VIDEO: Mushroom murder trial continues
The triple murder trial of the woman accused of poisoning four people with death cap mushrooms continues in Victoria. 7.30's Mike Lorigan reports.
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ABC News
29 minutes ago
- ABC News
Former NSW Police officer Jonathan Bettles sentenced over assault, domestic violence offences
A former NSW Police officer who admitted to repeatedly assaulting his former partner will not spend any further time behind bars, despite being handed a prison sentence. Jonathan Charles Bettles pleaded guilty to 14 charges, including five counts of common assault, six of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, two of destroying or damaging property and one of perverting the course of justice. The 37-year-old's lawyer previously conceded the offending, which occurred over a period of 18 months to mid-2021, was "very serious", but said it was linked to his client's severe mental health issues. On Thursday, Magistrate Christopher Halburd sentenced the man to two years and nine months' jail, which was backdated to January 2024 to take into consideration time he had already spent in custody and on home detention. He became eligible for parole on the same day he was sentenced. Magistrate Halburd told Burwood Local Court the man's offending displayed controlling behaviours through sporadic acts of violence. He said Bettles's crimes ranged from "petty" acts of violence such as tipping Coca-Cola on the woman and destroying her makeup, to assaulting the victim in front of others. "This is not a situation where it's one isolated act. "Domestic violence is a blight on society and courts must do their best to stamp [it] out," Magistrate Halburd said. When handing down Bettles's sentence, Magistrate Halburd rejected claims he "wasn't an aggressive person", instead telling the court he was someone who did not "seem to be taking responsibility for his behaviour". "Throughout this relationship, he was violent and aggressive." "The other troubling aspect of this matter … [was] when the victim did reach out for help, the defendant told her to lie to police and so she wouldn't receive that help," he said. Late last month, the woman told the court she lived in a state of "constant emotional turmoil", no longer felt safe and was addicted to antidepressant medication. "Emotionally, I have been stripped of my strength and stability," she said in the statement, which was read in court by her daughter. The woman said Bettles was a violent and toxic man and she feared nobody would believe her. "The betrayal cuts deeper from that uniform he once wore," she said. Defence lawyer Bryan Wrench said his client acquired post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from his work in the police force. He said the domestic violence incidents, while "deplorable and horrible", were related to "emotional outbursts" caused by the PTSD. The Crown prosecutor accepted there was evidence Bettles had PTSD but disputed there was a causal link between the condition and his acts of violence. The court heard the former senior constable took two weeks off due to his mental health in May 2021 and was then on medical leave until he was charged in September 2023. Bettles, who is no longer employed by NSW Police, served about six months in protective custody while on remand and 14 months "effectively" on house arrest. Mr Wrench said it was "no coincidence" that the domestic violence ceased between 2021 and 2023, when Bettles began seeing a psychologist. Bettles was also handed two community corrections orders and will be ordered to serve 100 hours of community service.
News.com.au
40 minutes ago
- News.com.au
Chemist Warehouse staff confront alleged shoplifter in dramatic footage
In dramatic footage shared online, two Chemist Warehouse employees have been praised for their bravery in preventing two alleged teenage shoplifters from escaping the store. The clip, shared on Instagram by @its_called_straya, shows the two male employees in uniform using their bodies to block the exit, effectively stopping the teens from attempting to flee. The video begins showing the standoff as the alleged shoplifters try to negotiate their way past the employees. One of the teens can be heard saying, 'Get out of my face, move,' as she attempts to push past the workers. Despite the pressure, the employees remain calm and refuse to budge. A different angle of the incident, shared by @crazynewssydney on TikTok, captures one of the teens insisting that they didn't steal anything. 'Are you actually sweet?' she asks the staff members, while her friend records the encounter. At one point, the teen appears to be talking to someone on the phone, continuing to plead with the staff to let them leave. Legal implications In Australia, you can't detain someone merely on suspicion of shoplifting. There must be reasonable grounds, for example, you saw the offence take place. This is typically known as a citizen's arrest, where 'reasonable force' can be used to detain a shoplifter until police arrive. Public weighs in Comments flooded in, with many applauding the employees for how they handled the situation. One user commented, 'Boys deserve a raise. Didn't lay a hand on her. Well done'. Another added, 'Very professional,' while a third praised, 'Amazing work'. Someone else replied, 'Something needs to be done to stop these youths from thinking it's okay … and these boys did it! I hope their company acknowledges them'. However, not all reactions were positive. Some people questioned whether the risk was worth it. 'Imagine putting your life on the line for Chemist Warehouse,' one person said. Another suggested, 'Let them go, not worth it! The company have insurance for theft'. Someone else echoed: 'If you don't own the store, just get a description and watch where they go. You don't need to be a hero for a large chain corporation'.
ABC News
an hour ago
- ABC News
Home searched over fatal Truganina house fire believed to be linked to illegal tobacco war
Police have searched a home in Melbourne's south-east in relation to a house fire that killed a 27-year-old woman earlier this year. WARNING: This story contains details that some audience members may find distressing. Officers say they seized mobile phones from the house in Dandenong, but no arrests were made. Katie Tangey was house-sitting for her brother at his Truganina home while he was overseas on his honeymoon, when arsonists set the townhouse alight on January 16. Ms Tangey called triple-0 just after 2am on the night of the fire to say she was trapped inside the burning home. She was later found dead inside the home. Ms Tangey is the first person to die in a deliberately lit fire linked to the ongoing turf war involving the state's illicit tobacco trade. Victoria Police said a "significant investigation has taken place to determine the motivation for the attack and who was responsible". "We are absolutely determined to provide what closure and justice we can to the family of Katie Tangey," Detective Inspector Chris Murray said. "The least we can do is make sure those responsible for this tragedy are held accountable for their actions." Police believe the arson was linked to the state's tobacco wars, but said the Truganina home had been mistakenly targeted. An investigation into the fire has been ongoing since January, with an anonymous tip-off leading to the property raid on Thursday. "We know this is solvable, and we know we are getting closer," Detective Inspector Murray said. Following a public appeal for information, Victoria Police said an anonymous caller to Crime Stoppers provided a pseudonym or nickname. Police have urged the caller to get back in contact to provide more details. Previously obtained CCTV footage captured two people getting out of a dark coloured car parked outside the Truganina home. An explosion can be seen in the footage before the pair leave in the car, believed to be a BMW X3 or X5. In April, police released an image of a man they believe was connected to the attack. The man is described as Middle Eastern in appearance, and aged between 25 to 30, with a slim build. The second person's identity was still unclear.
