Landmark pepper spray trial in crime-hit community
A landmark trial allowing the public sale of pepper spray for self defence is set to be introduced by a crime-troubled territory.
The Northern Territory is set to become only the second jurisdiction in the country to allow residents to carry pepper spray, giving people "more choice when it comes to personal safety".
Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said a 12-month trial was set to launch from September, allowing approved members of the public to carry a low-percentage Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) spray under strict legal conditions.
The move was part of the NT government's justice reforms that focus on reducing crime and restoring community safety and security, she said.
"We're strengthening the frontline with more police, stronger laws and better prevention, but we also believe individuals should have lawful tools to protect themselves if needed," Ms Finocchiaro said in a statement.
Ms Finocchiaro's government made law and order the cornerstone of its first budget with a record $1.5 billion investment in corrections, courts and police.
The NT government also lowered the age of criminal responsibility from 12 to 10 and introduced tougher bail laws.
Data shows the NT has an incarceration rate three times greater than anywhere else in Australia and has the highest reoffending rate, with six out of 10 prisoners returning to jail within two years of release.
Consultation to determine the trial's specifics will be led by NT Police, industry bodies, licensees, other key stakeholders and the broader community.
The initiative would ensure the NT joins Western Australia as the only jurisdictions in Australia allowing residents to carry pepper spray.
"This is about giving Territorians more choice when it comes to personal safety," the chief minister said.
"This is about equipping Territorians with more options, not less control."
Approved OC spray is set to be made available for purchase from licensed dealers across the NT from September 1.
The NT proposal comes as a class action trial in Victoria winds up involving climate protester Jordan Brown challenging the police's use of pepper spray against him during a mining protest.
His lawyers have told the Supreme Court that Victoria Police's use of the spray on him at a 2019 protest outside the International Mining and Resources Conference in Melbourne was violent and excessive.
But lawyers for Victoria Police claim the use of force was lawful, as protesters were impeding officers from making an arrest.
Closing submissions before Judge Claire Harris are being heard on Wednesday and Thursday.
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The Advertiser
8 hours ago
- The Advertiser
'He's dead bro', GP murder accused says after stabbing
A panicked teenager allegedly told friends he only realised the knife he used to stab a doctor to death "was actually going in" after two strikes. The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has pleaded not guilty to one count of murdering GP Ash Gordon and guilty to two counts of aggravated burglary after breaking into his home. The accused had attended a house house party in Doncaster, in Melbourne's northeast on January 12, 2024, when just after 4am the next day, he and another boy decided to "take" a black Mercedes they had seen at a home down the road, prosecutor Kristie Churchill told a Supreme Court jury on Thursday. The pair walked over to the residence, where inside the three-story townhouse and asleep in their rooms were Dr Gordon and his housemate on the first and third floors, respectively. The pair broke in by sliding under the garage door before stealing shoes, headphones, laptops and silver necklaces belonging to Dr Gordon. Upon returning to their friend's house, the boys "boasted about things they stole" and planned to return again, the prosecutor said. Two more teens joined the pair, with the four captured on CCTV wearing gloves, balaclavas, face masks and hats. The prosector alleged they again slipped under the garage door but this time, they don't go undetected. "Hello boys," Dr Gordon said, after being awoken by the intruders, prompting the teens to run outside. The GP's housemate had told him they should call police but Dr Gordon said, "We'll call them later. We need to get our stuff back". After catching up with three of the teens outside his driveway, two of them jumped the fence, leaving the accused who the GP attempted to restrain, the prosecutor said. During the scuffle, the teen allegedly pulled out a knife and inflicted 11 sharp injuries, leaving the victim laying on the ground. "One of those penetrated Dr Gordon's chest cavity which killed him," Ms Churchill said. Two teens jumped back over the fence after the accused yelled for help before one allegedly kicked the victim in the face so forcefully that his "eyes rolled into the back of his head". After fleeing, the panicked accused allegedly told the others he had "stabbed a guy" four to five times. "Shit, just killed a guy. Like he's dead bro," the accused allegedly said. "The first two times I stabbed him I didn't realise (the knife) was going in. After the next few times I realised it was actually going in." On January 