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South Australia Police has slammed a judge's decision to hand a failed senate candidate and anti-vaxxer who struck and scalped a pregnant police officer a suspended sentence.

In court yesterday, Raina Jane Cruise was handed a good behaviour bond by District Court Judge Joanne Deuter over the October 2021 attack in the Adelaide CBD.

In sentencing, Deuter said Cruise was "significantly intoxicated" at the time but that was no excuse for her "violent offending".

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The anti-vaxxer had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated assault over the attack on Constable Anthea Beck during a late-night altercation with police following an anti-vaccination rally.

Constable Beck suffered a number of injuries during the assault, including having hair torn from her scalp.

Cruise was already on a good behaviour bond at the time of the incident.

She's now agreed to a new one for three years, which includes a ban on consuming any alcohol and 100 hours of community service.

Deuter also handed Cruise a suspended sentence of three years and eight months' jail with a non-parole period of two years. A suspended sentence means the jail time will only be served if Cruise commits another offence.

Leaving court yesterday Cruise was asked if she wanted to say anything to her victim, Constable Beck.

"Ah yes, I would say don't vaccinate your daughter," she responded.

READ MORE: Woman charged with threatening paramedics in Sydney

In a statement issued this morning, Acting Police Commissioner Linda Williams called on the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to appeal Cruise's sentence.

Williams said the good behaviour bond wasn't in line with community standards and had distressed rank-and-file police officers.

"In an environment in which assaults against police are increasing, a suspended sentence in this case simply sends the wrong message and is totally unacceptable," Williams said in the statement.

"Potential offenders need to know that if they assault an emergency services worker there will be severe consequences, that they can expect a custodial sentence as the legislation allows.

"And police who place themselves in danger on every shift they work need to know they have the full support of the judicial system.

"The suspended sentence handed to Raina Jane Cruise, who was found guilty of a violent, sustained and cowardly attack on a female officer, has not met either of these basic expectations.''

Williams noted that she had asked her prosecutions team to examine the sentencing remarks and begin talks with the DPP with a view to appealing it.

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Dog owners have been put on notice over the "ongoing misuse" of dog waste dispensers which left a popular New South Wales beach trashed.

Bega Valley Shire Council posted a photo to Facebook showing scores of 'dog poo' bags littering Merimbula's Main Beach, about 525km south of Sydney.

In its post this week, the council told residents it was removing dog waste bag dispensers along Ocean Drive to combat the issue.

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"We need your help to tackle this issue! Remember, a proper pooch outing means packing your own dog waste bags and disposing of them responsibly in a bin," the council wrote.

"With summer around the corner, let's work together to keep Merimbula beautiful for all.

"Note: all bags pictured were found on one day, having been discarded in the dunes within 50 metres."

READ MORE: Parents on edge, police appeal amid spate of child kidnap attempts

The council urged residents to take their own dog bags in the future and to dispose of them correctly.

In a comment on the council post, the Far South Coast Landcare Association said the pictured bags were gathered in the sand dunes while members were removing invasive weeds last month.

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A milk bar worker has told how she jumped on top of an unknown man who shot paint at her in an attempted robbery in Melbourne's north-east.

Kiki Ling had just opened the milk bar on Heidelberg-Kinglake Road in Hurstbridge about 7.20am on November 24, when a man riding an electric scooter entered the store.

Wearing a balaclava and dressed in black, he approached Ling, demanding $25 and a free can of energy drink.

READ MORE: Children 'traumatised' after thieves break into Melbourne home through doggy door

When she refused, he pulled a large super-soaker out of a laptop bag and sprayed white paint on her and around the store.

"I thought it was chilli water but it was paint. I couldn't see and he took my phone from me," Ling said.

"I thought should I run and he was in front of the door. I just had a fight with him and I jumped on his back and grabbed his eye.

"He was strong so he threw me on the ground and started punching my head."

The 34-year-old worker attempted to restrain the man before he allegedly assaulted her and pulled down the store's shutter door, trapping them both inside.

During the assault, Ling was able to move the man's balaclava, revealing his face briefly to the CCTV camera.

