Vandals to pay $28,000 for lewd act and damage to Dorrigo War Memorial in Australia
Photo:
ABC / Supplied / Bellingen Shire Council
A couple has been convicted of vandalising a 103-year-old war memorial in northern New South Wales in the days leading up to Anzac Day commemorations.
Joshua Claridge, 28, and Toni Cardow, 24, from the state's Central West were on holiday visiting family in Dorrigo when they damaged the town's marble soldier statue after an evening drinking at a pub on 19 April.
The couple surrendered to Orange police station on 24 April.
In Coffs Harbour local court on Wednesday, Magistrate Jeff Linden said the defendants were charged for "effectively desecrating a war memorial."
One stone rifle piece was found in a Dorrigo hotel and the other was returned in the post.
Photo:
ABC / Supplied / Phillip Corlis
In statements to police, Claridge said he climbed onto the statue and "took hold of the rifle to pull himself up", causing a portion of the stone barrel to break off.
Magistrate Linden said Cardow's actions were also serious.
"Ms Cardow thought it was very funny to have a rifle part [from the cenotaph] shoved down her pants and jokingly indicated it was a penis," he said.
"In my view, a specific deterrence is needed."
Court documents said the pair told police they intended to return the stone rifle barrel to the monument, but "there were too many people around to do so discreetly"/
Instead, they posted it to the Dorrigo RSL Club the following day.
Court documents also revealed a worker at the pub found a second piece of marble in the hotel the following morning and took it to Dorrigo RSL Club.
Defence solicitor Carlo Bianchino told the court the pair had "extreme remorse for what happened", demonstrated by Claridge's negotiations with Bellingen Shire Council to pay the insurance excess of $A25,000 ($NZ27,400) for the damage.
He told the court Cardow felt she had been "villainised" on social media following the incident.
"[She] hopes the community of Dorrigo can forgive them for their grave mistakes," Bianchino said.
The defence asked the magistrate to record no conviction and instead order a compensation payment.
But the magistrate convicted Claridge of intentionally or recklessly destroying or damaging property and wilfully damaging a war memorial.
Cardow was convicted of committing an offensive act on a war memorial.
The magistrate sentenced Claridge to a 12-month community corrections order, issuing a fine of $400 and ordering him to pay $25,000 to Bellingen Shire Council in compensation.
Cardow was fined $750.
The defendants leave court.
Photo:
ABC / Claire Simmonds
Dorrigo RSL sub-branch secretary Phillip Corlis said he expected the cost of the statue's repair to increase, as two more pieces had since fallen from the damaged cenotaph.
Corlis said the vandalism occurred just six days before Anzac Day, and the community had to gather around a broken stone statue for the service.
"It was heart-wrenching," he said.
Corlis said he was disappointed the pair were not ordered to issue a public apology.
"I think they should apologise to the community and to the sub-branch," he said.
"Desecration of a memorial is shocking, absolutely shocking - why would you do something like that?"
Bellingen Shire Council, which owns the monument, said in a statement it was "committed to returning the memorial to its rightful condition as soon as possible".
-ABC
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RNZ News
9 hours ago
- RNZ News
Watch: Russia lifts lid on secretive drone factory as satellite images reveal rapid expansion
By Clare Sebastian, Vasco Cotovio, Allegra Goodwin, Daria Tarasova-Markina , CNN "You know, everything you tell us will be used against you," the interviewer on Russian TV warns Timur Shagivaleev, the man behind one of the country's biggest drone factories. Rather than shy away from discussing details of the plant, Shagivaleev replies with a defiant quote that he attributed to a Soviet World War II hero: "You don't have the right to be afraid." Standing at the Alabuga factory amid rows of the distinctive black, triangular Iranian-designed attack drones (known as "Geran" in Russian), he has every reason to feel emboldened. Satellite imagery shows that construction has sharply accelerated at the site in southern Russia. Dozens of new buildings, including what experts believe to be new dormitories and production facilities, have been rapidly taking shape since the winter snow melted this year. This is believed to be Russia's main attack drone factory, a key part of the Kremlin's escalating drone offensive on Ukrainian cities. To fuel this effort, there's also now evidence that the site is drafting teenagers, not only into drone assembly at Alabuga but also into construction work. Moscow has now chosen to publicise the factory and its contribution to Russia's war effort. Shagivaleev, Alabuga's director general, appeared on the docuseries "Military Acceptance," which aired on the Russian Defence Ministry TV channel Zvezda on 20 July. This was the first official glimpse inside the production facility. The program suggests that Alabuga, which has been churning out Iranian-designed Shahed drones for almost three years, has now fully shifted from being an Iranian franchise to a fully localised production line. A screengrab from the Zvezda documentary, showing inside the drone factory at Alabuga Photo: Zvezda / AFP The expansion is happening so quickly that experts say the site's end goal may be to mass-produce drones for global export. David Albright, a former UN weapons inspector, is head of the Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS), a US-based think tank that has been tracking Alabuga's expansion since 2022. He told CNN that Moscow's decision to lift the lid on the factory shows "the Russian authorities are feeling more confident about their ability to make drones." "I think it represents that Russia's government is committed to increases in production there, (and) long-term contracts… (that say) we'll buy whatever you produce," he said. Alabuga began producing Shahed drones in 2023, and it now also churns out cheaper versions designed to act as decoys (known as "Gerbera"). The site was already expanding