14, the accused and two others met up at an apartment in Melbourne's inner-south, where they discussed fleeing the country and no snitching. Three days later, police attended the apartment and arrested the accused, where they also found a silver chain allegedly belonging to Dr Gordon. Defence barrister Amelia Beech urged the jury to look at the evidence and approach the trial as if it was a "task of the mind, not a task of the heart". Ms Beech accepted jury members may have heard about the issue of youth crime in Victoria and how it has become "political fodder". She said the case was just about what happened between Dr Gordon and the accused at 5.27am on 13 January, 2024. "You can't send a message to the attorney-general or the premier here in this court," she said. The trial continues. A panicked teenager allegedly told friends he only realised the knife he used to stab a doctor to death "was actually going in" after two strikes. The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has pleaded not guilty to one count of murdering GP Ash Gordon and guilty to two counts of aggravated burglary after breaking into his home. The accused had attended a house house party in Doncaster, in Melbourne's northeast on January 12, 2024, when just after 4am the next day, he and another boy decided to "take" a black Mercedes they had seen at a home down the road, prosecutor Kristie Churchill told a Supreme Court jury on Thursday. The pair walked over to the residence, where inside the three-story townhouse and asleep in their rooms were Dr Gordon and his housemate on the first and third floors, respectively. The pair broke in by sliding under the garage door before stealing shoes, headphones, laptops and silver necklaces belonging to Dr Gordon. Upon returning to their friend's house, the boys "boasted about things they stole" and planned to return again, the prosecutor said. Two more teens joined the pair, with the four captured on CCTV wearing gloves, balaclavas, face masks and hats. The prosector alleged they again slipped under the garage door but this time, they don't go undetected. "Hello boys," Dr Gordon said, after being awoken by the intruders, prompting the teens to run outside. The GP's housemate had told him they should call police but Dr Gordon said, "We'll call them later. We need to get our stuff back". After catching up with three of the teens outside his driveway, two of them jumped the fence, leaving the accused who the GP attempted to restrain, the prosecutor said. During the scuffle, the teen allegedly pulled out a knife and inflicted 11 sharp injuries, leaving the victim laying on the ground. "One of those penetrated Dr Gordon's chest cavity which killed him," Ms Churchill said. Two teens jumped back over the fence after the accused yelled for help before one allegedly kicked the victim in the face so forcefully that his "eyes rolled into the back of his head". After fleeing, the panicked accused allegedly told the others he had "stabbed a guy" four to five times. "Shit, just killed a guy. Like he's dead bro," the accused allegedly said. "The first two times I stabbed him I didn't realise (the knife) was going in. After the next few times I realised it was actually going in." On January 14, the accused and two others met up at an apartment in Melbourne's inner-south, where they discussed fleeing the country and no snitching. Three days later, police attended the apartment and arrested the accused, where they also found a silver chain allegedly belonging to Dr Gordon. Defence barrister Amelia Beech urged the jury to look at the evidence and approach the trial as if it was a "task of the mind, not a task of the heart". Ms Beech accepted jury members may have heard about the issue of youth crime in Victoria and how it has become "political fodder". She said the case was just about what happened between Dr Gordon and the accused at 5.27am on 13 January, 2024. "You can't send a message to the attorney-general or the premier here in this court," she said. The trial continues. A panicked teenager allegedly told friends he only realised the knife he used to stab a doctor to death "was actually going in" after two strikes. The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has pleaded not guilty to one count of murdering GP Ash Gordon and guilty to two counts of aggravated burglary after breaking into his home. The accused had attended a house house party in Doncaster, in Melbourne's northeast on January 12, 2024, when just after 4am the next day, he and another boy decided to "take" a black Mercedes they had seen at a home down the road, prosecutor Kristie Churchill told a Supreme Court jury on Thursday. The pair walked over to the residence, where inside the three-story townhouse and asleep in their rooms were Dr Gordon and his housemate on the first and third floors, respectively. The pair broke in by sliding under the garage door before stealing shoes, headphones, laptops and silver necklaces belonging to Dr Gordon. Upon returning to their friend's house, the boys "boasted about things they stole" and planned to return again, the prosecutor said. Two more teens joined the pair, with the four captured on CCTV wearing gloves, balaclavas, face masks and hats. The prosector alleged