
Police storm house over violent home invasion murder
Zachery Davies-Scott was gunned down in front of his pregnant partner inside his parents' home, two days after Christmas in 2022.
A group of alleged attackers stormed the house 45 minutes west of Newcastle in a night attack.
After shooting the 25-year-old man, the group sped off in a white SUV which was found two months later.
Paramedics tried to save Mr Davies-Scott but he died at the scene.
A 52-year-old woman sustained minor injuries after attempting to fight off the group while two children at the scene and Mr Davies-Scott's partner were physically uninjured.
Heavily armed police stormed a property in Lambton, Newcastle, on Thursday and emerged with a man in handcuffs wearing an orange high-vis vest.
The 45-year-old suspect allegedly assisted the home invasion group before and after the murder, police allege.
Police also seized a replica pistol, knuckle dusters, prohibited drugs, and a stolen vehicle during the dawn raid.
The man was charged with murder, possessing an unauthorised pistol and acquiring a firearm while subject to a prohibition order.
He was due to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Thursday.
It follows the arrest of three men over the fatal shooting during the spring and summer of 2023-24.
One man was arrested on the NSW mid-north coast in October 2023, days before police nabbed a second alleged murderer.
A man living in suburban Newcastle was arrested at his home in January 2024.
The trio's case remains in the local court.
The state's chief homicide detective has described the victim's family members as "extremely distressed and traumatised" by the killing.

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7NEWS
3 days ago
- 7NEWS
‘Sick to the stomach': Convicted child rapist allegedly worked around kids at daycare run by his wife in Queensland
A convicted child rapist has been arrested after police allege he was working at a daycare run by his wife. 7NEWS can exclusively reveal Andrew Vassel, 44, was employed to do odd jobs had been working at Montessori Early Learning Centre in Beenleigh, about 30 minutes south of Brisbane, Queensland, despite the fact he is a convicted child rapist. His wife Amanda Vassel is the centre's director. Despite being a registered sex offender banned from working with children, Vassel was allegedly allowed on-site regularly, even donning a Santa suit during a Christmas event. 'Parents are entitled to feel angry and sick to the stomach that their kids (may) have been in the vicinity of a convicted sex offender,' Hetty Johnston from Safeguarding People Australia told 7NEWS. 'This is not acceptable.' Vassel was convicted in 2007 in New South Wales for sexual assault against a minor. He served eight months in jail and remains banned from child-related work. Amanda Vassel, 46, is accused of knowingly allowing her husband to work at the centre. In earlier footage provided to 7NEWS, she proudly described the progress of children at the daycare. 'It's very rewarding just to see how far they can go,' she said. 'You've got two-year-olds washing up their own dishes. You've got four-year-olds who are writing their own names fluently.' The couple were arrested at their Logan home on Wednesday night after detectives executed multiple search warrants. The disturbing revelations come as national concerns around childcare safety continue to escalate. Last month, Victorian educator Joshua Brown was charged with more than 70 child sex offences, including rape. 'We should be able to trust the organisations that tell us that they're there to care for and protect our children,' Johnston said. Federal Education Minister Jason Clare has flagged tougher consequences for centres failing to meet standards. 'If centres are persistently not meeting the sort of standards that mums and dads expect and that our kids deserve, then we've got to have the power to cut that funding off,' he said. Detectives said no children at the Beenleigh daycare have been identified as victims. But the allegations that a convicted child sex offender was present has sparked outrage. 'It's almost irrelevant whether something happened or didn't happen. Whether he's committed an offence or not,' Johnston said. Andrew Vassel has been charged with two breaches of child protection laws. Amanda Vassel faces charges for allegedly allowing the breaches to occur. She is due to face Beenleigh court on August 19.


