Latest news with #MagistratesCourt
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Perth Now
Jackasses cop 60-plus charges for alleged car thefts in Jackass Flat and other parts of Victoria
Two alleged car thieves in regional Victoria have been charged with more than 60 offences between them, after they were allegedly involved in more than 20 incidents between April 29 and May 28, 2025. Victoria Police alleges the incidents occurred across multiple suburbs in the Bendigo region, including Castlemaine, Epsom, Flora Hill, Ironbark, Jackass Flat, Junortoun, Kangaroo Flat, Kennington, North Bendigo, and White Hills. Police executed four search warrants on May 28 at addresses in California Gully, Bendigo, North Bendigo and Kangaroo Flat, and allegedly seized 'multiple items of interest' including a stolen Subaru, a Holden Colorado, stolen credit cards, tools connected to alleged car thefts, and an imitation firearm. The investigation remains ongoing, though police detailed the pair's spate of offences. That included the theft of two Toyota Corollas in Kennington on May 1, with one found burnt out a short time later. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Supplied Credit: CarExpert A Toyota RAV4 stolen and crashed in an unrelated offence On May 13, six cars were allegedly broken into at a Bendigo university car park, while on May 16 a Toyota RAV4 containing more than $12,000 worth of personal items and camping gear was allegedly stolen near a hospital. This vehicle, too, was later found burnt out. A car's on-board diagnostics system was also alleged to have been tampered with at a Castlemaine car dealership. A 21-year-old Bendigo man was arrested and charged with 43 offences, including theft from a motor vehicle, theft of a motor vehicle, attempted theft from a motor vehicle, criminal damage and criminal damage by fire. Other alleged offences included committing an indictable offence while on bail, contravening conditions of bail, and a prohibited person possessing a firearm. He was remanded to appear at Bendigo Magistrates Court at a later date. Supplied Credit: CarExpert A burnt out car in Queensland. A 20-year-old Bendigo man is facing 22 charges. These include similar theft and criminal damage offences, as well as obtaining property by deception and driving unlicensed. He's also in custody and is appearing at Bendigo Magistrates Court today. 'This type of alleged offending causes real harm to victims and impacts people just going about their daily lives,' said Western Region Division Five investigation and response manager Detective Inspector Dan Davison. 'We've worked methodically to piece this together, and the arrests are the result of some solid detective work. 'The community can be assured we're doing everything we can to hold those responsible to account. 'We hope these arrests send a strong message and put a stop to the recent spate of vehicle-related offences we've seen across Bendigo & surrounding areas of the community.'
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Perth Now
Disturbing find in ‘toy' package
A man's attempt to import a series of exotic animals into Australia – some of which died during the ill-fated voyage – has been exposed after the plot was foiled by border force officials. Queensland man Jesse Sayeg was this week handed a nine-month jail term after pleading guilty in Caloundra Magistrates Court to three offences related to the illegal importation of live exotic animals. The case was cracked open in March 2023 when Australian Border Force (ABF) officers became suspicious of a package sent from the Philippines. A strong odour from the package prompted them to alert the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF). A Queensland man has been handed a nine-month prison sentence after admitting his involvement in a global wildlife trafficking ring that smuggled exotic animals into Australia. DAFF Credit: Supplied An X-ray of the parcel, which has been misdeclared as 'toys' and sent under a false name, revealed a consignment of reptiles and spiders. A DAFF veterinarian opened the package to discover three snakes, six iguanas, three soft shell turtles and three tarantulas stuffed into calico drawstring bags. Many of the animals were dead. The discovery launched a two-year, multi-agency investigation dubbed Operation Cascade, which uncovered a broader criminal network spanning three Australian states including Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia. Jesse Sayeg appeared in Caloundra Magistrates Court this week, where he admitted to three offences related to the illegal importation of live tortoises and turtles. DAFF Credit: Supplied Subsequent search warrants led authorities to seize a further trove of exotic species, including two hog nose snakes, 45 tarantulas, three eco-skeleton spiders, two scorpions, an African hedgehog and an alligator snapping turtle. DAFF Deputy Secretary of Biosecurity, Operations and Compliance, Justine Saunders, warned of the serious risks posed by such illegal activity. A DAFF veterinarian opened the package to discover three snakes, six iguanas, three soft shell turtles, and three tarantulas stuffed into calico drawstring bags. Many of the animals were dead. DAFF Credit: Supplied DAFF Deputy Secretary of Biosecurity, Operations and Compliance, Justine Saunders, said the illegal introduction of exotic animals into Australia poses a significant threat. 'Exotic animals can carry biosecurity risks and diseases unknown in Australia, potentially devastating agriculture, native wildlife and even human health,' Ms Saunders said. Breaches of Australia's biosecurity laws are treated with the utmost seriousness, carrying penalties of up to 10 years' imprisonment and fines as high as $1.65 million for individuals, or $8.25 million for companies. DAFF Credit: Supplied She said breaches of Australia's biosecurity laws are treated with the utmost seriousness, carrying penalties of up to 10 years' imprisonment and fines as high as $1.65 million for individuals, or $8.25 million for companies. 'DAFF has more than a thousand biosecurity officers working at our borders and in mailrooms every day who are trained to pick up anomalies in the system,' she said. Ms Saunders said wildlife trafficking was a major global crime, ranking just behind arms, drugs and human trafficking in scale. 'DAFF, along with other government agencies, are united in their commitment to eradicate the illicit wildlife trade and will take vigorous and relentless action to seek out those responsible, bring them to justice and stop this global crime.'
