme, doctors in 14 large towns like Cairns will be stripped of subsidies.

The money saved from enticing doctors to large coastal towns will instead be put towards much larger subsidies to attract doctors to tiny towns like Gundagai, Kingaroy, Echuca and Northam.

Under a revamp of the scheme to be announced by Assistant Minister for Health Fiona Nash on Sunday, subsidies for towns with a population of less than 5,000 will jump by between $4,000 and $13,000 a year.

Doctors in the tiny town of Gundagai NSW will see their subsidies nearly double from $12,000 to $23,000 after they serve for five years.

Doctors in the tiny town of Rutherglen Victoria will see their subsidies nearly double from $12,000 to $23,000 after they serve for five years.