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"It's just my name": Aussie mum's number plate banned for being too offensive

<p>In what may be the most <em>Queensland</em> story of the year, a local mum has been left scratching her head after being told her own legal name was too controversial to be printed on a number plate.</p> <p>Indica Bradford, a Sunshine State resident with a name more commonly found in dispensaries than baby name books, says she was crushed after Personalised Plates Queensland (PPQ) refunded her deposit and rejected her application for custom plates bearing her first name.</p> <p>“I’ve been planning this since I got my licence,” Indica told <em>A Current Affair</em>, possibly while sipping chamomile tea and definitely not sparking up anything illegal. “Everyone has personalised plates and I could get my full name because it’s so unique. I was really excited.”</p> <p>After confirming over several years that INDICA was still available (possibly due to others being less keen to broadcast a botanical classification of cannabis), Indica finally pulled the trigger. She bought a new car, put her chosen plates on lay-by, and waited for her custom dream to become Queensland highway reality.</p> <p>Then came the buzzkill.</p> <p>PPQ refunded her money, called her up, and delivered the bad news: Indica had been rejected. The reason? The Department of Transport and Main Roads had deemed the name inappropriate, saying it could be interpreted as promoting illegal drugs or criminal activity.</p> <p>Which, to be clear, was a surprise to Indica, who has spent her entire life thinking her name was simply a pretty word her mum liked. “She loved it for years,” Indica explained. “She finally had me and named me the name she loved.”</p> <p>Neither mother nor daughter had any idea it had a... greener meaning.</p> <p>“I think the majority of Australia would probably be the same. They wouldn’t even know what it meant,” she said, perhaps optimistically.</p> <p>To be fair, Sativa Bradford probably would’ve had the same issue.</p> <p>Despite the bureaucratic bummer, Indica isn't backing down. “I’m not trying to offend anyone. It’s just my name, yeah, my legal name, on my birth certificate,” she said, clutching her paperwork and likely resisting the urge to add a middle name like "TotallyLegal".</p> <p>The Department of Transport and Main Roads replied with a characteristically dry statement about how personalised plate content is reviewed “against several criteria” and is updated “to reflect current community and social norms”.</p> <p>Translation: no weed names, even if it’s literally what your mum called you before the first ultrasound.</p> <p>Still, all is not lost. The department said Indica can request a formal review, a chance for justice, or at least a small victory for people named after misunderstood plant strains everywhere.</p> <p>For now, Indica is driving around incognito. But if you spot a car with “ND1K4” on the back, give her a wave. </p> <p><em>Images: A Current Affair</em></p>

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Pauline Hanson and One Nation senators criticised for turning their backs during Acknowledgement of Country

<p>A silent protest by four One Nation senators who turned their backs during an Acknowledgement of Country in the Senate has drawn strong condemnation from across the political spectrum.</p> <p>The incident occurred during the ceremonial opening of parliament on Tuesday, when the traditional statement of respect for First Nations peoples was read aloud. Instead of standing in observance, the four right-wing senators from Pauline Hanson's party physically turned away from the proceedings, a move that Cabinet Minister Clare O’Neil slammed as “disrespectful and rude and childish”.</p> <p>“It’s disappointing that their actions became a point of focus, especially on a day when there were so many beautiful moments of unity during the Welcome to Country ceremonies,” Ms O’Neil said on Wednesday. “To treat people that way on the first day of parliament was absolutely appalling.”</p> <p>The protest has reignited debate around the role of Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country protocols in national life, which some conservative voices have recently branded “divisive”.</p> <p>One Nation leader Pauline Hanson defended her party’s actions, repeating her long-standing view that the Acknowledgement of Country has become “increasingly forced” and politically charged.</p> <p>Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie offered a more nuanced take, saying that while she personally listened respectfully to the statement, others had a right to express differing views. “The problem in a liberal democracy like ours is when we can’t express different views,” she told Sunrise. She likened the action to MPs who choose to walk out during morning prayers or decline to support the monarchy.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">This afternoon in the Senate, every One Nation senator stood with me to turn our backs on the divisive and increasingly forced Acknowledgement of Country.</p> <p>I’ve made this protest on my own for years, but today, our whole team made it clear: we’ve had enough of being told we don’t… <a href="https://t.co/iUoZbiDqn6">pic.twitter.com/iUoZbiDqn6</a></p> <p>— Pauline Hanson 🇦🇺 (@PaulineHansonOz) <a href="https://twitter.com/PaulineHansonOz/status/1947576558287523975?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 22, 2025</a></p></blockquote> <p>But Minister O’Neil rejected that framing, arguing that First Nations guests had extended a hand of welcome to parliamentarians and deserved better treatment. “Whatever your views about the Welcome to Country, this was about showing respect,” she said. “We were being invited to reflect on 65,000 years of heritage that enrich our country.”</p> <p>Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also weighed in, praising the ceremony as a meaningful way to open parliament and reflect on Australia’s shared history. “Like a lot of the more positive things about our nation, we shouldn’t take it for granted,” he said, adding that the Acknowledgement of Country “should not be controversial”.</p> <p>The incident comes amid growing tension around Indigenous cultural protocols, with recent flashpoints including the booing of a Welcome to Country address by a neo-Nazi group during an Anzac Day dawn service in Melbourne.</p> <p>Despite the backlash, the federal government reaffirmed its commitment to the practice, with Deputy Opposition Leader Sussan Ley also noting the symbolic importance of the ceremony. “It set the tone as we re-commit ourselves to the taking of practical action to improve lives and expand opportunity for Indigenous Australians in every part of our great country,” she said.</p> <p>Welcome to Country ceremonies are conducted by Traditional Owners, while Acknowledgement of Country is a statement of respect for Indigenous peoples and connection to land, and can be made by anyone, regardless of background.</p> <p><em>Images: 7 News / X (Fomerly Twitter)</em></p>

