Latest news with #CoffsHarbour
ABC News
3 days ago
- ABC News
Loved ones, watchdog raise concerns about NSW Police response to Lindy Lucena's fatal bashing
On the night Lindy Lucena was beaten to death by her abusive partner, Robert Huber, a witness called triple-0 to report "a man was bashing the hell out of this woman" at the location where her body was later found. Police took almost an hour to respond to the call and when an officer did attend the scene, he did not get out of his patrol car to investigate. NSW Police maintains its response that night was "appropriate", despite a Supreme Court judge this month finding it was "likely" Ms Lucena was lying just metres from where that patrol car drove past, badly injured or already dead. Her body was found several hours later when Huber led police back to the scene himself. Ms Lucena's daughter, who has spoken publicly for the first time to ABC News, called for an independent investigation into the police response on the night her mother was killed. Her daughter, who does not want to be named, said she believed her mother could have been saved if the officers had taken the triple-0 call more seriously. "What are they trying to hide in terms of what happened？ "We have to try and avoid situations like this happening again to anyone else." Her daughter wanted to make it clear she was not criticising the detectives who took on the case after her mother's death. Huber was charged with murder and faced trial in Coffs Harbour last month. A judge found Huber not guilty of Ms Lucena's murder, but guilty of manslaughter. Ms Lucena's recent murder trial laid bare the police response on the night she was killed and raised further questions about why the case was never declared a critical incident, which is an investigation overseen by the police watchdog Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC). It is a decision NSW Police continues to defend, telling ABC News an internal review of the case shortly after her death found their response was "appropriate". "At the time the triple-0 call was received, police in the area were attending two incidents of self-harm and a serious motor vehicle crash," a statement said. "Police attended the scene, however, were unable to locate the 64-year-old woman due to inconsistent information provided to emergency services." At the time of Ms Lucena's death, the couple were planning to sleep in the courtyard, having left the Ballina caravan park where they had been living for months after being displaced in the 2022 Lismore floods. In a recording of the triple-0 call, the caller told the operator about 7pm on January 3, 2023: "There's a man bashing the hell out of his woman at the back of the Salvation Army in Ballina." Ms Lucena was found dead in a courtyard alongside the Salvation Army building in Ballina in the early hours of January 4, 2023. The LECC told ABC News it asked NSW Police for an explanation as to why a critical incident was never declared, but the force refused to provide its reasons. "The commission holds concerns about this approach as the commission cannot be satisfied that the discretion was exercised reasonably where the reasons for the decision have not been provided to the commission," the LECC said in a statement. During the trial, the senior constable who responded to the initial triple-0 call told the court he looked at the area where the caller said a woman was being bashed but "didn't need to leave the car to have what I considered to be a good view of those car parks in Holden Lane". "My vision was to that fence. I could not see beyond that fence at all," he told the court. Holden Lane runs behind the Salvation Army building and Ms Lucena's body was found in the courtyard, on the other side of the fence. Ms Lucena's lifetime friend Ann-Marie Bostick believes NSW Police missed an opportunity to save her life. "I believe that had they responded, Lindy would still be alive," she said. "They should've got out of the car, they should've looked … when they get a call about a domestic assault, I believe they should act straight away. "How is that investigating something, by sitting in your car?" Hours after the triple-0 call was made, about 12:45am, Huber walked into Ballina Police Station and told officers he had woken to find his partner of six years dead, with no knowledge of how she had died. In handing down his verdict, Justice Stephen Rothman said "it is likely that the deceased died at or about 7:20pm ... But it may be that she died just after 9:30pm". He said "unfortunately" the police response at 7:55pm was "unhelpful, because of the misunderstanding as to the location of the 'bashing'". Justice Rothman said he could not find Huber guilty of murder because he was "not satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the accused intended to inflict really serious injury" when he assaulted her. "However, the assault was an unlawful and dangerous