The Advertiser
4 days ago
- The Advertiser
'My everything': man mourned, teens charged with murder
A tight-knit community is in shock after two teenagers were charged with the murder of a beloved husband during an alleged bungled break-in attempt. Zdravko Bilic, 57, was found dead with stab wounds at his beachside home at Queensland's Sunshine Coast by a neighbour. Two boys - aged 15 and 17 - have been charged with murder, with their matters appearing in a Maroochydore court on Thursday. If convicted, they will serve mandatory life sentences under the Queensland government's controversial "adult crime, adult time" laws. Mr Bilic's death has shattered the quiet suburb of Warana which has rallied around his wife, multimillion-dollar skincare business founder Gry Tomte. Police on Thursday said Mr Bilic was stabbed twice in an altercation with the two boys after they allegedly entered the beachside home about 11.30pm on Sunday. Ms Tomte was not home at the time and had asked a neighbour to check on her husband after she had not heard from him. Mr Bilic - a popular community member who worked as a junior soccer coach - was found dead in his yard by the neighbour about 7.30pm on Monday. Floral tributes have been laid outside the home. Annabelle Brett had recently moved to the Sunshine Coast community from north Queensland and said the incident had left everyone in shock. "I didn't think that this happened in places like the Sunshine Coast in general, let alone a suburb like Warana," she told AAP. "It is very family friendly, quiet and coastal. There's a lot of people that have retired and moved here for a more calm, quiet and safe life." Ms Tomte on Thursday led tributes for her husband, who was described as "the whole street's favourite person". She said Mr Bilic had also been a "super hero" to the kids he worked with as a junior soccer coach at Sunshine Coast childcare centres. "He was loved by more people that I can put into words," she said in a statement released via Queensland Police. "If you've had the privilege of being in Zed's presence, you'll know that he was literal sunshine. "And the world is a little less bright without him in it." Ms Tomte had earlier expressed her grief over losing "the most beautiful man" on social media, posting: "My world for 28 years ...he was my everything". Police said Mr Bilic was clearly a beloved community member, with locals offering "as much help as they can" to their investigation. "They visit each other's houses, they have Christmas street parties," Detective Inspector Chris Toohey said on Thursday. "They really are shocked but really want to help." Queensland Premier David Crisafulli passed on his condolences, saying no family should have to experience such pain. His Liberal National government ushered in tough youth justice laws after winning the 2024 election, ensuring juveniles face adult sentences for more than 30 offences. The 17-year-old was arrested as he got off a bus that had arrived in Toowoomba from Brisbane. Detectives allege they have located the murder weapon, sending it for forensic testing. The boys have also been charged with a number of break and enter offences, police said. One of the teenagers is under his grandmother's guardianship with both his parents in jail, the Maroochydore Childrens Court was told. The other teen has been under the long-term guardianship of Department of Child Safety. They have been remanded in custody for a Maroochydore committal mention on September 10. A tight-knit community is in shock after two teenagers were charged with the murder of a beloved husband during an alleged bungled break-in attempt. Zdravko Bilic, 57, was found dead with stab wounds at his beachside home at Queensland's Sunshine Coast by a neighbour. Two boys - aged 15 and 17 - have been charged with murder, with their matters appearing in a Maroochydore court on Thursday. If convicted, they will serve mandatory life sentences under the Queensland government's controversial "adult crime, adult time" laws. Mr Bilic's death has shattered the quiet suburb of Warana which has rallied around his wife, multimillion-dollar skincare business founder Gry Tomte. Police on Thursday said Mr Bilic was stabbed twice in an altercation with the two boys after they allegedly entered the beachside home about 11.30pm on Sunday. Ms Tomte was not home at the time and had asked a neighbour to check on her husband after she had not heard from him. Mr Bilic - a popular community member who worked as a junior soccer coach - was found dead in his yard by the neighbour about 7.30pm on Monday. Floral tributes have been laid outside the home. Annabelle Brett had recently moved to the Sunshine Coast community from north Queensland and said the incident had left everyone in shock. "I didn't think that this happened in places like the Sunshine Coast in general, let alone a suburb like Warana," she told AAP. "It is very family friendly, quiet and coastal. There's a lot of people that have retired and moved here for a more calm, quiet and safe life." Ms Tomte on Thursday led tributes for her husband, who was described as "the whole street's favourite person". She said Mr Bilic had also been a "super hero" to the kids he worked with as a junior soccer coach at Sunshine Coast childcare centres. "He was loved by more people that I can put into words," she said in a statement released via Queensland