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Dad jailed after Bunnings prank that hospitalised 11 people

<p>A father-of-three has been jailed for 16 months after what he claimed was a “fart prank” went horribly wrong, leaving shoppers hospitalised and forcing the evacuation of a Bunnings store in Western Australia.</p> <p>Paul Andrew Hart, 52, released a chilli-based substance called Satan’s Spit inside the Northam Bunnings on ANZAC Day, causing chaos as customers gasped for air, covered their eyes, and scrambled to escape the fumes.</p> <p>The court heard Hart sprayed the substance near a mother and her daughter before roaming the aisles as more shoppers were impacted. One customer told the court they believed they were “going to die”.</p> <p>"My lungs tightened, I was gasping for air," they said.</p> <p>Victims were rushed to hospital where they were forced to strip and decontaminate under outdoor showers.</p> <p>"We were naked and afraid. I was freezing cold and embarrassed," one person told the court.</p> <p>Bunnings was forced to shut for the day, losing $16,000 in profit.</p> <p>Hart, a former mine site chef, told the court he had woken from distressing dreams and had been drinking alcohol that morning. He claimed he had meant to spray “fart spray” as a joke to “lighten the mood”, but accidentally grabbed the wrong can from his pocket.</p> <p>The judge rejected the excuse, calling the incident reckless and dangerous.</p> <p>Hart was sentenced to 16 months in prison and will be eligible for parole later this year.</p> <p><em>Images: 9 News</em></p>

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Shocking details after father faces court over drowning of 7-month-old

<p>A Queensland father accused of the manslaughter of his seven-month-old son has been denied bail after a court heard he woke up “laughing” and tried to flee the scene where the baby was found drowned.</p> <p>Jaye Lee Walton, 42, appeared via video link in Ipswich Magistrates Court on Thursday, facing a charge of manslaughter over the death of his son, Reef Hunter Walton, on July 12.</p> <p>The court was told Walton, his partner Amy Stevenson, and their infant son were camping overnight at Chatsworth Park near Gympie while travelling home to Innisfail in Far North Queensland. According to police, Walton consumed an entire four-litre cask of wine the night before the tragedy but still cared for his teething son through the night.</p> <p>Magistrate Robert Walker, reading from the bail affidavit, said the following morning Reef became unsettled during breakfast, and Walton offered to take him to the toilet block to clean him up. When he failed to return after 30 minutes, Ms Stevenson went to look for them.</p> <p>She allegedly found Walton asleep near the edge of a pond, while baby Reef was face down in the water, about 10 metres from the bank.</p> <p>“[She] started screaming at you, but realised you were asleep,” Magistrate Walker said. “She entered the water, recovered the child, returned to the bank and commenced CPR.”</p> <p>Walton was reportedly “smiling or laughing” when he awoke and appeared “oblivious” to the situation. He allegedly fled the scene on foot but returned shortly after due to the actions of bystanders.</p> <p>Police also allege that Walton refused to provide a breath sample at the scene, despite initially agreeing. The court heard he has a history of alcohol-related traffic offences but no significant criminal record.</p> <p>Defence lawyer Mark Butler argued the charge amounted to manslaughter by criminal negligence and said there was no evidence Walton had ever harmed his child or come to the attention of Child Safety authorities.</p> <p>“There is no allegation that my client has been anything other than a loving father,” Mr Butler said, referencing Ms Stevenson’s statement that described Walton as “amazing” with Reef and heavily involved in his care.</p> <p>However, Magistrate Walker questioned the negligence classification, citing witness claims that Walton was seen throwing the baby into the water.</p> <p>“One woman told [Ms Stevenson]: ‘The guys were saying they saw him throw him into the water,’” he said.</p> <p>Police prosecutor Senior Sergeant Michael Read told the court some of the alleged witnesses had not yet been interviewed and that police inquiries were ongoing.</p> <p>Magistrate Walker ultimately denied bail, citing the risk to others posed by Walton’s drinking and concerns for his mental health. The court heard he allegedly told officers “there’s nothing else left” following Reef’s death and had attempted to harm himself while in custody.</p> <p>“There is good evidence that if released on bail, you would be a danger to yourself,” Mr Walker said.</p> <p>Walton is expected to return to court on August 4.</p> <p><em>Image: Queensland Police</em></p>