they again slipped under the garage door but this time, they don't go undetected. "Hello boys," Dr Gordon said, after being awoken by the intruders, prompting the teens to run outside. The GP's housemate had told him they should call police but Dr Gordon said, "We'll call them later. We need to get our stuff back". After catching up with three of the teens outside his driveway, two of them jumped the fence, leaving the accused who the GP attempted to restrain, the prosecutor said. During the scuffle, the teen allegedly pulled out a knife and inflicted 11 sharp injuries, leaving the victim laying on the ground. "One of those penetrated Dr Gordon's chest cavity which killed him," Ms Churchill said. Two teens jumped back over the fence after the accused yelled for help before one allegedly kicked the victim in the face so forcefully that his "eyes rolled into the back of his head". After fleeing, the panicked accused allegedly told the others he had "stabbed a guy" four to five times. "Shit, just killed a guy. Like he's dead bro," the accused allegedly said. "The first two times I stabbed him I didn't realise (the knife) was going in. After the next few times I realised it was actually going in." On January 14, the accused and two others met up at an apartment in Melbourne's inner-south, where they discussed fleeing the country and no snitching. Three days later, police attended the apartment and arrested the accused, where they also found a silver chain allegedly belonging to Dr Gordon. Defence barrister Amelia Beech urged the jury to look at the evidence and approach the trial as if it was a "task of the mind, not a task of the heart". Ms Beech accepted jury members may have heard about the issue of youth crime in Victoria and how it has become "political fodder". She said the case was just about what happened between Dr Gordon and the accused at 5.27am on 13 January, 2024. "You can't send a message to the attorney-general or the premier here in this court," she said. The trial continues. A panicked teenager allegedly told friends he only realised the knife he used to stab a doctor to death "was actually going in" after two strikes. The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has pleaded not guilty to one count of murdering GP Ash Gordon and guilty to two counts of aggravated burglary after breaking into his home. The accused had attended a house house party in Doncaster, in Melbourne's northeast on January 12, 2024, when just after 4am the next day, he and another boy decided to "take" a black Mercedes they had seen at a home down the road, prosecutor Kristie Churchill told a Supreme Court jury on Thursday. The pair walked over to the residence, where inside the three-story townhouse and asleep in their rooms were Dr Gordon and his housemate on the first and third floors, respectively. The pair broke in by sliding under the garage door before stealing shoes, headphones, laptops and silver necklaces belonging to Dr Gordon. Upon returning to their friend's house, the boys "boasted about things they stole" and planned to return again, the prosecutor said. Two more teens joined the pair, with the four captured on CCTV wearing gloves, balaclavas, face masks and hats. The prosector alleged they again slipped under the garage door but this time, they don't go undetected. "Hello boys," Dr Gordon said, after being awoken by the intruders, prompting the teens to run outside. The GP's housemate had told him they should call police but Dr Gordon said, "We'll call them later. We need to get our stuff back". After catching up with three of the teens outside his driveway, two of them jumped the fence, leaving the accused who the GP attempted to restrain, the prosecutor said. During the scuffle, the teen allegedly pulled out a knife and inflicted 11 sharp injuries, leaving the victim laying on the ground. "One of those penetrated Dr Gordon's chest cavity which killed him," Ms Churchill said. Two teens jumped back over the fence after the accused yelled for help before one allegedly kicked the victim in the face so forcefully that his "eyes rolled into the back of his head". After fleeing, the panicked accused allegedly told the others he had "stabbed a guy" four to five times. "Shit, just killed a guy. Like he's dead bro," the accused allegedly said. "The first two times I stabbed him I didn't realise (the knife) was going in. After the next few times I realised it was actually going in." On January 14, the accused and two others met up at an apartment in Melbourne's inner-south, where they discussed fleeing the country and no snitching. Three days later, police attended the apartment and arrested the accused, where they also found a silver chain allegedly belonging to Dr Gordon. Defence barrister Amelia Beech urged the jury to look at the evidence and approach the trial as if it was a "task of the mind, not a task of the heart". Ms Beech accepted jury members may have heard about the issue of youth crime in Victoria and how it has become "political fodder". She said the case was just about what happened between Dr Gordon and the accused at 5.27am on 13 January, 2024. "You can't send a message to the attorney-general or the premier here in this court," she said. The trial continues.
