Latest news with #SimonGlasser
7NEWS
15-05-2025
- 7NEWS
Villawood detainee accused of stabbing two contractors and fleeing shortly before he was due to be deported
A Tongan national remains on the run after allegedly stabbing his way to freedom shortly before he was set to be deported. The 28-year-old detainee was in a car on the way from Villawood Immigration Detention Centre to Sydney Airport when he allegedly attacked two guards on James Ruse Dr at Clyde and fled into the night. 54-year-old man was stabbed in the neck and cheek, and a 36-year-old male contractor was assaulted about 3.40am, police said. 'We believe while he was in the vehicle he's assaulted both the driver and passenger, allowing him to escape the car,' detective superintendent Simon Glasser said. It is understood the detainee was set to be deported for overstaying his visa in Australia. Police raced to the scene to help the injured, while the dog unit searched nearby bushland. The wanted man was last seeing heading towards Harris Park. The two workers were taken to Westmead Hospital and are in a stable condition. Clothing, documents and a sharp object were among the evidence collected at the scene. The exact circumstances surrounding the escape, including whether the detainee was handcuffed, is 'forming part of our inquiries', Glasser said. The man is known to frequent Mount Pritchard, with police on alert across Sydney's southwest He is described as Pacific Islander/Maori in appearance, with a tanned complexion, a large build, about 180cm tall with black hair, dark eyes and is unshaven. Members of the public have been told not to approach him and contact police if they have information. The Australian Border Force has paused transport and escort activity while they investigate.
7NEWS
15-05-2025
- 7NEWS
Border official attacked taking man from Villawood Detention Centre to Sydney Airport
A search is underway for a man who attacked two immigration detention centre contractors transferring him to an airport. The 28-year-old Tongan man was being driven from Villawood Detention Centre to Sydney Airport when the driver and passenger were attacked with a 'sharpened metal object' about 3.40am, police told reporters on Thursday. A 54-year-old man was stabbed in the neck and a 36-year-old man was assaulted during the attack. The detainee fled at Clyde with police dogs tracking him as heading towards Harris Park, Superintendent Simon Glasser said. 'We are working closely with Australian Border Force and (the Department of Home Affairs),' he said. 'The victims are contractors who work for Villawood Detention Centre.' The man is described as unshaven with a large build and about 180cm tall and was last seen wearing a dark jacket and pants with black and white sneakers. He is known to police and frequents Mount Pritchard and other areas in southwest Sydney. 'This was obviously a violent offence that's occurred so we do ask members of the public to be wary if they believe they see him and contact us, not to approach him,' Supt Glasser said. Both contractors were taken to Westmead Hospital but their injuries are not considered to be serious.
Daily Mirror
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Urgent manhunt for violent yob after he attacks two immigration officers
A manhunt is underway for a thug who stabbed two immigration officials who were taking him to an airport. The 28-year-old man, who police say is a Tongan National, was being transported to the hub - where it is understood he was supposed to be sent on a flight out of Australia - when he assaulted the employees. The victims; a 54-year-old man and a 36-year-old man, were dashed to hospital. The horror happened in James Ruse Drive in Clyde, Sydney, at around 3.40am local time (6.40pm Wednesday UK time) shortly after the Australian Border Force staff had left an address in Villawood, Canterbury-Bankstown for Sydney Airport, a drive which should take less than 30 minutes. But during it, the Tongan National attacked the men, reportedly with a knife, leaving the older man with a neck wound and his colleague with a cheek injury. They are in hospital with injuries thought not to be life threatening. The assailant, who is known to police is now on the run, police say. New South Wales Police Superintendent Simon Glasser said: "The male is known to frequent the Mount Pritchard and south-west Sydney areas and was last tracked by dog squad toward Harris Park. We ask members of the public to be vigilant ... this was obviously a violent offence that occurred. We ask the public to be wary. If they they see the male they should contact us not to approach him." Immigration is hot topic abroad and here at the moment. Keir Starmer had divided opinion in the UK by this weekwarning the UK could become a "nation of strangers" as he unveiled plans to tackle the matter. These include stricter English language requirements, an end of overseas recruitment for social care workers and stricter rules for students. And the man in Sydney is a Tongan national, New South Wales Police confirmed. He's described as being of Pacific Islander/Maori appearance, with a tanned complexion, a large build, about 180cm tall with black hair, dark eyes and is unshaven. At the time, he was wearing a black coat, black track trousers and black and white trainers. Detectives recovered a sharp metal object from the scene but are appealing for information from the public to snag the yob. A spokesman for New South Wales Police said: "Officers attached to Cumberland Police Area Command, with assistance of specialist police including the Dog Unit are continuing to search the two injured men are being treated at Westmead Hospital; police have been told the injuries are not considered to be serious." In Australia, migrants only have to have lived in the country for four years on a visa before they can begin to apply for citizenship. Currently, foreign students in UK universities can stay on for two years after they finish their degree, via the graduate visa route. The new changes will reduce this period to just 18 months. Graduates in Australia, though, can stay up to twice as long on a graduate visa, from two to three years.
West Australian
15-05-2025
- West Australian
Immigration contractors attacked taking man to airport
A search is underway for a man who attacked two immigration detention centre contractors transferring him to an airport. The 28-year-old Tongan man was being driven from Villawood Detention Centre to Sydney Airport when the driver and passenger were attacked with a "sharpened metal object" about 3.40am, police told reporters on Thursday. A 54-year-old man was stabbed in the neck and a 36-year-old man was assaulted during the attack. The detainee fled at Clyde with police dogs tracking him as heading towards Harris Park, Superintendent Simon Glasser said. "We are working closely with Australian Border Force and (the Department of Home Affairs)," he said. "The victims are contractors who work for Villawood Detention Centre." The man is described as unshaven with a large build and about 180cm tall and was last seen wearing a dark jacket and pants with black and white sneakers. He is known to police and frequents Mount Pritchard and other areas in southwest Sydney. "This was obviously a violent offence that's occurred so we do ask members of the public to be wary if they believe they see him and contact us, not to approach him," Supt Glasser said. Both contractors were taken to Westmead Hospital but their injuries are not considered to be serious.
Perth Now
15-05-2025
- Perth Now
Immigration contractors attacked taking man to airport
A search is underway for a man who attacked two immigration detention centre contractors transferring him to an airport. The 28-year-old Tongan man was being driven from Villawood Detention Centre to Sydney Airport when the driver and passenger were attacked with a "sharpened metal object" about 3.40am, police told reporters on Thursday. A 54-year-old man was stabbed in the neck and a 36-year-old man was assaulted during the attack. The detainee fled at Clyde with police dogs tracking him as heading towards Harris Park, Superintendent Simon Glasser said. "We are working closely with Australian Border Force and (the Department of Home Affairs)," he said. "The victims are contractors who work for Villawood Detention Centre." The man is described as unshaven with a large build and about 180cm tall and was last seen wearing a dark jacket and pants with black and white sneakers. He is known to police and frequents Mount Pritchard and other areas in southwest Sydney. "This was obviously a violent offence that's occurred so we do ask members of the public to be wary if they believe they see him and contact us, not to approach him," Supt Glasser said. Both contractors were taken to Westmead Hospital but their injuries are not considered to be serious.