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Two teens charged with murder of Queensland CEO's husband

<p>Two teenage boys have been charged with murder following the brutal alleged stabbing of a 57-year-old man in the front yard of his luxury Sunshine Coast home.</p> <p>Zdravko “Zed” Bilic was found with multiple stab wounds to his abdomen outside the property he shared with wife and skincare entrepreneur Gry Susann Tomte in Warana on Monday night. He was declared dead at the scene.</p> <p>Emergency services were called to the couple’s Napalle Street address around 7.35pm after a concerned neighbour found Mr Bilic unresponsive in the front yard. Ms Tomte, who was interstate at the time, had asked the neighbour to check on him after growing worried when she couldn’t reach him.</p> <p>“Following extensive investigations, police will allege a disturbance occurred at the address, resulting in the 57-year-old man sustaining fatal stab wounds,” Queensland Police said in a statement.</p> <p>Sunshine Coast detectives have since charged a 15-year-old boy from West Woombye and a 17-year-old boy from Beerwah with one count of murder each. They are due to appear before the Maroochydore Childrens Court.</p> <p>Mr Bilic and Ms Tomte relocated from Melbourne to Queensland in 2022, purchasing their five-bedroom, three-bathroom home for $2.5 million. Located in a prized beachside enclave, Warana is known for its multimillion-dollar properties and coastal lifestyle.</p> <p>Mr Bilic had previously shared his excitement about the move online, writing: “The most important thing that Melbourne gave me is my wonderful wife. We are super excited with our new adventure.”</p> <p>On Thursday, Ms Tomte paid tribute to her late husband in a heartfelt Instagram post.</p> <p>“There is no way I can capture the immense grief of losing the most beautiful man. My world for 28 years… He was my everything,” she wrote.</p> <p>Ms Tomte is the founder of HUD Skin and Body, a successful Melbourne-based skincare clinic with locations in St Kilda and Northcote. A self-made entrepreneur, she has received multiple industry accolades and built a loyal following through her personal journey and candid insights into skincare and business.</p> <p>She had been scheduled to speak at the upcoming Brisbane Aesthetic Summit next week.</p> <p>The couple frequently shared glimpses of their life on social media, including beach outings with their dog and overseas trips to New York and Europe.</p> <p>Police investigations into the incident remain ongoing.</p> <p><em>Images: Facebook</em></p>

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"Moronic mission": Sentences handed down for Sycamore Gap Tree vandals

