Headlines

Coming up in NBN News. The gruesome discovery that has Sydney police baffled. The trial begins for a man accused of murdering his wife at Lake Macquarie. A bizarre chase as a soldier steals an armoured vehicle. And a baseball fan’s incredible catch. Plus more local, national and international news, sport and weather.

A man is facing a string of charges over a violent early morning axe attack in the Lake Macquarie suburb of Rathmines. Five homes were damaged or broken into – with an elderly resident injured while trying to stop the rampage.

Police are treating the death of a young woman as suspicious after her body was discovered in South Tamworth overnight. Emergency services were called to a unit on Robert Street about 9.40pm yesterday. Officers found a 22-year-old woman deceased in the home. Police are canvassing the area and are asking for anyone who witnessed anything in the area last night to come forward.

A search has resumed in bushland near Lake Macquarie for a missing Newcastle man. Mitchell Hancock was last seen leaving his home on Clarence Road, New Lambton, about 3am on Tuesday. The 31 year old is believed to be driving a Blue Holden Berlina with NSW registration BRB26U. Police and his family have serious concerns for his welfare after he failed to meet existing appointments or attend work. Local police and Polair are scouring bushland west of Toronto, near Freemans Waterhole. Police are asking for the community to keep a lookout for Mr Hancock and contact them immediately if they see him. He is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 175cm tall with a solid build and has fair hair with a beard and moustache.

Fire has ripped through a high school building in Lake Macquarie overnight. Around 50 firefighters rushed to Hunter Sports High in Gateshead just before 11pm following reports a derelict two storey building was alight. The school is currently undergoing a major upgrade, the building was under demolition before it went up in flames.

A 21 year old man will front court this afternoon charged with murder following a fatal stabbing in Newcastle overnight. Police were called to a Maryland property around 9pm where they found a 52 year old man with multiple stab wounds to his chest and stomach. He was treated by paramedics but died at the scene. A short time later a 21 year old man was arrested nearby. He was taken to Waratah police station and has been charged with murder. He’s been refused bail and will face Newcastle Local Court today.

10 people have been charged with drug offences following police raids across the Hunter Valley. Search warrants were carried out at eight properties in Cessnock, and three in Newcastle. It follows an 11-month investigation by specialist officers. Police claim the arrests will have a significant impact on the region’s drug trade.  

He was one of the highest ranking members of the Anglican Church in Newcastle… but former Dean, Graeme Lawrence, is now facing child sex charges. The 75-year-old has been charged with five counts of assault – allegedly committed against a teenage boy 26-years ago.

It’s a murder case that’s gone unsolved for more than 30 years – but tonight, we finally know what happened to Hunter woman, Elizabeth “Betty” Dixon. A man today pleaded guilty to being involved in her death – the court, accepting his version of events that another man committed the crime… all because Ms Dixon called him “old”.