Latest news with #NSWCrimeCommission
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- The Advertiser
'We need her home so she can have dignity': grieving mum welcomes inquiry
Police are reviewing links between historic sexual assaults and missing Bathurst teen Jessica Small as they inch closer to a second inquest. NSW Police revealed on May 7 that new information had come to light in the case, identifying additional witnesses in Jessica's case. Those witnesses are now working with the NSW Crime Commission to progress the investigation. Jessica Small, aged 15, was last seen in the early hours of Sunday, October 26, 1997 after attending the Amuse Me amusement centre on Russell Street, Bathurst with a female friend. The girls were attempting to hitchhike home and entered a white-coloured sedan driven by an unknown man. Police were told the man stopped the car on Hereford Street, Bathurst and turned off the headlights before assaulting both girls, attempting to detain them in the vehicle. Jessica's friend was able to escape and alert nearby residents, but the car drove off with Jessica still inside. Investigators believe the last sighting of the vehicle was near Duramana Road and Willott Close, Eglinton, travelling toward Hill End. Head of homicide, Sydney-based Detective Superintendent Joe Doueihi, said police are now looking at a number of sexual assaults which occurred in the Bathurst area around 1997, and the possibility they are related to Jessica's abduction. As the investigation progresses, he said they are appealing to anyone who may have had reservations about speaking with police at the time to come forward now. In an interview with A Current Affair, Supt Doueihi said police obtained information about the historic sexual assaults, which, while resolved, are now being revisited as part of Jessica's case. "We believe that this matter may somehow be related to those matters. "This investigation has never really been closed. It has been an active investigation for numerous years." Supt Doueihi said police had utilised the coercive powers of the NSW Crime Commission, telling A Current Affair "they have additional powers and resources that the NSW Police do not have, and we've called upon their services to assist us with this investigation". Almost 28 years after her daughter's abduction, Ricki Small clings to the hope that one day she will be able to bring Jessica home. And news earlier this month that a second inquest is planned into her daughter's 1997 disappearance has renewed her hope it will happen. "That's the most important thing to me," Ms Small said. "We need this solved so Jess can have dignity, peace and rest." She said she was glad police are still on Jessica's case. "Obviously I'm really happy with the new inquest," she said. Reflecting on the almost 28 years since Jessica was taken, she said it's like time has stood still while also moving on. "All these years have gone by; really, I'm amazed I'm still standing. "It's been a horrendous road." She said the trauma is there every single day. "I still live in Bathurst and there's things that remind me all the time. "There's the park [where the girls got in the car] and everywhere in Bathurst really. "I think where she would be and where she could be. "It's a sad existence, one part moving on in life while another will always be with Jess, back in October 1997. "Even my grandson Josh, he's 30 now. "He was two when she was taken. "Josh has kids himself now, which makes Jess a great-aunty. "The years, they all add up. "You always wonder what if. "Obviously, I've done some grieving over the years and now I would dearly love for the case to be solved and to bring her home. "That's what's most important to me, to bring her home. "We need this solved. We need her home so she can have dignity, rest and peace." But even if that happens, Ms Small knows that would lead to yet another road of grief for her. "It really never ends, it never will," she said. "But we love her, we want her home." She said any new witnesses "could shed a light on things" and that's what she is hanging her hope on. "I'm hoping for the best," she said, adding the years had taken their toll. "But I can't live back then [in 1997] and it can't be fixed." Police are reviewing links between historic sexual assaults and missing Bathurst teen Jessica Small as they inch closer to a second inquest. NSW Police revealed on May 7 that new information had come to light in the case, identifying additional witnesses in Jessica's case. Those witnesses are now working with the NSW Crime Commission to progress the investigation. Jessica Small, aged 15, was last seen in the early hours of Sunday, October 26, 1997 after attending the Amuse Me amusement centre on Russell Street, Bathurst with a female friend. The girls were attempting to hitchhike home and entered a white-coloured sedan driven by an unknown man. Police were told the man stopped the car on Hereford Street, Bathurst and turned off the headlights before assaulting both girls, attempting to detain them in the vehicle. Jessica's friend was able to escape and alert nearby residents, but the car drove off with Jessica still inside. Investigators believe the last sighting of the vehicle was near Duramana Road and Willott Close, Eglinton, travelling toward Hill End. Head of homicide, Sydney-based Detective Superintendent Joe Doueihi, said police are now looking at a number of sexual assaults which occurred in the Bathurst area