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The man attempted to flee the scene when Ling grabbed his leg.

"I started screaming for help and he just started punching," she said.

"I tried to crawl and he pulled me back and kept punching my head and my face. It was very bad, I felt scared.

"When he tried to leave, I pulled his leg but he ran away."

She suffered facial injuries and bruising but didn't suffer any serious physical injuries.

Police say the man fled the scene, without the drink, on what is believed to be a black Hoverfly G4 electric scooter.

Detective Leading Senior Constable Daniel Vakulcyzk said the attack was unique and unfolded over three minutes.

"It's very unique, (the super soaker) was inside a laptop bag and he started squirting (the paint) everywhere," he said.

"He did pull down the shutter, which blocked his escape."

Investigators have released CCTV along with images of a man they believe can assist with their enquiries.

READ MORE: Mum 'did not sleep for three days' before son's death

He is described as being about 175cm tall, of solid build and aged in his 40s.

The man was wearing a black hoodie with white paint on it, dark grey pants, a black LA Raiders cap, black socks and no shoes.

Anyone who witnessed the incident, has CCTV or dashcam footage, or any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online.

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Discover the areas in New South Wales affected by power outages. Find out the latest updates on blackspot locations and outage durations.

UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has been killed in what investigators suspect was a targeted shooting outside a Manhattan hotel where the US health insurer was holding an investor conference.

The killing was a "brazen, targeted attack", New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said.

Thompson, 50, was set to speak at an investor meeting when he was gunned down about 6.45am (8.45pm AEDT) on Wednesday outside the New York Hilton Midtown by a shooter who fled on foot and then took an e-bike into Central Park, according to the New York Police Department.

READ MORE: Home intruder has no idea of terrifying neighbour waiting to pounce

Thompson was taken to a hospital but could not be saved. Police were still searching for the shooter as of late morning and no arrests had been made.

Though officials said the attack appeared to be targeted, they did not yet have a motive for the shooting.

Mayor Eric Adams said police were reviewing evidence from the scene, including video.

"It seems to be clearly targeted by an individual and we will apprehend that individual," Adams said.

UnitedHealthcare is the insurance arm of the health care giant UnitedHealth Group.

The Minnesota-based company was scheduled to have its annual meeting with investors in New York City to update Wall Street on the company's direction and expectations for the coming year, according to a company media advisory. An announcement was made to attendees Wednesday morning that the conference was ending early.

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The Hilton is in a bustling part of Manhattan, a short walk from tourist sites such as the Museum of Modern Art and Rockefeller Centre, and often dense with tourists and office workers on weekday mornings.

The popular Rockefeller Centre Christmas Tree lighting is set to take place on Wednesday evening (Thursday morning AEDT).

Part of the block where the shooting took place was cordoned off with police tape, with a large contingent of police officers at the scene. Many security cameras are nearby.

Thompson had served as CEO for more than three years and had been with the company since 2004.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz tweeted that the state was "sending our prayers to Brian's family and the UnitedHealthcare team."

"This is horrifying news and a terrible loss for the business and health care community in Minnesota," the Democrat wrote.

UnitedHealthcare is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans in the US and manages health insurance coverage for employers and state-and federally funded Medicaid programs.

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A learner driver from Queensland has been arrested and charged following a lengthy cross-border police chase down the M1.

Footage obtained exclusively by 9News shows the Nissan driving southbound on the M1 towards Byron Bay yesterday evening.

Three of the car's tires had been popped, but the car continued sparking down the road ahead of a column of police cars.

READ MORE: Teen acquitted of Emma Lovell's Boxing Day murder

Other drivers on the road kept clear.

Police allege 31-year-old Aaron John Mannell was behind the wheel.

Police allege he crossed the NSW-Queensland border, was driving dangerously at speeds close to 150km/h and failed to stop.

The chase was eventually brought to an end after police deployed road spikes.

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Mannel faced court today and pleaded guilty to several charges relating to dangerous driving.

He pleaded not guilty to refusing a breath test and driving under the influence.

