Category Archives: headline

Former music teacher who abused student will likely die in jail

A court has heard a former South Australian music teacher and paedophile will likely die in jail.

The 80-year-old has already been sentenced to more than a decade behind bars and has now admitted to more crimes against another of his students.

Two years ago former South Australian teacher Malcolm Day was jailed for repeatedly preying on one of his pupils.

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Two years ago former South Australian teacher Malcolm Day was jailed for repeatedly preying on one of his pupils.

Now, another student has come forward.

Day should have been teaching the talented teen music but instead, he has pleaded guilty to grooming and abusing the 15-year-old in the early 1980s, years before the crimes for which he is already serving 12 years.

The decades-long impact of his predation was revealed in a powerful victim impact statement, calling for him to be handed at least 10 years jail on top of time he's already serving in prison, where his lawyer concedes the now 80-year-old will likely die.

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The 80-year-old has already been sentenced to more than a decade behind bars and has now admitted to more crimes against another of his students.

"Well that's a real prospect isn't it… given his age," defence lawyer Stephen Ey said.

The statement said Day's "selfish and disgraceful conduct" changed the survivor's life.

"He poisoned my future for his own pleasure and went on to lie about it," the statement said.

Day had written a letter of apology but his lawyer chose not to read it out loud in court, the judge suggesting it revealed he still lacks insight into his offending.

The court heard his old age shouldn't be taken into account, because "he's had the benefit of living… his best years as a free man."

US: Kids Under 5 to Get Vax, World Covid-19 Stats

Vaccines for kids under 5 may be ready this month © AP The wait may soon be over for parents of children under 5. The White House said Thursday that COVID-19 vaccinations for children under 5 could begin as soon as June 21, if the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorizes the shots. “We expect […]

The post US: Kids Under 5 to Get Vax, World Covid-19 Stats appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.

Calls to change proposed funding cuts to community transport

A new funding model proposed by the federal government could see community transport brought to a grinding halt.

From mid-2023 the federal government could stop funding grants to approved community transport providers.

For Penrith-based Active Care Network, this could be a death sentence for the community transport services.

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Calls to stop proposed federal government funding cuts to community transport providers.

"Some of the repercussions are we'll have to reduce the area of service we provide, reduce the number of services and we will have to cut costs or pass costs onto clients," CEO Ben Jackson said.

"With the changes that are proposed its going to keep older Australians isolated."

Currently, a round trip to the shops costs $11 but this provider fears that could double adding to the cost of living pressures.

"Having it at a reasonable price means we can be without worry," Vallerie, a community bus patron, said.

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Calls to stop proposed federal government funding cuts to community transport providers.

Community transport is a lifeline for seniors seeking independence to complete their day to day needs after they stopped driving.

"My family don't live close to me," Joy Barton, a community bus patron said.

"My legs aren't the best, the shuttle picks me up at the door, carries my bags, that's a big help."

"We need it, can't get there, couldn't afford a taxi, these they help us on the bus, we don't feel on our own," Vallerie added.

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Calls to stop proposed federal government funding cuts to community transport providers.

Since the new funding model was proposed there's been a change in government and the community transport network now hopes the door isn't closed to further negotiation.

In a statement to 9News, the Department of Aged Care said its been consulting extensively with community transport providers.

NIA Expanding Efforts to Attain Food Security Goals; Commercial Farmers Receive Assistance

NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (June 02, 2022) — In its quest to ensure a consistent supply of agricultural produce for consumers, the Department of Agriculture on Nevis presented 12 commercial farmers with a combined total of 105 trays of tomato and sweet pepper seedlings. The donation which was one of the last activities for Agriculture Awareness Month […]

The post NIA Expanding Efforts to Attain Food Security Goals; Commercial Farmers Receive Assistance appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.

Police Commissioner speaks during civil trial against vaccine mandates

Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll has spoken at a civil trial, which is challenging the enforcement of vaccine mandates by the state government.

Dozens of police officers and health workers have come forward to contest the mandates in Brisbane's Supreme Court, arguing the government should not force employees to be vaccinated.

Several workers came forward saying they had been required to seek alternative, stay-at-home positions or were suspended on full pay.

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Commissioner Katarina Carroll praised the actions of officers who attended the initial "disturbance" at the Wooloowin house.

It was also argued the mandates should now be revoked in the wake of this year's Omicron COVID-19 peak.

Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll spoke in court today on the controversial 'no jab no job' policy, telling the civil trial she believes COVID-19 cases are still too high and there are still too many deaths to revoke the order.

The police commissioner was questioned for several hours about the health direction and where she got her information when making decisions on the ruling.

The commissioner was the final witness in the five day hearing.

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Yesterday, deputy commissioner Doug Smith gave evidence on the 'no jab no job' direction, which he helped create at the direction of commissioner Carroll.

Deputy commissioner Smith was questioned about whether he was aware of 'resentment' directed at officers who refused to be vaccinated.

He denied the policy was implemented to prevent officers from cherry-picking the jobs they wanted to do, as it was suggested officers who were not vaccinated could avoid positions like border enforcement during the state's closed border period.