around 1997, and the possibility they are related to Jessica's abduction. As the investigation progresses, he said they are appealing to anyone who may have had reservations about speaking with police at the time to come forward now. In an interview with A Current Affair, Supt Doueihi said police obtained information about the historic sexual assaults, which, while resolved, are now being revisited as part of Jessica's case. "We believe that this matter may somehow be related to those matters. "This investigation has never really been closed. It has been an active investigation for numerous years." Supt Doueihi said police had utilised the coercive powers of the NSW Crime Commission, telling A Current Affair "they have additional powers and resources that the NSW Police do not have, and we've called upon their services to assist us with this investigation". Almost 28 years after her daughter's abduction, Ricki Small clings to the hope that one day she will be able to bring Jessica home. And news earlier this month that a second inquest is planned into her daughter's 1997 disappearance has renewed her hope it will happen. "That's the most important thing to me," Ms Small said. "We need this solved so Jess can have dignity, peace and rest." She said she was glad police are still on Jessica's case. "Obviously I'm really happy with the new inquest," she said. Reflecting on the almost 28 years since Jessica was taken, she said it's like time has stood still while also moving on. "All these years have gone by; really, I'm amazed I'm still standing. "It's been a horrendous road." She said the trauma is there every single day. "I still live in Bathurst and there's things that remind me all the time. "There's the park [where the girls got in the car] and everywhere in Bathurst really. "I think where she would be and where she could be. "It's a sad existence, one part moving on in life while another will always be with Jess, back in October 1997. "Even my grandson Josh, he's 30 now. "He was two when she was taken. "Josh has kids himself now, which makes Jess a great-aunty. "The years, they all add up. "You always wonder what if. "Obviously, I've done some grieving over the years and now I would dearly love for the case to be solved and to bring her home. "That's what's most important to me, to bring her home. "We need this solved. We need her home so she can have dignity, rest and peace." But even if that happens, Ms Small knows that would lead to yet another road of grief for her. "It really never ends, it never will," she said. "But we love her, we want her home." She said any new witnesses "could shed a light on things" and that's what she is hanging her hope on. "I'm hoping for the best," she said, adding the years had taken their toll. "But I can't live back then [in 1997] and it can't be fixed." Police are reviewing links between historic sexual assaults and missing Bathurst teen Jessica Small as they inch closer to a second inquest. NSW Police revealed on May 7 that new information had come to light in the case, identifying additional witnesses in Jessica's case. Those witnesses are now working with the NSW Crime Commission to progress the investigation. Jessica Small, aged 15, was last seen in the early hours of Sunday, October 26, 1997 after attending the Amuse Me amusement centre on Russell Street, Bathurst with a female friend. The girls were attempting to hitchhike home and entered a white-coloured sedan driven by an unknown man. Police were told the man stopped the car on Hereford Street, Bathurst and turned off the headlights before assaulting both girls, attempting to detain them in the vehicle. Jessica's friend was able to escape and alert nearby residents, but the car drove off with Jessica still inside. Investigators believe the last sighting of the vehicle was near Duramana Road and Willott Close, Eglinton, travelling toward Hill End. Head of homicide, Sydney-based Detective Superintendent Joe Doueihi, said police are now looking at a number of sexual assaults which occurred in the Bathurst area around 1997, and the possibility they are related to Jessica's abduction. As the investigation progresses, he said they are appealing to anyone who may have had reservations about speaking with police at the time to come forward now. In an interview with A Current Affair, Supt Doueihi said police obtained information about the historic sexual assaults, which, while resolved, are now being revisited as part of Jessica's case. "We believe that this matter may somehow be related to those matters. "This investigation has never really been closed. It has been an active investigation for numerous years." Supt Doueihi said police had utilised the coercive powers of the NSW Crime Commission, telling A Current Affair "they have additional powers and resources that the NSW Police do not have, and we've called upon their services to assist us with this investigation". Almost 28 years after her daughter's abduction, Ricki Small clings to the hope that one day she will be able to bring Jessica home. And news earlier this month that a second inquest is planned into her daughter's 1997 disappearance has renewed her hope it will happen. "That's the most important thing to me," Ms Small said. "We need this solved so Jess can have dignity, peace and rest." She said she was glad police are still on Jessica's case. "Obviously I'm really happy with the new inquest," she said. Reflecting on the almost 28 years since Jessica