A court heard he has a criminal record in Queensland, for dangerous driving occasioning death in 2019.

He was refused bail with the magistrate labeling him a significant risk to the community.

A man with a background in martial arts has bravely defended his neighbour from an alleged home invasion in Sydney's Inner West.

Kelly McInerney was inside her Canada Bay home when she spotted an allegedly intoxicated man jump into the backyard on Monday evening. 

The man then allegedly broke the side gate, kicked in a door and burst into the family's lounge room.

READ MORE: Teen acquitted of Emma Lovell's Boxing Day murder

He was allegedly armed with a plank of wood.

"He charged down here and started smashing," McInerney told 9News. 

The woman, her husband, her daughter and pet dog ran for help.

"The neighbour's daughter runs over and knocks on our door," neighbour John Totaro told 9News.

"I said, 'What's wrong, darling?' She said, 'Someone's broken into our house'."

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Another neighbour, Brian, who has a brown belt in Jiu Jitsu, heard the commotion and leapt into action. 

"He jumped over from the fence, like a commando," Totaro said.

"He just became this completely different person," McInerney said. 

Totaro said Brian went into the home, jumped on top of the man and wrestled him. 

Asked if the man resisted after being grappled, Totaro said the alleged intruder "didn't want a bar of it".

Police arrived moments later, arresting a 37-year-old from Ireland.

READ MORE: Man slashed with a machete in homophobic attack

It's understood he had been playing golf at Massey Park Golf Club before making his way to Canada Bay.

He has been charged with aggravated breaking and entering.

McInerney said community spirit had never been stronger.

"Knock on a door and say, 'Hey, I need someone', and they were there, so that's beautiful.

"That's exactly what neighbourhoods should be about."

The court sentencing a second teen involved in a home invasion that saw a mother-of-two murdered on Boxing Day has heard her family still fears spending the night in their house.

Emma Lovell, 41, was stabbed to death on the lawn outside her North Lakes home, north of Brisbane, in December 2022.

One of the youths pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced to 14 years detention in May.

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The other youth, now aged 19, faced Brisbane Supreme Court today for sentencing after being acquitted of murder or manslaughter, and of wounding of Lovell at a judge-only trial in October.

He was found guilty of burglary and the assault of her husband, Lee.

Lovell read from his victim impact statement but Justice Michael Copley said he would not be able to take into account any parts involving Emma Lovell's death.

"We made our home a place of love and protection … the actions of you and your co-offender took away our sense of safety," Lovell said.

"A night of unimaginable tragedy started when you decided to enter my home."

Lovell said he had installed extra security cameras and a security door but his family still felt a psychological impact.

"Sleep is a problem. I wake up thinking someone is inside my home," Lovell said.

Crown prosecutor David Nardone told Justice Copley the youth had 104 prior criminal charges on his record and he had committed offences while on community orders and probation.

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"His record is dominated by property related and dishonesty offending but includes violence in robberies and common assaults," Nardone said.

"The burglary and involvement in assault (at the Lovells' home) was committed the evening after being released on bail from a watch house."

Nardone said the youth had also pleaded guilty to 19 other offences mainly related to stealing alcohol from shops worth $2000 and wallets and vehicles from homes while in company and at night between September and December 2022.

Copley heard the youth had been in detention since the morning after the Lovell home invasion.

Defence barrister Laura Reece said her client should not face a further probation order after he had shown improvements while in detention.

"Almost two years in detention is sufficient punishment," she said.

Reece said psychological reports showed the youth had taken steps toward rehabilitation, was remorseful and had positive plans for the future.

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Copley said the youth had committed offences primarily to obtain money to fund his substance abuse and had been influenced by others, but that could not excuse his offending.

"I don't know if your statements of remorse are true or not. No longer breaking the law would be the best evidence," he said.

Copley said the only suitable punishment was a detention order.

"You repeatedly offended with no regard to others' property rights," he said.

The youth was sentenced to 18 months' detention with convictions recorded for the Lovell home invasion charges and another burglary.

He was not given a probation order and released with time served.