Latest news with #Burwood
ABC News
28-05-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Woman abused by former NSW Police officer Jonathan Charles Bettles talks of 'emotional turmoil'
A woman who endured a string of domestic violence offences by a NSW Police officer has told a court of her "constant emotional turmoil" and lingering trauma, saying the "betrayal cuts deeper" because of the uniform he once wore. Jonathan Charles Bettles pleaded guilty to 14 charges in December, which were committed over a period of about 18 months to mid-2021 against a woman with whom he was in a relationship. The 37-year-old on Wednesday faced a sentence hearing in Burwood Local Court, where his lawyer accepted it was a "very serious course of offending". His charges include five counts of common assault, six of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, two of destroying or damaging property and one of doing an act to pervert the course of justice. In a victim impact statement read by her daughter, the woman outlined how she no longer feels safe, relies on antidepressant medication to cope, and carries the weight of trauma. She said the abuse represented a "breaking point that has reshaped my entire life". "Since these events, I have lived my life in constant emotional turmoil," she said in the statement. "The trauma never fades, it lingers … It wakes me up in the middle of the night, it follows me during the day like a shadow I can't escape. The woman said the crimes have led to her pushing away friends and distancing herself from family members. It was made worse, she said, because they were committed by a "violent and toxic" man who'd sworn to serve and protect the community. "The betrayal cuts deeper from that uniform he once wore," she said. "I feared that no-one would believe me because of who he was." The magistrate was told the woman was lucky to have had people in her support network who did believe her. She said she now wants justice not only for herself, but for all those who've endured domestic violence. The court heard the conduct included demeaning acts such as pouring Coke over the woman and incidents of actual striking, along with attempted influence over her to make a false report to police. Defence lawyer Bryan Wrench argued for his client to be spared a custodial sentence and instead be placed on an intensive correction order, saying Bettles had been held on remand for about six months and served approximately 14 in home detention. Mr Wrench said without "diluting" what occurred, the offences were committed against a backdrop of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) acquired from his client's role as a police officer. The former senior constable, who joined the force in 2013, 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. "The mental health issues are severe," Mr Wrench submitted. Mr Wrench said Bettles was granted Supreme Court bail largely to allow him to continue receiving treatment from a psychologist and psychiatrist, describing the incidents as "all singular acts of violence". The Crown Prosecutor disputed that they could be characterised as "singular outbursts" but rather a "series of events", while accepting PTSD was a matter to be taken into account. The Crown argued material before the court showed what appeared to be an "unwillingness" to accept responsibility for the conduct. Bettles, who is no longer employed by NSW Police, will be sentenced on Monday afternoon.
BBC News
19-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Lowestoft goalie knocked unconscious thanks club and medics
A goalkeeper who was knocked unconscious during a non-league football match has thanked his club and everyone else involved in the care he received. Warren Burwood was in goal for Lowestoft Town at AFC Telford United's ground in Wellington, Shropshire, when he clashed with an opposing player at about 15:30 BST on Friday. Play was suspended in the Southern League Premier Central match for more than an hour as the player could not be his thanks on X, Burwood gave a "special shout out" to Telford's goalkeeper, Brandon Hall, who had visited him in hospital. Two ambulances were called to Telford's Seah stadium, where crews administered treatment to the player behind medical screens erected by club was moved from the pitch more than an hour after suffering his player posted that support and kind messages he had received were "greatly appreciated"."Special thanks to both physio teams and club doctor," he said. Medical staff and volunteers who dealt with the situation did so in an "excellent manner," said AFC Telford. The game eventually ended just after 18:15, with Telford winning 7-1. Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
18-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Lowestoft v Telford football match suspended after player injured
A non-league football match was suspended for more than an hour after the visiting goalkeeper suffered a serious injury during Burwood was in goal for Lowestoft Town at AFC Telford United's ground in Wellington, Shropshire, when he clashed with an opposing player at about 15:35 was suspended in the Southern League Premier Central match, as the player was unable to be moved pending medical Telford United officials told BBC Radio Shropshire that Burwood had been knocked unconscious but later came round and had made a video call to family members. Two ambulances were called to Telford's Seah stadium, where crews administered treatment to the player behind medical screens erected by club was moved from the pitch more than an hour after suffering his commentator Scott Harris said the clubs were both committed to continuing the match, despite the lengthy suspension of game eventually restarted at about 16:50, with Telford leading in the first half. Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