Police. "If you've had the privilege of being in Zed's presence, you'll know that he was literal sunshine. "And the world is a little less bright without him in it." Ms Tomte had earlier expressed her grief over losing "the most beautiful man" on social media, posting: "My world for 28 years ...he was my everything". Police said Mr Bilic was clearly a beloved community member, with locals offering "as much help as they can" to their investigation. "They visit each other's houses, they have Christmas street parties," Detective Inspector Chris Toohey said on Thursday. "They really are shocked but really want to help." Queensland Premier David Crisafulli passed on his condolences, saying no family should have to experience such pain. His Liberal National government ushered in tough youth justice laws after winning the 2024 election, ensuring juveniles face adult sentences for more than 30 offences. The 17-year-old was arrested as he got off a bus that had arrived in Toowoomba from Brisbane. Detectives allege they have located the murder weapon, sending it for forensic testing. The boys have also been charged with a number of break and enter offences, police said. One of the teenagers is under his grandmother's guardianship with both his parents in jail, the Maroochydore Childrens Court was told. The other teen has been under the long-term guardianship of Department of Child Safety. They have been remanded in custody for a Maroochydore committal mention on September 10. A tight-knit community is in shock after two teenagers were charged with the murder of a beloved husband during an alleged bungled break-in attempt. Zdravko Bilic, 57, was found dead with stab wounds at his beachside home at Queensland's Sunshine Coast by a neighbour. Two boys - aged 15 and 17 - have been charged with murder, with their matters appearing in a Maroochydore court on Thursday. If convicted, they will serve mandatory life sentences under the Queensland government's controversial "adult crime, adult time" laws. Mr Bilic's death has shattered the quiet suburb of Warana which has rallied around his wife, multimillion-dollar skincare business founder Gry Tomte. Police on Thursday said Mr Bilic was stabbed twice in an altercation with the two boys after they allegedly entered the beachside home about 11.30pm on Sunday. Ms Tomte was not home at the time and had asked a neighbour to check on her husband after she had not heard from him. Mr Bilic - a popular community member who worked as a junior soccer coach - was found dead in his yard by the neighbour about 7.30pm on Monday. Floral tributes have been laid outside the home. Annabelle Brett had recently moved to the Sunshine Coast community from north Queensland and said the incident had left everyone in shock. "I didn't think that this happened in places like the Sunshine Coast in general, let alone a suburb like Warana," she told AAP. "It is very family friendly, quiet and coastal. There's a lot of people that have retired and moved here for a more calm, quiet and safe life." Ms Tomte on Thursday led tributes for her husband, who was described as "the whole street's favourite person". She said Mr Bilic had also been a "super hero" to the kids he worked with as a junior soccer coach at Sunshine Coast childcare centres. "He was loved by more people that I can put into words," she said in a statement released via Queensland Police. "If you've had the privilege of being in Zed's presence, you'll know that he was literal sunshine. "And the world is a little less bright without him in it." Ms Tomte had earlier expressed her grief over losing "the most beautiful man" on social media, posting: "My world for 28 years ...he was my everything". Police said Mr Bilic was clearly a beloved community member, with locals offering "as much help as they can" to their investigation. "They visit each other's houses, they have Christmas street parties," Detective Inspector Chris Toohey said on Thursday. "They really are shocked but really want to help." Queensland Premier David Crisafulli passed on his condolences, saying no family should have to experience such pain. His Liberal National government ushered in tough youth justice laws after winning the 2024 election, ensuring juveniles face adult sentences for more than 30 offences. The 17-year-old was arrested as he got off a bus that had arrived in Toowoomba from Brisbane. Detectives allege they have located the murder weapon, sending it for forensic testing. The boys have also been charged with a number of break and enter offences, police said. One of the teenagers is under his grandmother's guardianship with both his parents in jail, the Maroochydore Childrens Court was told. The other teen has been under the long-term guardianship of Department of Child Safety. They have been remanded in custody for a Maroochydore committal mention on September 10. A tight-knit community is in shock after two teenagers were charged with the murder of a beloved husband during an alleged bungled break-in attempt. Zdravko Bilic, 57, was found dead with stab wounds at his beachside home at Queensland's Sunshine Coast by a neighbour. Two boys - aged 15 and 17 - have been charged with murder, with their matters appearing in a Maroochydore court on Thursday. If convicted, they will serve mandatory life sentences under the Queensland government's controversial "adult crime, adult time" laws. Mr