<p>Two men have been sentenced to more than four years behind bars after chopping down one of the UK’s most beloved natural landmarks – the nearly 200-year-old Sycamore Gap tree.</p> <p>Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, were each sentenced to four years and three months in prison for what prosecutors described as a “moronic mission” that left the iconic tree destroyed and part of Hadrian’s Wall, a 2,000-year-old UNESCO World Heritage Site, damaged.</p> <p>The destruction took place on the stormy night of September 28, 2023. Under the cover of Storm Agnes, the pair used a chainsaw to fell the tree near Crag Lough in Northumberland, the sound of their vandalism masked by howling winds. The Sycamore Gap tree, which famously appeared in the 1991 film <em>Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves</em>, had stood between two hills along the historic Roman wall and was a cherished location for generations.</p> <p>Sentencing the men at Newcastle Crown Court on Tuesday, Judge Christina Lambert slammed their actions as senseless and self-serving.</p> <p>“You revelled in the coverage,” Judge Lambert said. “Taking evident pride in what you had done, knowing that you were responsible for the crime which so many were talking about.”</p> <p>She rejected claims made by Carruthers that he was intoxicated during the act, calling their actions deliberate and premeditated, apparently motivated by sheer “bravado”. Text messages between the men revealed they had filmed the destruction on a mobile phone and shared gleeful messages about it afterward.</p> <p>Although both men initially denied involvement, their lawyers said they later accepted responsibility while speaking to probation officers. Still, the motive behind the act remains unclear.</p> <p>The landmark sentencing marks the first time in UK history that anyone has been imprisoned for illegally felling a tree.</p> <p>Locals have mourned the loss of the tree, often called the “Robin Hood tree”, which was a popular site for picnics, proposals, birthdays and farewells. In 2016, it was named England’s “Tree of the Year”.</p> <p>Its absence has left a visible scar on the Northumberland landscape and in the hearts of those who cherished it.</p> <p><em>Images: Getty / Northumberland Police</em></p>

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Aussie MasterChef star sacked over allegations of racism

<p>Australian-British chef John Torode has been sacked from his long-standing role as a presenter on <em>MasterChef UK</em> after an allegation he used a racist term was upheld by an independent legal investigation.</p> <p>A spokesperson for production company Banijay UK confirmed on Tuesday that Torode’s contract will not be renewed, following the outcome of an internal probe led by law firm Lewis Silkin.</p> <p>“This matter has been formally discussed with John Torode by Banijay UK, and whilst we note that John says he does not recall the incident, Lewis Silkin have upheld the very serious complaint,” the company said in a statement.</p> <p>“Banijay UK and the BBC are agreed that we will not renew his contract on MasterChef.”</p> <p>The BBC’s director-general Tim Davie described the situation as “serious” and said the broadcaster had “drawn a line in the sand”.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DMIyRGDsn6h/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DMIyRGDsn6h/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by John Torode (@johntorodecooks)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Torode, who has fronted the hit cooking competition since its 2005 relaunch, claimed he first learned of his dismissal through media reports.</p> <p>“Although I haven't heard from anyone at the BBC or Banijay – I am seeing and reading that I've been 'sacked' from MasterChef and I repeat that I have no recollection of what I'm accused of,” he said in a statement shared to Instagram.</p> <p>“I hoped that I'd have some say in my exit from a show I've worked on since its relaunch in 2005, but events in the last few days seem to have prevented that.”</p> <p>Torode said he had “loved every minute” of his time on the show but acknowledged “it's time to pass the cutlery to someone else”.</p> <p>The allegations relate to an incident in 2018 or 2019, reportedly in a social setting. Torode said he was told the individual involved did not believe the comment was intended maliciously and that he had apologised immediately.</p> <p>“I have absolutely no recollection of any of this, and I do not believe that it happened,” he wrote. “However, I want to be clear that I've always had the view that any racial language is wholly unacceptable in any environment.”</p> <p>He added that he was “shocked and saddened” by the outcome of the investigation and “would never wish to cause anyone any offence.”</p> <p>Torode’s exit follows the recent sacking of his longtime co-presenter Gregg Wallace, after more than 40 allegations of inappropriate behaviour – including unwelcome physical contact – were substantiated in a separate report commissioned by Banijay UK.</p> <p>The twin departures mark the end of an era for MasterChef UK, with both presenters having fronted the show for nearly two decades. The BBC and Banijay have not yet announced who will replace them.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

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Tragic update in drowning of 7-month-old after man arrested

<p>A community is in mourning after a seven-month-old baby boy died in a suspected drowning at a popular campsite near Gympie, north of the Sunshine Coast.</p> <p>Emergency services were called to the Chatsworth Park rest area about 10.30am on Saturday, after the boy’s mother found him in a nearby lake, roughly 50 metres from their campsite.</p> <p>Bystanders desperately performed CPR while waiting for paramedics, who rushed the critically injured child to Gympie Hospital. Despite efforts to save him, the baby died later that night.</p> <p>The family had stopped at the free campground for the night while returning to their home in North Queensland.</p> <p>Detective Inspector Craig Mansfield said on Monday that the death was being treated as “unexplained”, and that investigations were ongoing.</p> <p><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">However, on Tuesday, a 42-year-old man – who police say is known to the child – was arrested in Bundamba, west of Brisbane. He has since been charged with manslaughter (domestic violence).</span></p> <p>The man is due to appear in Ipswich Magistrates Court.</p> <p>The heartbreaking case has shaken locals and left many seeking answers about how such a tragedy could unfold during what was meant to be a peaceful family stopover.</p> <p><em>Images: WIN TV / 7 NEWS</em></p>