as Russian drone attacks on Ukraine started to ramp up last August. Yet recent satellite images reveal even faster growth over the past few months, as drone strikes on Ukraine have hit record numbers. Photo: Zvezda / AFP Between late 2024 and mid-July this year, satellite imagery shows at least eight new warehouse-like structures at Alabuga, close to the buildings previously identified as Shahed manufacturing facilities. Several are still under construction. Even more strikingly, a CNN analysis of the images and ISIS experts have both identified what appears to be a major expansion in housing for workers at the site. A 12 July image shows at least 104 identical rectangular buildings either fully or partially built, with a similar footprint to existing structures known to be worker dormitories. In images from February, there were only 15 such buildings. The work on the new buildings appears to have begun in earnest in March, as the spring arrived and the snow disappeared. 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Alabuga's current production numbers remain a closely held secret. "At one time there was a plan to produce several thousand 'Gerans,'" Shagivaleev said in the Zvezda interview, without specifying the time period. "Now we produce nine times more than originally planned." In December, CNN reported that Alabuga had produced more than 5,700 Shahed drones between January and September 2024, over double the number it produced in the whole of 2023. Photo: Zvezda / AFP The facility was aiming for 10,000 Gerbera decoy drones in 2024, according to Ukrainian defence intelligence sources. Alabuga's ever-expanding production targets have long presented a staffing problem. CNN has previously detailed the practice of recruiting teenagers through the Alabuga Polytech college, as well as African women through a foreign outreach scheme, to satisfy a chronic worker shortage in Russia, exacerbated by its war in Ukraine. Shagivaleev was sanctioned by the US Treasury Department in 2024 in part for his association with "the exploitation of underage students to assemble these UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles or drones)." The Zvezda documentary does not gloss over this. The host refers to the "boys and girls" working in the factory, noting, "they invite schoolchildren here right after the ninth grade, and after college, they call them to the plant." Photo: Zvezda / AFP Children in Russia are typically 15 years old when they finish the ninth grade. There's now evidence Alabuga is bringing these and perhaps other students not only into assembly work but also into construction. On 4 July, a summer camp called "Alabuga Build" officially opened its doors at the site according to posts on its VKontakte account (or VK, Russia's version of Facebook). The tents that the students will be staying in, which were nowhere to be found on satellite imagery from June 9, were on full display as of 12 July. CNN counted more than 100 khaki green tents, like the ones seen in the "Alabuga Build" VK posts, next to warehouses associated with drone production. Drone visuals included in an internal Alabuga presentation and geolocated by CNN show construction well underway on one of the rows of dormitories Photo: Supplied / CNN / Alabuga The camp is organised by the "Russian Student Brigades," which claims to be the largest youth organisation in the country and has drafted in about 2,500 students to build a housing complex called "Mediterranean Park" at Alabuga, according to the Ministry of Education in Russia's Tatarstan region, where Alabuga is located. In one of the clips on the camp's VK page, a young man in a khaki jacket gives an ironic tour of his tent, attempting to make a virtue out of the basic conditions. "Here we have a flat screen plasma TV", he said, showing off a basic white cupboard outside a dark green tent with the number "65" on it. "CDs, DVDs, consoles", he continues, picking up pieces of firewood. The Zvezda documentary suggests Alabuga is now a fully self-sufficient production line. "Aluminium bars come in, engines are made from them; microelectronics are made from electric chips; fuselages are made from carbon fibre and fibreglass - that is, complete localisation," Shagivaleev boasts in the clip. "It is precisely such projects that should become the basis of the technological sovereignty of our country so as not to depend on anyone," added the host. Photo: Zvezda / AFP The images in the program showing Shahed engines being manufactured at Alabuga came as a surprise to several experts whom CNN spoke to. "The Shahed 136 is powered by the copy of an original German design that the Iranians copied," said Fabian Hinz, a research fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies based in London. "And that was one big question, whether the Russians can now manufacture their own engines, and at least this documentary seems to imply that they can, which… would mean that they're independent of Iranian components." Albright, the former UN weapons inspector, said it seemed manufacturing - rather than just assembly - at the site was advancing. "Our understanding had been that they may assemble the engine at Alabuga, but they were contracting out for the parts that require a foundry. It (now) looks like they may have some furnaces or a small foundry in Alabuga itself." Albright said Russia could be planning for Alabuga to not only equip the Russian army, but eventually to sell its drones to foreign customers. This suggests the Zvezda documentary is as much an advert aimed at future buyers as a program designed to scare Ukrainians. Drone visuals included in an internal Alabuga presentation and geolocated by CNN show construction well underway on one of the rows of dormitories Photo: Supplied / CNN / Alabuga Other countries are producing their own version of the Shahed, added Hinz, but "Russian ones are up to date when it comes to, for example, electronic counter measures… So I think that would be a huge selling point." Kyiv has also openly suggested Russia may have transferred the technology to produce its version of the Shahed to North Korea, part of a rapidly expanding military partnership with Pyongyang. "The longer this war continues