Tag Archives: oceania

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Man to face trial for his wife’s decades-old murder

The husband of a woman found dead in a ransacked home three decades ago will face trial accused of her murder.

Craig Freeman, 63, was charged in 2025 with his wife Melinda Freeman's murder 34 years ago.

Police say the 27-year-old woman was found dead in a ransacked Whittlesea home, in Melbourne's outer north, on October 4, 1991, after she was assaulted.

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Melinda Freeman was found dead in a Whittlesea home.

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Freeman claimed he found his wife's body lying on the top landing of their two-storey home after returning to the property with their son and finding the front door open.

He was granted bail in December on a $500,000 surety, put up by his current wife, after the prosecution did not oppose his application.

Justice Michael Croucher found Freeman had demonstrated exceptional circumstances to permit his release on bail, including that the prosecution's case was circumstantial and an issue at trial would be the alleged killer's identity.

Freeman faced Melbourne Magistrates Court today, where his lawyer Paul Galbally said his client had elected to send the matter to the Supreme Court.

The accused killer stood as he pleaded not guilty to one count of murder.

Magistrate Stephen Ballek ordered Freeman face the Supreme Court for a directions hearing on March 26.

Freeman was placed on trial bail with conditions including he not leave Victoria, report to police twice a week, and not contact any prosecution witnesses.

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Man slashed with a machete after confronting teenagers outside of home

A Melbourne man needs to undergo three rounds of surgery after he was attacked by teenagers armed with machetes who he stopped throwing rocks at his home.

The group allegedly threw rocks at the man's home in Croydon at about 10.30pm on Monday before the 64-year-old yelled at them.

The group left the scene before they returned at 2.30am.

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The tradie took matters into his own hands and chased them around the corner in his car.

The man and his partner called police and said they were told there were no units to respond. 

The tradie took matters into his own hands and chased them around the corner in his car to Manchester Road in Mooroolbark.

He was then attacked with a machete.

The man and the teenagers were not known to each other prior to the incident.

The man's partner said he had been left with "deep, deep, wounds"

"He's cut his arm, fractured through the bone and his fingers," she said.

"It's just left us shaken, you know, he came home in a bloodbath."

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No arrests have been made.

The attack comes days after security guard Aidan Becker was killed at Mernda Train Station after he saved another boy's life.

After Becker stopped a 14-year-old being robbed, four teenagers allegedly stabbed him to death with a machete. 

Victoria Police commander Wayne Cheeseman said a weapon could turn a moment into "a lifetime of consequences".

"It can cost someone their life, it can cost you your future," Cheeseman said.

"I implore you to really think about the decisions you make."

The 64-year-old man's partner called for change after the attack.

"We need to change this country, we need to get the country back to the way it was," she said.

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Sydney beach shut after sharks spotted inside nets

The baths at a popular beach on Sydney's Lower North Shore have been closed after two sharks were reportedly sighted close to shore.

Two sharks were reportedly sighted swimming within the netted area of Balmoral Beach in Mosman early this afternoon.

The baths have been shut as a precaution.

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Two sharks were reportedly spotted swimming in the netted zone.

A Mosman council spokesperson said a diver is now inspecting the area in and around the baths for signs of sharks.

"Warning signs have also been placed on the shore and barricades placed in front of the baths to alert members of the public," a Mosman council spokesperson said.

The beach has been shut as a precaution.

"Nets in the area were inspected in the past month as part of routine maintenance.

"Further inspections will take place once the water quality improves, as it is presently murky.

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