Sky News AU
2 days ago
- Sky News AU
Pheobe Bishop's housemate James Wood pictured sleeping in car with dog after Gin Gin property declared crime scene as police discover weapons
Pheobe Bishop's male housemate, who was one of the last people to see the teen before she disappeared, spent the night sleeping in his car after his Gin Gin house was declared a crime scene. Gin Gin couple Tanika Bromley and James Wood were seen driving Pheobe, 17, to Airport Drive, Bundaberg, on May 15 before she vanished without a trace. Footage showed Pheobe never entered the terminal, despite her housemates claiming she was dropped off at the airport. Days after her disappearance, police established two crime scenes; one at the Gin Gin property she was living in with Wood and Bromley, and a second in the grey Hyundai she was last seen occupying. On Thursday, Wood was captured on video at a local park dozing in his car, as he slept in the drivers seat with his dog in the back. He was also seen with his hair coloured blonde and a long grown out beard, marking a drastic change in his appearance prior to Pheobe's disappearance. Speculation about Wood's dogs has run rife since the Gin Gin property was declared a crime scene. Neighbours have reported a stomach-churning smell from the house, as almost a dozen dead dogs were reportedly removed from the property, since police arrival. However, in the latest video Wood's dog appeared alive and sleeping in the backseat of his car. The public sighting of Wood comes after he was charged with weapons-related offences on Wednesday night. "Police allegedly located a shortened firearm and ammunition during a search of a grey Hyundai ix35 and a Gin Gin home, both of which had been declared crime scenes for an unrelated matter," Queensland Police wrote in a statement. Wood has been given a notice to appear before Bundaberg Magistrates Court on June 13. His partner Bromley also faced court just a few days prior to request bail for similar charges. Bromley was arrested in Bundaberg on Sunday, with offences including possession of restricted items and unlawful possession of weapons. Police allegedly located a shortened firearm, ammunition and two replica handguns, inside her grey Hyundai, but she was granted bail for her offences on Tuesday. Magistrate John McInnes told Bundaberg Magistrates Court, the 33-year-old seemed to have an "unhealthy interest" in weaponry, but her limited criminal record and possible subjections to "coercion, violence and duress" were in her favour, the ABC reported. She was granted bail with a curfew, and an order to report to the police station three times a week. Her matter is set to return to court on June 23. It has now been just over two weeks since Pheobe was last seen alive on her way to the airport to meet her high school sweetheart. She is described as approximately 180cm, pale complexion, long dyed red hair, and hazel eyes. Detectives are appealing to anyone with information, vision or sightings of a grey Hyundai ix35 between May 15 to 18 in the greater Gin Gin area to contact police. Her heartbroken mother Kylie Johnson has also urged people to "anyone and everyone" in the rural community of Gin Gin to help bring her daughter home.