on our territory, the more warfare technologies evolve, and the greater the threat will be to everyone," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned in June. "This must be addressed now - not when thousands of upgraded 'Shahed' drones and ballistic missiles begin to threaten Seoul and Tokyo." CNN has reached out to both Alabuga and the Russian defense ministry to ask about the purpose of the expansion at the site, and whether it is transferring the Shahed technology to North Korea. Neither has responded. In June 2025 alone, Russia fired nearly 5,500 Shahed or similar drones at Ukraine, according to a CNN analysis of Ukrainian air force reports. That's 16 times more than in June 2024, and a more than 30 percent increase on the previous month. On 9 July, a record 728 drones were fired at Ukraine in a single night. Photo: Center for Strategic and International Studies / CNN Moscow's escalating air war and the distinctive whine of Shaheds are now forcing Ukrainians out of their beds and into shelters and metro stations on an almost-nightly basis. "When we stay at home, we always hide behind two walls," Oleksandr Krupnyk, a father of three in Kyiv, told CNN. "We put our middle child in the bathtub, the youngest on a beanbag chair in the bathroom, and we lay on a mattress in the hallway… with our eldest." Krupnyk and his family are committed to staying in the country and doing their part, but he admits Russia's drone attacks are a near-permanent disruption to daily life. "Constant lack of sleep slows you down, makes you irritable, and reduces your endurance," he explained, adding that his children are struggling with their studies and beg not to go to school. Zelensky said on Tuesday that: "Putin is off the deep end with this 'Shahed' obsession and terror." The president added that Ukraine was not just pushing for more air defences from its allies, but it would also continue with its own deep strikes on Russian territory, at least three of which have targeted Alabuga, a site with an ever-growing role in this conflict. - CNN

RNZ News
12 hours ago
- RNZ News
Doctor accused of secret toilet recordings had images of 460 victims, Australian police say
By Danny Tran , ABC Ryan Cho, 27, was arrested and charged with five further offences in Melbourne, on Friday. Photo: Supplied/ Victoria Police A trainee surgeon accused of secretly snapping intimate images of unsuspecting colleagues in hospital toilets in Melbourne allegedly ranked the photos and videos, according to Australian court documents. Ryan Cho, 27, appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Friday, where he was denied bail after being slugged with several more charges including producing intimate images, using an optical surveillance device and failing to assist police. He was also charged with stalking earlier this month. Dr Cho is contesting the charges against him. Court documents revealed police have accused Dr Cho of capturing about 4500 intimate videos of at least 460 alleged victims at three major hospitals in Melbourne - the Austin, the Royal Melbourne and the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre - while they used toilets or showers. "All these files depict the genital or anal regions of the victims in vulnerable positions," police alleged in court documents. "The majority of victims depicted in these videos appear to be female doctors, nurses, paramedics and staff members of medical facilities the accused has worked at since 2021." Dr Cho worked as a trainee surgeon at the Austin Hospital but has since been stood down. His medical registration has also been suspended by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), preventing him from practising as a doctor in Australia. The ABC understands the 27-year-old worked at the Royal Melbourne Hospital between February 2024 and February 2025. Court documents alleged Dr Cho was seen "loitering" around the emergency department on a number of occasions despite his shift not starting for some time or while he was not rostered on. The ABC understands the accused also worked at the Royal Melbourne Hospital for a year. Photo: ABC News / Natalie Whiting The documents alleged that in early July a nurse at the Austin Hospital, who was using a staff toilet, found a mesh bag with a mobile phone that they believed to be recording and reported the incident to management. The nurse alleged that several days later, the same bag was discovered by hospital security and police were called. Police later arrested Dr Cho and seized two mobile phones, a laptop, a hard drive, several white mesh bags and removable hooks. They alleged he refused to give them passwords to the devices. "The mesh bags and removable hooks seized … are of the likeness of the ones used in the commission of his [alleged] offending at the Austin Hospital," police alleged in court documents. Police alleged that cybercrime analysis of one of the mobile phones showed it had recorded three hours of video footage. Analysis of the footage also allegedly showed Dr Cho setting up the phone and more than an hour of vision showing the intimate regions of three women. Court documents further alleged that police analysis of one of the laptop hard drives showed it had 10,374 videos and images that were organised into sub folders separated by hospitals, wards and the names of dozens of alleged victims. The documents also alleged images and videos were separated into a "ranking" - "Tier 1" and "Tier 2". "The accused [allegedly] named at least 460 female victims in total, categorising the intimate videos into folders associated with names and workplaces," the documents alleged. "investigators have received reports from staff and management that they are suffering trauma ... and are fearful of using the hospital facilities," police alleged in court documents. "Staff are no longer feeling safe in their workplace," the documents read. On Friday, police opposed bail and alleged Dr Cho, who graduated from Monash University in 2022, was a flight risk because he had no ties to Victoria. He was denied bail and will return to the Melbourne Magistrates' Court in November. - This story was first published by ABC If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.