was taken, she said it's like time has stood still while also moving on. "All these years have gone by; really, I'm amazed I'm still standing. "It's been a horrendous road." She said the trauma is there every single day. "I still live in Bathurst and there's things that remind me all the time. "There's the park [where the girls got in the car] and everywhere in Bathurst really. "I think where she would be and where she could be. "It's a sad existence, one part moving on in life while another will always be with Jess, back in October 1997. "Even my grandson Josh, he's 30 now. "He was two when she was taken. "Josh has kids himself now, which makes Jess a great-aunty. "The years, they all add up. "You always wonder what if. "Obviously, I've done some grieving over the years and now I would dearly love for the case to be solved and to bring her home. "That's what's most important to me, to bring her home. "We need this solved. We need her home so she can have dignity, rest and peace." But even if that happens, Ms Small knows that would lead to yet another road of grief for her. "It really never ends, it never will," she said. "But we love her, we want her home." She said any new witnesses "could shed a light on things" and that's what she is hanging her hope on. "I'm hoping for the best," she said, adding the years had taken their toll. "But I can't live back then [in 1997] and it can't be fixed." Police are reviewing links between historic sexual assaults and missing Bathurst teen Jessica Small as they inch closer to a second inquest. NSW Police revealed on May 7 that new information had come to light in the case, identifying additional witnesses in Jessica's case. Those witnesses are now working with the NSW Crime Commission to progress the investigation. Jessica Small, aged 15, was last seen in the early hours of Sunday, October 26, 1997 after attending the Amuse Me amusement centre on Russell Street, Bathurst with a female friend. The girls were attempting to hitchhike home and entered a white-coloured sedan driven by an unknown man. Police were told the man stopped the car on Hereford Street, Bathurst and turned off the headlights before assaulting both girls, attempting to detain them in the vehicle. Jessica's friend was able to escape and alert nearby residents, but the car drove off with Jessica still inside. Investigators believe the last sighting of the vehicle was near Duramana Road and Willott Close, Eglinton, travelling toward Hill End. Head of homicide, Sydney-based Detective Superintendent Joe Doueihi, said police are now looking at a number of sexual assaults which occurred in the Bathurst area around 1997, and the possibility they are related to Jessica's abduction. As the investigation progresses, he said they are appealing to anyone who may have had reservations about speaking with police at the time to come forward now. In an interview with A Current Affair, Supt Doueihi said police obtained information about the historic sexual assaults, which, while resolved, are now being revisited as part of Jessica's case. "We believe that this matter may somehow be related to those matters. "This investigation has never really been closed. It has been an active investigation for numerous years." Supt Doueihi said police had utilised the coercive powers of the NSW Crime Commission, telling A Current Affair "they have additional powers and resources that the NSW Police do not have, and we've called upon their services to assist us with this investigation". Almost 28 years after her daughter's abduction, Ricki Small clings to the hope that one day she will be able to bring Jessica home. And news earlier this month that a second inquest is planned into her daughter's 1997 disappearance has renewed her hope it will happen. "That's the most important thing to me," Ms Small said. "We need this solved so Jess can have dignity, peace and rest." She said she was glad police are still on Jessica's case. "Obviously I'm really happy with the new inquest," she said. Reflecting on the almost 28 years since Jessica was taken, she said it's like time has stood still while also moving on. "All these years have gone by; really, I'm amazed I'm still standing. "It's been a horrendous road." She said the trauma is there every single day. "I still live in Bathurst and there's things that remind me all the time. "There's the park [where the girls got in the car] and everywhere in Bathurst really. "I think where she would be and where she could be. "It's a sad existence, one part moving on in life while another will always be with Jess, back in October 1997. "Even my grandson Josh, he's 30 now. "He was two when she was taken. "Josh has kids himself now, which makes Jess a great-aunty. "The years, they all add up. "You always wonder what if. "Obviously, I've done some grieving over the years and now I would dearly love for the case to be solved and to bring her home. "That's what's most important to me, to bring her home. "We need this solved. We need her home so she can have dignity, rest and peace." But even if that happens, Ms Small knows that would lead to yet another road of grief for her. "It really never ends, it never will," she said. "But we love her, we want her home." She said any new witnesses "could shed a light on things" and that's what she is hanging her hope on. "I'm hoping for the best," she said, adding the years had taken their toll. "But I can't live back then [in 1997] and it can't be fixed."