The deputy commissioner admitted to 'speculation' but said this had not influenced the decision to implement the policy.

He was also asked if he thought police officers taking part in the case were "trouble makers," which he denied.

The trial will resume next Thursday for final submissions.

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Tributes laid at scene where three-year-old boy fatally hit by car

Family and friends have returned to the scene where a three-year-old boy died after an alleged hit-and-run in Melbourne yesterday.

Three-year-old Ethan Nguyen died in hospital after a hit and run in Sunshine North.

Police are investigating after the toddler, Ethan Nguyen, was fatally injured on McIntyre Road, Sunshine North, about 6.30pm on Thursday.

Emergency services were told Ethan had been struck by a red sedan.

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He was taken to hospital but died overnight.

Family, friends and the community have been left heartbroken by the incident.

"Why car can't stop? I don't know," Ethan's grandmother sobbed at the scene.

Flowers and the little boy's favourite tea have been laid on the street as a tribute.

The site of a fatal car accident where a three-year-old boy died in McIntyre Road in Sunshine North.

CCTV of the incident showed Ethan running onto the road after being picked up from daycare.

Witnesses said the boy's mother told him to stop.

"She said 'Ethan, stop!' and then he listen and stop but the car not stop," a witness said.

"My business owner he say 'stop, stop, stop', he see the boy when he cross the road and cause little boy he not understand, that's why," Saad Alyoshik, another witness said.

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Family members turn up at the scene in Sunshine North where a three year old died from a car accident outside a childcare centre.

A 73-year-old woman handed herself into police earlier today.

Police said the driver of the vehicle "failed to render assistance and drove off from the scene".

"I mean having a quick look at the vehicle, it's pretty evident that you would know you've hit something," Superintendent John Fitzpatrick said.

"Whether that driver knew that they'd hit a child or something else is still to be determined."

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Child critically injured in hit-run collision in Sunshine North

Anybody with CCTV or dashcam footage is urged to contact police.

Driver caught travelling over 200km/h in unregistered Ferrari

The driver of an unregistered white Ferrari had his license suspended this morning after he was clocked travelling at more than 200km/h on a New South Wales highway.

Officers detected the luxury car speeding at about 7.40am in a 110km sign-posted area on the Hume Highway, Goulburn.

Police stopped the car and spoke with the 42-year-old driver. As well as having his licence suspended, his vehicle was also confiscated for three months.

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The white Ferrari was travelling in a 110km sign-posted area on the Hume Highway, Goulburn.The luxury car was clocked doing 204 km/h.

"He was issued with a Court Attendance Notice for drive vehicle recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous, exceed speed limit – over 45kph, and use unregistered motor vehicle," police said.

"The Rhodes man will appear in Goulburn Local Court on Wednesday 29 June 2022."

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Man who sent offensive election emails to politicians sentenced after landmark case

A Sydney man has been convicted and sentenced after sending offensive emails to federal politicians and candidates during the 2019 federal election and 2020 by-election.

The 34-year-old from Blacktown was sentenced to an aggregate of 21 months at Penrith District Court yesterday.

He was released with conditions including to be of good behaviour for three years.

It came after he pleaded guilty to 12 charges some of which included, using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence, dealing in identification information, possession of identification information and misleading or deceptive publications.

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Using world-leading capability, AFP technical analysis identified the offender at a Blacktown address.

Some of the high-profile targets of the email campaign included, Dr Fiona Kotvojs, Kristy McBain MP, Dave Sharma former MP of Wentworth and Dr Kerryn Phelps.

'A line in the sand'

Australian Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers said the case marks Australia's first successful prosecution of a person for breaching electoral laws that prohibit misleading or deceiving Australians about the act of casting a vote

"Yesterday's sentencing demonstrates that those who seek to undermine the integrity of Australia's electoral system will be brought to account," Rogers said.

"A result like this draws a line in the sand as it provides precedent for any similar misbehaviour in the future."

The conviction comes after an extensive and "complex" investigation from the Australian Federal Police (AFP).

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In July 2020, AFP conducted a search warrant at that address. There they found 'the offender's computer actively sending offensive emails'.

AFP launched Operation BALAH in June 2020 after receiving a report from the Electoral Integrity Assurance Taskforce (EIAT) and the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) about a mass disinformation campaign leading up the Eden-Monaro by-election.

"The report related to offensive and harassing emails, from apparent legitimate sources, being sent from an unidentified user to members of the public and various organisations," police said in a statement.

After conducting a technical analysis of the emails, police found an address.

In July 2020 they searched that property.

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"At the time of the warrant, the offender's computer was actively sending offensive emails," police said.

"Items located during the warrant, including SIM cards, were examined and found to be subscribed under different names. Subsequent investigations revealed those individuals had their identification fraudulently obtained by the offender.

"During the Eden-Monaro by-election, the offender sent more than 23 million emails to members of the public and organisations and he is believed to have sent a similar number related to the Wentworth electorate during the federal election."