The Advertiser
8 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Victims at risk as cops waver on warning about abusers
Failing to alert victims about the release of their abusers from jail is putting lives at risk, a domestic violence advocate warns. A state coroner recommended victims be given at least 48 hours' notice before violent partners are released from custody. It follows an inquest into the 2020 death of Noeline Dalzell, who was fatally stabbed by her abusive ex-partner in front of their three children. The proposal has drawn criticism from Victoria's police union, which says officers should be focused on responding to family violence incidents, not delivering release notifications from behind a desk. Swinburne sexual violence expert Rachael Burgin said the recommendation reflected the bare minimum of police responsibility, saying "the most fundamental job of police is to protect and serve". She said timely information was crucial for victims, so they can plan for their safety and access support from family violence services. "We cannot continue to see women and children's safety be at risk because of challenges like resourcing," Dr Burgin told AAP. "I would expect police in their role to protect and serve the community, would be taking this very seriously." State Coroner John Cain in November found police missed opportunities to protect Ms Dalzell before she was murdered by James Fairhall. Fairhall was released from custody three months earlier for breaching a family violence intervention order designed to protect Ms Dalzell. He is now serving a 25-year sentence for her murder. Among 11 recommendations, Judge Cain echoed calls from the 2016 Royal Commission into Family Violence for an improved information-sharing system between agencies. He also called on police to carry out an independent review of its family violence units, saying investigators' actions fell short of best practice. Victims are only notified about their abusers' movements if they opt-in to an alert system through the Victorian Victims Register. The Police Association of Victoria said notifications should sit solely with the Department of Justice and Community Safety. "We don't have enough police to respond to victims of violence when they call us in the first place, let alone committing to further processes that would further diminish our emergency response and preventative abilities, by sending officers out in person to deliver these messages," the union told AAP on Thursday. Victoria Police echoed those sentiments in a letter to the coroner. "We believe it wouldn't be appropriate for Victoria Police to have sole responsibility for notifications in every family violence related case within the Victorian court system," the statement said. The force's stance highlights systemic failure when addressing victim safety, opposition police spokesman David Southwick says. "Victoria Police saying it doesn't have the resources to warn women when violent perpetrators get out of jail shows a failure in the system and a failure of government," Mr Southwick said. A state government spokesperson said it was "completely unacceptable" women were still placed in danger after perpetrators were released from of custody. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491 Failing to alert victims about the release of their abusers from jail is putting lives at risk, a domestic violence advocate warns. A state coroner recommended victims be given at least 48 hours' notice before violent partners are released from custody. It follows an inquest into the 2020 death of Noeline Dalzell, who was fatally stabbed by her abusive ex-partner in front of their three children. The proposal has drawn criticism from Victoria's police union, which says officers should be focused on responding to family violence incidents, not delivering release notifications from behind a desk. Swinburne sexual violence expert Rachael Burgin said the recommendation reflected the bare minimum of police responsibility, saying "the most fundamental job of police is to protect and serve". She said timely information was crucial for victims, so they can plan for their safety and access support from family violence services. "We cannot continue to see women and children's safety be at risk because of challenges like resourcing," Dr Burgin told AAP. "I would expect police in their role to protect and serve the community, would be taking this very seriously." State Coroner John Cain in November found police missed opportunities to protect Ms Dalzell before she was murdered by James Fairhall. Fairhall was released from custody three months earlier for breaching a family violence intervention order designed to protect Ms Dalzell. He is now serving a 25-year sentence for her murder. Among 11 recommendations, Judge Cain echoed calls from the 2016 Royal Commission into Family Violence for an improved information-sharing system between agencies. He also called on police to carry out an independent review of its family violence units, saying investigators' actions fell short of best practice. Victims are only notified about their abusers' movements if they opt-in to an alert system through the Victorian Victims Register. The Police Association of Victoria said notifications should sit solely with the Department of Justice and Community Safety. "We don't have enough police to respond to victims of violence when they call us in the first place, let alone committing to further processes that would further diminish our emergency response and preventative abilities, by sending officers out in person to deliver these messages," the union told AAP on Thursday. Victoria Police echoed those sentiments in a letter to the coroner. "We believe it wouldn't be appropriate for Victoria Police to have sole responsibility for notifications in every family violence related case within the Victorian court system," the statement said. The force's stance highlights systemic failure when addressing victim safety, opposition police spokesman David Southwick says. "Victoria Police saying it doesn't have the resources to warn women when violent perpetrators get out of jail shows a failure in the system and a failure of government," Mr Southwick said. A state government spokesperson said it was "completely unacceptable" women were still placed in danger after perpetrators were released from of custody. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491 Failing to alert victims about the release of their abusers from jail is putting lives at risk, a domestic violence advocate warns. A state coroner recommended victims be given at least 48 hours' notice before violent partners are released from custody. It follows an inquest into the 2020 death of Noeline Dalzell, who was fatally stabbed by her abusive ex-partner in front of their three children. The proposal has drawn criticism from Victoria's police union, which says officers should be focused on responding to family violence incidents, not delivering release notifications from behind a desk. Swinburne sexual violence expert Rachael Burgin said the recommendation reflected the bare minimum of police responsibility, saying "the most fundamental job of police is to protect and serve". She said timely information was crucial for victims, so they can plan for their safety and access support from family violence services. "We cannot continue to see women and children's safety be at risk because of challenges like resourcing," Dr Burgin told AAP. "I would expect police in their role to protect and serve the community, would be taking this very seriously." State Coroner John Cain in November found police missed opportunities to protect Ms Dalzell before she was murdered by James Fairhall. Fairhall was released from custody three months earlier for breaching a family violence intervention order designed to protect Ms Dalzell. He is now serving a 25-year sentence for her murder. Among 11 recommendations, Judge Cain echoed calls from the 2016 Royal Commission into Family Violence for an improved information-sharing system between agencies. He also called on police to carry out an independent review of its family violence units, saying investigators' actions fell short of best practice. Victims are only notified about their abusers' movements if they opt-in to an alert system through the Victorian Victims Register. The Police Association of Victoria said notifications should sit solely with the Department of Justice and Community Safety. "We don't have enough police to respond to victims of violence when they call us in the first place, let alone committing to further processes that would further diminish our emergency response and preventative abilities, by sending officers out in person to deliver these messages," the union told AAP on Thursday. Victoria Police echoed those sentiments in a letter to the coroner. "We believe it wouldn't be appropriate for Victoria Police to have sole responsibility for notifications in every family violence related case within the Victorian court system," the statement said. The force's stance highlights systemic failure when addressing victim safety, opposition police spokesman David Southwick says. "Victoria Police saying it doesn't have the resources to warn women when violent perpetrators get out of jail shows a failure in the system and a failure of government," Mr Southwick said. A state government spokesperson said it was "completely unacceptable" women were still placed in danger after perpetrators were released from of custody. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491 Failing to alert victims about the release of their abusers from jail is putting lives at risk, a domestic violence advocate warns. A state coroner recommended victims be given at least 48 hours' notice before violent partners are released from custody. It follows an inquest into the 2020 death of Noeline Dalzell, who was fatally stabbed by her abusive ex-partner in front of their three children. The proposal has drawn criticism from Victoria's police union, which says officers should be focused on responding to family violence incidents, not delivering release notifications from behind a desk. Swinburne sexual violence expert Rachael Burgin said the recommendation reflected the bare minimum of police responsibility, saying "the most fundamental job of police is to protect and serve". She said timely information was crucial for victims, so they can plan for their safety and access support from family violence services. "We cannot continue to see women and children's safety be at risk because of challenges like resourcing," Dr Burgin told AAP. "I would expect police in their role to protect and serve the community, would be taking this very seriously." State Coroner John Cain in November found police missed opportunities to protect Ms Dalzell before she was murdered by James Fairhall. Fairhall was released from custody three months earlier for breaching a family violence intervention order designed to protect Ms Dalzell. He is now serving a 25-year sentence for her murder. Among 11 recommendations, Judge Cain echoed calls from the 2016 Royal Commission into Family Violence for an improved information-sharing system between agencies. He also called on police to carry out an independent review of its family violence units, saying investigators' actions fell short of best practice. Victims are only notified about their abusers' movements if they opt-in to an alert system through the Victorian Victims Register. The Police Association of Victoria said notifications should sit solely with the Department of Justice and Community Safety. "We don't have enough police to respond to victims of violence when they call us in the first place, let alone committing to further processes that would further diminish our emergency response and preventative abilities, by sending officers out in person to deliver these messages," the union told AAP on Thursday. Victoria Police echoed those sentiments in a letter to the coroner. "We believe it wouldn't be appropriate for Victoria Police to have sole responsibility for notifications in every family violence related case within the Victorian court system," the statement said. The force's stance highlights systemic failure when addressing victim safety, opposition police spokesman David Southwick says. "Victoria Police saying it doesn't have the resources to warn women when violent perpetrators get out of jail shows a failure in the system and a failure of government," Mr Southwick said. A state government spokesperson said it was "completely unacceptable" women were still placed in danger after perpetrators were released from of custody. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491
The Age
8 hours ago
- The Age
‘He's full dead, bro': Distressing final moments of stabbing death of doctor aired in court
A teenager told his friends 'just killed a guy. Like, he's dead bro', after stabbing a Melbourne doctor in the driveway of a Doncaster street. The then-16-year-old had broken into the Doncaster home of doctor Ashley Gordon twice in one night to steal shoes, jewellery and electronics. The teenager also allegedly showed the bloodied knife to friends before saying he needed to burn his clothes, a court has heard. The now 17-year-old, who cannot be named due to his age, has pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated burglary and not guilty to a charge of murder. On the first day of the trial into the 33-year-old's alleged murder, distressing details of the doctor's final moments, and the two home invasions that preceded his death, were aired in the Supreme Court. The court heard the boy and his co-accused, who was also 16 at the time, had been drinking at a friend's party at a house in the same street as Gordon's home on the evening of January 12 last year. The other, now 17-year-old boy, has also been charged over Gordon's death and will face a separate trial. The hearing was told in the early hours of January 13 the two teenage boys began talking about stealing a black Mercedes they had seen parked in Gordon's garage. The court was told that some time after 3am the teenage boy, and his co-accused left the party and walked to Gordon's home, which he shared with his lifelong friend, Tristen Standing.