West Australian
10-05-2025
- West Australian
Cocaine bust: Crime authorities raid boat and seize monster $623m drug haul off coast of NSW
Australian crime-fighting authorities have made one of the biggest drug busts in the nation's history after a boat off the coast of NSW was intercepted and police seized over $600m worth of cocaine. The incredible haul had to be seen to be believed as officers unloaded block upon block onto the dock of a Coffs Harbour marina. Police will allege the uncovered approximately 1,110 blocks of cocaine, weighing 1.039 tonnes inside the vessel. The amount of the seized cocaine equates to over a million individual hits according to police experts, with an estimated potential street value of $623.4 million. Organised Crime Squad detectives charged five people after obtaining intelligence in relation to the suspicious purchase of a 13m motor cruiser, with a large sum of cash, in Sydney's Sutherland Shire on Monday April 28. Investigators targeting drug supply and money laundering began a collaboration with the NSW Crime Commission and Australian Federal Police, to gather information on those involved. Officers monitored the group as they travelled north up the NSW coast and Friday, as the vessel travelled back to shore towards South West Rocks it was intercepted by the NSWPF Marine Area Command at around 9.30am. Two men, aged 24 and 26, were arrested on board before being taken taken to Coffs Harbour Police Station. Police then swooped simultaneously on three men aged 28, 29 and 35 and they were arrested on shore after investigators stopped two vehicles attempting to leave the South West Rocks area, before they were taken to Taree Police Station for questioning. Forensic specialists are examining the seized drugs and will be conducting further testing to determine the exact weight and purity of the drugs. Four search warrants were then executed at homes in the Newcastle suburbs of Beresfield and Edgeworth, Belmont North and Cardiff South, with police seizing electronic devices, documents and clothing. A further search warrant was executed by the AFP at a home at Catherine Hill Bay, where they seized communications devices and cash. NSW Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Jason Weinstein said the arrests are a testament to how rapidly policing resources can coordinate and stop significant amounts of drug coming into the country. 'Whether on land or sea, NSW Police have the investigative capability to disrupt and undermine criminal enterprise,' A/Assistant Commissioner Weinstein said. 'This seizure shows how our continuous monitoring of known organised crime methodologies with our law enforcement partners, can be actioned into a successful multi-agency operation with those involved immediately arrested to prevent illicit drugs entering NSW. 'Our ability to pivot and protect the community is evident in this week's actions. Make no mistake these drugs, if allowed to enter our communities, would have had devastating impacts on people's lives and social cohesion, particularly in regional townships. 'The NSW Police Force is committed to protecting our citizens and are proud of the work being done to shut down and suppress organised crime and place those responsible before the courts.' The two men at Coffs Harbour were charged with supplying a prohibited drug in a large commercial quantity and participating in a criminal group. The three men at Taree were also charged with taking part in supplying a prohibited drug in large commercial quantity and participating in criminal group. They all appeared at Parramatta Bail Court on Saturday, where they were all formally refused bail to appear at Coffs Harbour Local Court on Tuesday July 15. AFP Assistant Commissioner Stephen Dametto said Australian law enforcement agencies were committed to crippling and dismantling organised crime groups motivated by greed and indifferent to the devastation caused by their actions. 'The AFP and NSW Police Force have a long history of disrupting criminal networks attempting to import drugs that destroy our community. Combining our resources and expertise allows us to get successful outcomes like the one we are announcing today,' Assistant Commissioner Dametto said. 'Australia's vast coastline is attractive to organised crime groups, who attempt to exploit this by trying to import drugs using boats. The bad news for them is the AFP will continue to work together with our partners to target organised crime syndicates who wrongly believe they can operate with impunity. 'Importation of drugs via the sea is inherently dangerous, and criminals using this smuggling method risk both their freedom and their lives.'