Bilic's death has shattered the quiet suburb of Warana which has rallied around his wife, multimillion-dollar skincare business founder Gry Tomte. Police on Thursday said Mr Bilic was stabbed twice in an altercation with the two boys after they allegedly entered the beachside home about 11.30pm on Sunday. Ms Tomte was not home at the time and had asked a neighbour to check on her husband after she had not heard from him. Mr Bilic - a popular community member who worked as a junior soccer coach - was found dead in his yard by the neighbour about 7.30pm on Monday. Floral tributes have been laid outside the home. Annabelle Brett had recently moved to the Sunshine Coast community from north Queensland and said the incident had left everyone in shock. "I didn't think that this happened in places like the Sunshine Coast in general, let alone a suburb like Warana," she told AAP. "It is very family friendly, quiet and coastal. There's a lot of people that have retired and moved here for a more calm, quiet and safe life." Ms Tomte on Thursday led tributes for her husband, who was described as "the whole street's favourite person". She said Mr Bilic had also been a "super hero" to the kids he worked with as a junior soccer coach at Sunshine Coast childcare centres. "He was loved by more people that I can put into words," she said in a statement released via Queensland Police. "If you've had the privilege of being in Zed's presence, you'll know that he was literal sunshine. "And the world is a little less bright without him in it." Ms Tomte had earlier expressed her grief over losing "the most beautiful man" on social media, posting: "My world for 28 years ...he was my everything". Police said Mr Bilic was clearly a beloved community member, with locals offering "as much help as they can" to their investigation. "They visit each other's houses, they have Christmas street parties," Detective Inspector Chris Toohey said on Thursday. "They really are shocked but really want to help." Queensland Premier David Crisafulli passed on his condolences, saying no family should have to experience such pain. His Liberal National government ushered in tough youth justice laws after winning the 2024 election, ensuring juveniles face adult sentences for more than 30 offences. The 17-year-old was arrested as he got off a bus that had arrived in Toowoomba from Brisbane. Detectives allege they have located the murder weapon, sending it for forensic testing. The boys have also been charged with a number of break and enter offences, police said. One of the teenagers is under his grandmother's guardianship with both his parents in jail, the Maroochydore Childrens Court was told. The other teen has been under the long-term guardianship of Department of Child Safety. They have been remanded in custody for a Maroochydore committal mention on September 10.


Perth Now
13-07-2025
- Perth Now
French women charged over meth import
Two French women have been arrested and charged with attempting to smuggle 32kg of meth, valued at $29m, into Brisbane Airport. The two women, aged 19 and 20, were stopped by Australian Border Force officers on Tuesday, July 9, as they arrived at Brisbane International Airport from Southeast Asia. Two French women have been arrested and charged with attempting to smuggle 32kg of meth into Brisbane Airport. NewsWire Handout Credit: NewsWire Their movements were flagged by ABF officers, who recognised a similar travel pattern to the four women who were charged last week with attempting to smuggle 30kg of cocaine wrapped in spicy towels. The ABF said the women's' multi-leg route into Australia prompted them to pay closer attention to the pair's movements and arrival. The women were pulled aside by the Australian Border Force. NewsWire Handout Credit: NewsWire Upon inspecting the bags of the French women, officers discovered 32 individually wrapped bricks of white powder. Examination of the powder returned a positive result for methamphetamine. 'This seizure has an estimated street value of $29m and could equate to 320,000 individual straight deals,' AFP Acting Superintendent Natalie Scott said. Both women were charged with one count each of importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled substance. 'They face life imprisonment if convicted,' Superintendent Scott said. The street value of the meth is estimated to fetch almost $30m. NewsWire Handout Credit: NewsWire The women could face life imprisonment. NewsWire Handout Credit: NewsWire The pair appeared before the Brisbane Magistrates Court on July 9 and were remanded in custody. They are expected to face court again on September 5. ABF Commander Troy Sokoloff said it was 'extremely unlikely' the women were acting alone in the operation. 'Our highly skilled officers at Brisbane Airport were able to act swiftly thanks to the exceptional efforts of our National Border Targeting Centre,' he said. 'It is extremely unlikely these young women were acting alone – rather that they were part of a broader network, and this result sends a clear message that ABF will continue to detect and disrupt these syndicates. 'This is now four young women in less than two weeks detected by ABF officers at Brisbane Airport. Our officers are alert to these trends and will continue to adapt and respond decisively as we work hand in glove with AFP to disrupt and investigate.' QLD drug helpline