act which a reasonable person in the position of the accused would have realised exposed the deceased to an appreciable risk of serious injury," he wrote. Ms Lucena's sister Julie Viney, who died last year, previously told ABC News she wanted a critical incident investigation or a coronial inquest into her death. "I think there's a lot of questions to be asked about this particular case." NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley said the case was "deeply distressing" and acknowledged "members of the community have questions about what occurred". "This matter is still before the courts, and we need to let them do their job," the statement said. Huber will face a sentencing hearing in September. Eight days before Ms Lucena's death, Huber was charged with common assault for punching her in the face, causing a black eye. Huber was granted bail by a court registrar in a local court hearing the following day, despite no fixed address being given to the court. He pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm this year. Ms Lucena's daughter said the bail decision was a "catalyst" that ultimately led to her mother's death. In a statement, Acting Attorney-General Kate Washington said the NSW government last year banned registrars from making bail decisions. "This is one of a number of reforms we've implemented to better protect women from domestic and family violence, and we will continue to look at ways the law can be strengthened," she said. For Ms Lucena's daughter, her mother's death at the hands of her violent partner left an immeasurable hole in her life. "My life continues to go on, and she's just not here for the big milestones," she said. She said her mother was a "joker" who "always saw the funny side of things". "She was genuinely one of the funnest people you could ever meet," she said. "She had a heart of gold and would always be there to help her family and friends no matter what." Ms Bostick said Ms Lucena was "dearly loved" by her family and friends. "Lindy mattered, and he has taken more than one person's family away," she said. "It's a huge gap from my life ... I can't pick up the phone and ring her, we would be on the phone several times a day."
News.com.au
6 days ago
- News.com.au
Sergeant Paul Matts, 37, farewelled following sudden death
A police officer aged in his 30s who died suddenly in front of his children has been farewelled at a funeral on Thursday. Paul Leslie Matts, 37, died of a medical event on July 8 while at the beach with his children. The sergeant's family and friends said goodbye at a ceremony at Coffs Harbour on the NSW North Coast on Thursday. An official police portrait of a young, beaming Sergeant Matts was displayed on televisions as wellwishers entered. A video message from Sergeant Matts' father David was played. The speech was prerecorded so his dad could keep his composure. 'Paul talked about coming back to the coast once he worked further up the chain of command. You got here a little sooner than you thought,' David said. 'Your mother and I truly, madly, deeply love you. You might be gone but not forgotten. We'll miss your daily calls, just to chat or, as you would say, 'talk sh*t'. 'When he passed he was doing what he absolutely loved; spending time at the beach with his children.' David said growing up, his son was almost on first-name basis with medical staff at the local clinic, being an adventurous but tough kid. Family friend Jenna spoke at the funeral on behalf of Sergeant Matts' wife Danni. 'You could just tell he was born to be a dad,' she said. 'He stepped into the role of being a stepfather with nothing but affection. He never tried to replace anyone, just showed up.' Younger sister Rebecca said her cheeky, charming brother was a mischievous kid: 'We're just glad he ended up enforcing the law not breaking it.' Sergeant Matts' career began in Penrith in 2009 with undercover work. He went to the mounted police in Sydney and bonded with a horse that was in attendance at the funeral. He then went west to Burren Junction, adopting a horse and a pig. Friends had travelled to the service from the town of Orange. 'He packed more into 37 years than most do in 90,' Rebecca said. He trained racehorses and greyhounds, farmed cucumbers and raised animals. 'That was Paul. Loud in life but quiet in his achievements,' Rebecca said. 'His favourite role to play by far was being a dad. 'Paul's final moments were spent running and playing with his children.' His police medals and patches stood framed at the front of the funeral home. Attendees wore blue ribbon pins. His police hat was placed on his coffin and saluted by colleagues. Acting Superintendent Jason Darcy told the service that Sergeant Matts had received a certificate of merit for professionalism demonstrated during a suicide in 2016. Sergeant Matts was known for particularly caring about the mental health of colleagues, Superintendent Darcy said.