Perth Now
10-05-2025
- Perth Now
Monster $623m cocaine boat bust off NSW coast
Australian crime-fighting authorities have made one of the biggest drug busts in the nation's history after a boat off the coast of NSW was intercepted and police seized over $600m worth of cocaine. The incredible haul had to be seen to be believed as officers unloaded block upon block onto the dock of a Coffs Harbour marina. Police will allege the uncovered approximately 1,110 blocks of cocaine, weighing 1.039 tonnes inside the vessel. The amount of the seized cocaine equates to over a million individual hits according to police experts, with an estimated potential street value of $623.4 million. Police have made a massive cocaine bust off the coast of NSW. Credit: NSW Police. Organised Crime Squad detectives charged five people after obtaining intelligence in relation to the suspicious purchase of a 13m motor cruiser, with a large sum of cash, in Sydney's Sutherland Shire on Monday April 28. Investigators targeting drug supply and money laundering began a collaboration with the NSW Crime Commission and Australian Federal Police, to gather information on those involved. Officers monitored the group as they travelled north up the NSW coast and Friday, as the vessel travelled back to shore towards South West Rocks it was intercepted by the NSWPF Marine Area Command at around 9.30am. Police have made a massive cocaine bust off the coast of NSW. Credit: NSW Police. Two men, aged 24 and 26, were arrested on board before being taken taken to Coffs Harbour Police Station. Police then swooped simultaneously on three men aged 28, 29 and 35 and they were arrested on shore after investigators stopped two vehicles attempting to leave the South West Rocks area, before they were taken to Taree Police Station for questioning. Forensic specialists are examining the seized drugs and will be conducting further testing to determine the exact weight and purity of the drugs. Four search warrants were then executed at homes in the Newcastle suburbs of Beresfield and Edgeworth, Belmont North and Cardiff South, with police seizing electronic devices, documents and clothing. Police have made a massive cocaine bust off the coast of NSW. Credit: NSW Police. A further search warrant was executed by the AFP at a home at Catherine Hill Bay, where they seized communications devices and cash. NSW Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Jason Weinstein said the arrests are a testament to how rapidly policing resources can coordinate and stop significant amounts of drug coming into the country. 'Whether on land or sea, NSW Police have the investigative capability to disrupt and undermine criminal enterprise,' A/Assistant Commissioner Weinstein said. 'This seizure shows how our continuous monitoring of known organised crime methodologies with our law enforcement partners, can be actioned into a successful multi-agency operation with those involved immediately arrested to prevent illicit drugs entering NSW. 'Our ability to pivot and protect the community is evident in this week's actions. Make no mistake these drugs, if allowed to enter our communities, would have had devastating impacts on people's lives and social cohesion, particularly in regional townships. 'The NSW Police Force is committed to protecting our citizens and are proud of the work being done to shut down and suppress organised crime and place those responsible before the courts.' Police have made a massive cocaine bust off the coast of NSW. Credit: NSW Police. The two men at Coffs Harbour were charged with supplying a prohibited drug in a large commercial quantity and participating in a criminal group. The three men at Taree were also charged with taking part in supplying a prohibited drug in large commercial quantity and participating in criminal group. They all appeared at Parramatta Bail Court on Saturday, where they were all formally refused bail to appear at Coffs Harbour Local Court on Tuesday July 15. AFP Assistant Commissioner Stephen Dametto said Australian law enforcement agencies were committed to crippling and dismantling organised crime groups motivated by greed and indifferent to the devastation caused by their actions. 'The AFP and NSW Police Force have a long history of disrupting criminal networks attempting to import drugs that destroy our community. Combining our resources and expertise allows us to get successful outcomes like the one we are announcing today,' Assistant Commissioner Dametto said. 'Australia's vast coastline is attractive to organised crime groups, who attempt to exploit this by trying to import drugs using boats. The bad news for them is the AFP will continue to work together with our partners to target organised crime syndicates who wrongly believe they can operate with impunity. 'Importation of drugs via the sea is inherently dangerous, and criminals using this smuggling method risk both their freedom and their lives.'
