Latest news with #Illawarra
The Guardian
3 days ago
- General
- The Guardian
Man arrested three decades after NSW woman Pauline Sowry disappeared from Wollongong
A man has been arrested three decades after a New South Wales mother disappeared and three years after her cold case was reopened. Pauline Sowry, also known by her married name Pauline Lawrence, was 49 when last seen by her family in the northern suburbs of Wollongong in December 1993. Her whereabouts remain unknown, although a 2008 coronial inquest found she had died, most likely after an unconfirmed sighting in 1994. Police said a 64-year-old man was arrested on Thursday at a unit in Gywnneville. He remained in custody. Pauline's son, Jason Lawrence, said: 'We have waited more than 30 years.' 'We welcome today's news that a person has been arrested in relation to the suspicious disappearance of our beloved mum,' he said. 'We miss her every day, and her disappearance has taken a huge toll on myself and our entire family. We thank the police officers for never giving up hope and we look forward to the outcome of this investigation.' Police reopened the investigation in 2022. In December 2024, police found black pants and a cream button-down blouse with white and orange stitching after searching the Illawarra escarpment at Figtree. Police did not confirm whether the clothing belonged to Sowry but said the items included hand-stitching in coloured cotton and the mother was known for altering clothing for herself and her children. In March last year, the police and state government announced a $500,000 reward for information leading to the 'arrest and conviction of anyone responsible'. Sign up to Afternoon Update Our Australian afternoon update breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion Responses to that announcement led officers to search bushland, including in October 2024. NSW police's southern region assistant commissioner, Joe Cassar, said on Thursday: 'I made a promise that the NSW police would leave no stone unturned to seek a resolution and the persistence and effort by my officers has resulted in today's arrest.' 'I commend the tireless commitment of our officers in finding answers for Pauline's family and they continue to work hard to bring this matter before the courts,' he said.
News.com.au
3 days ago
- General
- News.com.au
NSW Police arrest man 30 years after disappearance of Illawarra mum Pauline Sowry
A man has been arrested 30 years on from the disappearance of Pauline Sowry. The shock breakthrough in the cold case was announced on Thursday morning and follows the formation of Strike Force Anthea in 2022 that was set up to examine the circumstances surrounding Ms Sowry's disappearance. Ms Sowry, also known by her married name Pauline Lawrence, was 49 years old when she was last seen by her family in the northern suburbs of Wollongong in December 1993. NSW Police Southern Region commander Assistant Commissioner Joe Cassar and Wollongong Police District commander Superintendent Karen Cook police will address the media on the arrest on Thursday. It follows an earlier breakthrough in December last year when the taskforce discovered items of clothing in bushland in the Illawarra region related to the case. Searches in 2023 and 2024 in the area of Figtree near Wollongong turned up a cream button-down long sleeve blouse with a coloured stitching design and black pants. Mr Cassar, speaking in December, said the discoveries could prove crucial in determining Ms Sowry's final movements. 'We are releasing these images to try to jog someone's memory. The clothing includes some hand stitching in coloured cotton and we know Pauline was known for altering both her and her children's clothing, ' he said. 'We are not ruling out further searches as we continue to investigate the circumstances of Pauline's disappearance. 'Pauline's family deserve to know what happened to her and to get some closure following her disappearance.' In a statement from December, Ms Sowry's son Jason Lawrence said he hoped the clothes could lead to a breakthrough in the investigation. 'We don't want to spend another Christmas not knowing what happened to mum. We deserve to know what happened to her and to give her a proper send-off and lay her to rest,' he said. 'It's been 30 years since my mother's disappearance, she's been sadly missed and this has been a devastating effect on our family, including the loss of her two sons, my brothers Paul and Adam, to mental health and her parents, Bill and Pat, who have also passed away not knowing what's happened to their daughter.' A 2008 coronial inquest found that Ms Sowry had died, most likely after an unconfirmed sighting in 1994. In May 2024, police issued a call for information on a white 1968 Holden HK Kingswood sedan said to be in 'pristine' condition that police believed Ms Sowry may have travelled in south of Wollongong.
ABC News
3 days ago
- General
- ABC News
Man arrested in relation to cold case disappearance of NSW mother Pauline Sowry
A man has been arrested in relation to the disappearance of Illawarra mother Pauline Sowry, who went missing more than three decades ago. The 49-year-old, also known by her married name Pauline Lawrence, was last seen by her family in December 1993 in the northern suburbs of Wollongong. A coronial inquest in 2008 found she died, most likely after an unconfirmed sighting in 1994, but the case was reopened in 2022 for investigation by Strike Force Anthea. A $500,000 reward for information leading to a conviction was launched by police and Ms Sowry's family in 2024. Three items of clothing believed to belong to Ms Sowry were recovered during a search of bushland in Wollongong nine months later. More to come.
ABC News
3 days ago
- Business
- ABC News
Nick McLaren
An ABC listener calls for a toll — like the one once active on the old F6 freeway — be imposed on the Illawarra's Grand Pacific Drive to solve congestion for those living along its 140-kilometre length … but is that feasible?
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Daily Mail
Footy star learns his fate after being accused of sexually touching a child
A former NRL player and primary school teacher has been found not guilty of sexually touching a child under 10. Keith Eshman, 38, was acquitted by a jury at Wollongong District Court after a week-long trial. The jury returned its verdict on Friday after just under three hours of deliberation. The charge dated back to November 2022, when Eshman was working as a schoolteacher in the Illawarra region. The complainant, a young girl, alleged Eshman had made her touch him sexually. Eshman denied the allegation and pleaded not guilty from the outset. This was the second trial for the same charge, after a previous jury was unable to reach a verdict. The case was heard before Judge Imad Abdul-Karim and involved testimony from the girl's parents, school staff, police and Eshman himself. Crown prosecutor Nerissa Keay described the child as 'bright' and 'serious' when disclosing the allegation. She told the court the girl became 'distressed' when revealing what had allegedly happened. The Crown's case relied on a recording of the child's evidence, which was played in closed court. Judge Abdul-Karim reminded the jury not to focus on why the girl had been touching herself, but to consider whether the accused was guilty. He noted the complainant's evidence was delivered 'matter of fact' and in a way typical of a young child unfamiliar with sexual matters. He also addressed claims that Eshman had been the subject of touchy behaviour from the girl. Witnesses described her as being 'clingy' and 'touchy-feely' with the teacher. Eshman told the court he would acknowledge her and redirect the behaviour appropriately. Judge Abdul-Karim also referred to internet search history found on Eshman's devices. These included queries about child development, orgasm, and behaviour after abuse. The defence said Eshman made those searches to understand unusual student behaviour. The Crown argued the searches indicated a sexual interest in children. Eshman also kept a personal diary detailing concerns about the girl's conduct at school. The judge reminded the jury that Eshman had spoken with colleagues about the child's behaviour. During closing arguments, defence barrister Matthew Barnes urged jurors to apply common sense. He said the allegation was not supported by any physical evidence or corroboration. The jury returned a unanimous not guilty verdict on the charge. The acquittal brings to an end a three-year legal ordeal for Eshman. He was arrested at the school following the allegation and has faced public scrutiny ever since. Eshman played one NRL game for the Wests Tigers in 2006 as a winger. He later moved into teaching after his short-lived professional rugby league career. Before joining the Tigers, he played junior footy for Quakers Hill Destroyers. He also attended Patrician Brothers' College in Blacktown. Outside of court, Eshman did not speak publicly after the verdict. The complainant, whose identity is legally protected, was not present when the verdict was read. No further charges have been laid.