News.com.au
21-07-2025
- News.com.au
Loving father Paul Leslie Matts, 37, dies suddenly while playing with his children on holiday
A family's seaside holiday has ended in heartbreak after a devoted father died suddenly. Police officer Paul Leslie Matts, 37, suffered a fatal medical episode on July 8 while playing with his children on the beach. He is survived by his wife, Danni, their children Harlow and eight-month-old Xavier, as well as his stepchildren Archer and Jasmine. A sergeant with the NSW Police, Mr Matts had served the force for more than 16 years and was previously stationed in Coffs Harbour. Close family friends Jenna McAtamney and Sarah Wilkinson described the loss as devastating. They have launched a GoFundMe page to support his wife and children, who are now 'facing life without their loving dad and stepdad.' 'This loss has left the family devastated and in need of support as they begin to navigate this new reality,' the fundraising page reads. Mr Matts is also mourned by his parents, David and Julie, and his sisters Catherine and Rebecca. During his career, Mr Matts also served as the local officer in the small town of Burren Junction. In 2020, local MP Roy Butler publicly thanked him in parliament for organising a community fun day. 'To repay Burren for being so welcoming, Paul organised a family fun day for the town,' Butler said. 'He moved heaven and earth to put on an afternoon and evening of entertainment – from slip 'n' slides, a visit from Santa, and a raffle for a family holiday. The purpose of the event was twofold: to say thank you and to help people take their minds off the drought. On behalf of Burren Junction, thank you.' McAtamney and Wilkinson said Mr Matts was a 'great father' who 'will be very missed by his children.' They added that Danni is doing everything she can to stay strong for the family but cannot do it alone as she adjusts to the loss and the financial challenges it brings. Friends and loved ones have expressed their grief on social media. 'A beautiful soul gone way too soon. RIP buddy,' one wrote. 'So sorry for your loss David and Julie, thinking of you both,' another shared. 'Thinking of you Julie, David and family, sending my deepest condolences,' a third commented. 'So very sad to see someone so young pass away. RIP,' another added.
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Yahoo
Aussie driver in hysterics after spotting strange sight in ute: 'Best thing ever'
Drivers are often lucky to spot incredible wildlife while travelling along Australian roads, but we don't expect to find the animals inside a vehicle. However, that was the case last week for Arielle Dimech, who was treated to an unusual encounter while visiting her friend in Coffs Harbour. The 30-year-old was visiting from Tamworth, a rural town in northern NSW, and was travelling in the car when her friend started laughing hysterically behind the wheel. Something was peeking its head out of another vehicle's passenger window. "I was just saying how different it was to Tamworth, which is very rural. Then I saw it," Arielle told Yahoo News. "Fair to say I've never seen a bird hanging out a window like that." A native galah was spotted cruising along the road with its owner, feeling the wind in it's feathers. Arielle was quick to pull out her phone and record, capturing the moment that left the friends in stitches. "It was the best thing ever... it was so Australian," she said. 🎥 Incredible phone footage leads to rediscovery of lost species after 46 years 👀 600 kgs of 'hardcore weeding' done to save rare bird from invasive plant 🥲 Shocking find inside bird highlights worrying beach trend More than one million Aussies have a pet bird Arielle explained to Yahoo she had previously trained as a vet nurse and was relieved to spot a safety mechanism attached to the bird to stop it from flying off, or getting injured while travelling in the car. "You could see on the back [of the bird] it had this little random thing, it's a weighted safety pouch," she explained. "It's a good reminder that some people do actually take care of their pets, and you can have a good adventure with your pet whilst keeping them safe." More than one million Australian households have a pet bird, and due to increased apartment living, it's believed birds are becoming more popular as pets, according to the RSPCA. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Driver stunned by galah spotted cruising along Aussie road
Arielle Dimech, 30, spotted a pet galah cruising in a car along a Coffs Harbour road. Video transcript Oh hello, and it's the best thing I've ever seen in my life. Oh man, please.