7NEWS
2 days ago
- 7NEWS
New police twist as neo-Nazi leader has symbol charge dropped in court
National Socialist Network leader Thomas Sewell has had a criminal charge dropped over his neo-Nazi group's Australia Day weekend protest. Melbourne resident Sewell, 31, was among 17 NSN members arrested after marching in Adelaide in January. On Thursday, a charge of using a Nazi symbol was withdrawn in his criminal case in the Adelaide Magistrates Court. Sewell remains charged with one count of loitering. Since the Australia day arrest, Sewell has since claimed that police wanted to kill members of his neo-Nazi group. He has published audio online that allegedly captures SAPOL officers on Australia Day joking about shooting the neo-Nazi group. 'I'm happy to shoot them,' one person said. 'Happy to?' another person asked. 'I'm happy to shoot them' the first person answered. Sewell is scheduled to return to court next week.
Sky News AU
3 days ago
- Sky News AU
Second housemate of Pheobe Bishop on Gin Gin property faces weapons-related charges as desperate search for Queensland missing teenager continues
A second housemate of missing teenager Pheobe Bishop's has been charged with weapons-related offences after his partner faced court on similar counts just a few days prior. Gin Gin couple Tanika Bromley and James Wood were the last people 17-year-old Pheobe was seen with. The pair drove the now missing teen in a grey Hyundai ix35 to Airport Drive, Bundaberg, on the morning of May 15. The teen was scheduled to fly from Bundaberg to Western Australia, via Brisbane, but never made it to her flight. Footage from the airport also failed to locate Pheobe ever entering the terminal, despite her housemates claiming she was dropped off. Days after her disappearance, police established two crime scenes at the Gin Gin property she was living in with Wood and Bromley, and the grey Hyundai she was last seen in. On Wednesday night police charged Wood with one count each of unlawful possession of weapons Category D/H/R (short firearm) and authority to possess explosives. "Police have charged a man with weapons offences, after police allegedly located a shortened firearm and ammunition during a search of a grey Hyundai ix35 and a Gin Gin home, both of which had been declared crime scenes for an unrelated matter," Queensland Police wrote in a statment. Wood, 34, has been given a notice to appear before Bundaberg Magistrates Court on June 13. Bromley, 33, also faces weapons charges after she was arrested in Bundaberg on Sunday, with offences including possession of restricted items and unlawful possession of weapons. Police allegedly located a shortened firearm, ammunition and two replica handguns, inside her grey Hyundai, but she was granted bail for her offences on Tuesday. Magistrate John McInnes told Bundaberg Magistrates Court, the 33-year-old seemed to have an "unhealthy interest" in weaponry, but her limited criminal record and possible subjections to "coercion, violence and duress" were in her favour, the ABC reported. She was granted bail with a curfew, and an order to report to the police station three times a week. Bromley was seen in public for the first time on Wednesday during a mandatory reporting to the Gin Gin Police station, as part of her bail conditions. The mother-of-two was hounded by journalists with questions relating to Pheobe's disappearance as she was leaving the station, but she remained silent with her head down in a hoodie, while gazing outside the car window. Her matter is set to return to court on June 23. Tanika Bromley's brother, Sean, told his sister had previously been "caught with guns" and "went off the rails" after becoming involved with Wood. "My mother was constantly worried about Tanika and about her grandchildren, Tanika was off the rails," he said. "We all knew she had gone off the rails, so we and many others contacted police, media, children, and animal welfare." Detective Inspector Ryan Thompson said the weapons found in Ms Bromley's car had not been linked to Pheobe's disappearance. Sky News also makes no suggestions Wood or Bromley were involved in Pheobe's disappearance. 'That vehicle was seized by police, it was treated as a crime scene. A number of examinations were conducted on that vehicle and items seized and that has since been released by police,' Det Insp Thompson said. 'There's no suggestion at all that this weapon was involved in this investigation …' As police now look to further locations for evidence relating to Pheobe, a bushland search of the Good Night Scrub has been suspended after five days of scouring through rugged terrain. Specialist police, including the Dog Squad, worked alongside rescue helicopters, divers, and the SES to search the dense bushland and waterways in the area, but the search was called off late Tuesday afternoon. Queensland Police revealed on Saturday some items believed to be linked to the investigation were located during their search and have been seized for forensic processes. Further, detectives also discovered some evidence at the Good Night Scrub may have been moved prior to police arrival, probing police to now expand their search "Investigations are ongoing and police are continuing to run out several lines of enquiry," Queensland Police wrote in a statement on Wednesday morning. "In addition to investigative work, physical searches will continue as needed and as information is provided. "The greater Gin Gin area remains the focus of the investigation." Police are continuing to appeal for information, vision, or sightings of the grey Hyundai ix35 in which Pheobe was last seen travelling between May 15 and 18.
