Latest news with #TonganNational
ABC News
16-05-2025
- ABC News
Man arrested, charged after immigration detention centre contractors stabbed, assaulted
A 28-year-old man who allegedly stabbed and assaulted two immigration detention centre contractors respectively in Sydney's west has been arrested and charged by police. On Thursday, NSW Police officers were called to Clyde at about 4am following reports a 54-year-old man was stabbed in the cheek and neck, and a 36-year-old man was assaulted. The two men, who were later taken to Westmead Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, are contractors with Villawood Immigration Detention Centre, which is operated under the authority of Australian Border Force. It's alleged the two men were transporting the 28-year-old — a Tongan national — from Villawood to Sydney Airport when the stabbing and assault occurred. Following the stabbing and assault, it was reported that the 28-year-old was on the run, with NSW Police issuing an arrest warrant as well as advising the public "not to approach" the man, who had then last been seen in Harris Park. At about 9:40pm on Friday, officers attached to Campbelltown Police Area Command received reports that the man had been sighted in Eschol Park, a suburb roughly 50-kilometres south-west of Sydney's CBD. According to NSW Police, the man was arrested a short time later in the nearby suburb of St Andrews, with a 24-year-old woman also taken into custody. Hours after his arrest, the Tongan national was charged with causing grievous bodily harm with the intent to murder as well as wounding with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm. He was been refused bail and is expected to appear at Parramatta Local Court on Saturday. The 24-year-old woman has been charged with knowingly harbouring an escaped inmate. She has been granted bail and is expected to appear at Campbelltown Local Court on Thursday.
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.
ABC News
15-05-2025
- ABC News
Police hunt for man who stabbed, assaulted two border force workers
Police request public assistance in search for Tongan national who allegedly attacked Australian Border Force staff while in transit from Villawood Immigration Detention Centre to Sydney airport.
ABC News
15-05-2025
- ABC News
Police hunt attacker after Australian Border Force workers stabbed, assaulted in Western Sydney
A Tongan national is reportedly on the run in Sydney's west after two officials connected to Australian Border Force were allegedly stabbed and assaulted this morning. NSW Police officers were called to James Ruse Drive in Clyde about 4am to find a 54-year-old man stabbed in the cheek and neck and a 36-year-old man assaulted. The two men have been taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Police have been told the men were transporting a 28-year-old Tongan man from Villawood to Sydney Airport when the incident occurred. Police are appealing for information from the public as the investigation continues.