RNZ News
20 hours ago
- RNZ News
Send in the drones: Call for aerial crackdown on dirt bikers
A Rotorua resident says drones should be used to catch problem bike riders. Photo: Bevan Conley via LDR Warfare, shark-spotting, real estate photography. The drone has become a multi-use agent of the sky, and a Rotorua resident wants them used to fight illegal dirt bike activity plaguing the city. However, local authorities warn the seemingly simple solution is anything but. Rotorua Lakes Council and local police have faced increasing difficulty keeping the city's reserves, play areas and sports fields safe from vandalism - particularly from dirt bikes. Earlier this month, police promised a crackdown on the issue . Resident Ryan Gray believed drones could be the answer. He deals with the problem daily with "loud and obnoxious" riders hooning down a nearby cycleway. "These riders dive onto footpaths and cycleways where cars can't go, and if they're chased, they'll just ride more dangerously," Gray said. "That's where drones come in. You've got CCTV, you've got the tech so why not use it? "The camera sees them, drone goes up, follows them home, you then knock on their door, and you've got them on video." Rotorua resident Ryan Gray wants more done about illegal dirt bike activity plaguing public areas. Photo: Andrew Warner via LDR A video of the issue he posted online recently sparked comments of vigilante action and concerns for innocent bystanders and the riders. "It's not even about catching everyone, it's about deterrence. If people know they'll be caught, they'll think twice. "Right now, it feels like no one's doing anything, and the community's getting desperate. We shouldn't have to wait for a kid to get killed before police take this seriously." Neil Hunt Park's main football field was closed off to the public after recent dirt bike activity. Photo: LDR/Mathew Nash Authorities in the United States, United Kingdom and Australia have trialled similar systems. Their efficacy remains up for debate although in California, footage of drones chasing and locating nuisance riders has been a hit on social media. In Western Australia, drones have been in use since 2018. They have more than 80 police pilots using them for search and rescue, surveillance, and public safety. This has included crackdowns on problem vehicles. "Western Australia is the single largest policing jurisdiction in the world," said Western Australia police sergeant Nathan Gilmour. "The inclusion of drone technology enhances police search capabilities across large distances and over rugged terrain that would unable to be accessed by vehicles or personnel." "Police are guided by Civil Aviation rules and legislation such as the Search and Surveillance Act and the Privacy Act when deploying drones over residential areas," he said. "We also know that these riders often travel considerable distances across town and the drone is also subject to flight time capability and distance from the control point." Drone use has been banned at Kuirau Park, Rotorua Lakefront Reserve, Village Green, Motutara (Sulphur) Point and Hannah's Bay Reserve. These sites are near an airport, helipad or aerodrome. Generally, operators must fly only in daylight, below 120m, keep drones in sight, and avoid people or private property. Flying near airports or in controlled airspace requires approval. He believed collating information, public help and a cultural shift in some communities was needed to tackle the dirt bike issue. "We still require the public to step up and come forward with the street addresses that these dirt bike riders are coming and going from regularly," he said. "This anti-social behaviour is a societal problem, not just a police problem. It requires a mindset shift that the community can have an impact on achieving." Rotorua police area prevention manager Inspector Phil Gillbanks said drones might seem like an "easy solution", but there were complicating factors. Rotorua Police area prevention manager Inspector Phil Gillbanks. Photo: NZME via LDR Rotorua Lakes Council was also asking the community for help, with its hands tied by the nature of preventive barriers. "We must balance restricting motorcycle/vehicle access with ensuring that reserves and shared paths are accessible for legitimate users like walkers, people on push bikes, people with prams and people using mobility devices," said a council spokesperson. Drones were not seen as the solution. "The council doesn't have the resources to purchase or operate multiple drones to deter dirt bikers. "For anyone using drones, permission is required from owners of land a drone is being flown over, so they aren't necessarily practical for surveillance purposes." LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.