7NEWS
10-05-2025
- 7NEWS
Family member charged with manslaughter over 2023 death of four-week-old baby
A family member charged with manslaughter more than a year after the 'abhorrent' death of a four-week-old baby has been granted bail. Police arrested a 26-year-old man on Friday morning over the July 2023 death of the boy in Wagga Wagga, NSW. The man, who police said was a family member, brought the baby to Wagga Wagga Base Hospital suffering a critical illness along with other injuries that were allegedly deliberately inflicted. Those injuries included multiple broken bones, police said. The infant died three days later at the Sydney Children's Hospital. The man was granted bail on a $10,000 surety after facing Albury Local Court charged with manslaughter on Friday. He is next due before Wagga Wagga Local Court in July. Detective Inspector Peter Owen said the death had profoundly impacted those in the southern NSW community. 'All of these matters, including this, deeply impact the people who are associated, whether they be teachers, health workers, police, the extended family and community members,' he told reporters on Friday. 'The death of an infant is tragic — where there are suspected inflicted injuries, it's another level that is abhorrent to people.' The man was arrested in Albury on the NSW-Victorian border and charged with domestic violence-related manslaughter. He was visiting other children when arrested, Det Insp Owen said. He was not adversely known to police before the incident. Police declined to confirm whether the suspect was the deceased infant's father. The years-long investigation into the death involved assistance from the secretive NSW Crime Commission. 'It's coming up to two years of consistent, dedicated work from a small team of regional detectives,' Det Insp Owen said. 'The dedication and devotion to this job is an absolute credit to those detectives.' The baby is survived by two siblings, police said. If you need help in a crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Perth Now
09-05-2025
- Perth Now
Manslaughter accused brought injured baby to hospital
A family member charged with manslaughter more than a year after the "abhorrent" death of a four-week-old baby has been granted bail. Police arrested a 26-year-old man on Friday morning over the July 2023 death of the boy in Wagga Wagga. The man, who police said was a family member, brought the baby to Wagga Wagga Base Hospital suffering a critical illness along with other injuries that were allegedly deliberately inflicted. Those injuries included multiple broken bones, police said. The infant died three days later at the Sydney Children's Hospital. The man was granted bail on a $10,000 surety after facing Albury Local Court charged with manslaughter on Friday. He is next due before Wagga Wagga Local Court in July. Detective Inspector Peter Owen said the death had profoundly impacted those in the southern NSW community. "All of these matters, including this, deeply impact the people who are associated, whether they be teachers, health workers, police, the extended family and community members," he told reporters on Friday. "The death of an infant is tragic - where there are suspected inflicted injuries, it's another level that is abhorrent to people." The man was arrested in Albury on the NSW-Victorian border and charged with domestic violence-related manslaughter. He was visiting other children when arrested, Det Insp Owen said. He was not adversely known to police before the incident. Police declined to confirm whether the suspect was the deceased infant's father. The years-long investigation into the death involved assistance from the secretive NSW Crime Commission. "It's coming up to two years of consistent, dedicated work from a small team of regional detectives," Det Insp Owen said. "The dedication and devotion to this job is an absolute credit to those detectives." The baby is survived by two siblings, police said. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14