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Outrage after puppies found with mouths taped shut

<p>In a sickening act of cruelty that has shocked even hardened animal welfare officers, two young puppies were found dumped in Queensland bushland, their mouths and paws tightly bound with tape.</p> <p>The defenceless pups, believed to be just four to five months old, were discovered in the bush off Robin Street in Chuwar, Ipswich, over the weekend. A passer-by stumbled upon the horrific scene and immediately alerted authorities.</p> <p>One of the terrified dogs was rescued on Saturday by RSPCA inspectors, who returned the next day with the first pup in the hope it would coax the second out of hiding – a heartbreaking tactic that worked.</p> <p>But the horror didn’t end there. Investigators discovered black tape on all four of the puppies’ paws, strongly suggesting they had been deliberately restrained, rendering them utterly helpless before being dumped like trash in the wilderness.</p> <p>RSPCA Queensland Chief Inspector Sheree Nitkiewicz didn’t hold back, calling the case “one of the most disturbing” she had ever seen.</p> <p>“These puppies were left defenceless and in a condition that could have easily led to prolonged suffering or death if they had not been found in time,” she said. “The actions inflicted on these puppies are utterly unacceptable, appear to have been done with clear intent, and we are determined to identify those responsible.”</p> <p>Let’s be clear: this wasn’t an accident. This was calculated, cruel and criminal.</p> <p>Animal cruelty of this kind is punishable by up to three years in prison or fines of more than $320,000. For more severe cases, the maximum penalty rises to seven years behind bars, and it’s hard to imagine what could be more severe than this.</p> <p>What makes it all the more infuriating is that help was always available. Shelters. Rescue groups. Vet clinics. There are safe, humane options for people who can’t care for their animals. Instead, someone chose to tape up two puppies and dump them to die.</p> <p>“Abandonment is never the answer,” Nitkiewicz added.</p> <p>And she’s right. Whoever did this didn’t just break the law, they betrayed the most basic standards of decency.</p> <p>Thankfully, the puppies are now safe and receiving care, but their physical wounds may pale in comparison to the trauma they’ve suffered. As for justice, that’s where the public comes in. The RSPCA is pleading for anyone with information to come forward. If you saw anything suspicious around Robin Street in Chuwar, or if you know someone who recently had two puppies they no longer do, say something. Don’t let these pups suffer in silence.</p> <p>Information can be reported anonymously via the RSPCA Hotline on 1300 ANIMAL (264 625) or online at <a href="https://www.rspcaqld.org.au/contact-us/report-cruelty" target="_blank" rel="noopener">rspcaqld.org.au</a>.</p> <p>Let’s find the person responsible. And let’s make sure they face the full force of the law.</p> <p><em>Images: RSPCA</em></p>

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Second childcare centre firebombed in suspected arson attack

<p>A second childcare centre in Sydney has been damaged by fire just days after another was deliberately set alight in a suspected firebombing attack.</p> <p>Emergency services were called to the Play and Learn centre on Excelsior Avenue in Castle Hill about 1.30am on Monday following reports of a blaze. Fire crews quickly extinguished the flames, which caused only minor damage to the building. No injuries were reported.</p> <p>NSW Police confirmed a crime scene has been established, with detectives investigating the circumstances of the incident.</p> <p>"Officers attached to The Hills Police Area Command have established a crime scene and are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident," police said in a statement.</p> <p>Authorities are now probing whether the Castle Hill fire is linked to a suspicious blaze at another Play and Learn facility in Turramurra last Friday.</p> <p>In that incident, emergency services responded around 4.25am to find the centre engulfed in flames. Investigators believe a group of masked men broke through the front door, poured petrol inside the foyer and set it alight.</p> <p>The Turramurra centre also suffered minor damage, but the chilling nature of the attack has left staff and parents reeling.</p> <p>"No words, I'm just in shock. It just really hurts," Play and Learn head of operations Jemma Quinlan <a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/second-childcare-centre-arson-sydney-castle-hill-play-to-learn/d8cedc59-9d9f-4089-9463-e2952537b158" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told 9News</a> after the Friday fire. "At the crux of it, we're here to serve the community and today we can't."</p> <p>The Turramurra centre was declared a crime scene and closed for the day. Parents were left shaken by the news.</p> <p>"I'm feeling a little bit scared, what is happening here," said parent Princi Chauhel.</p> <p>Police and forensic teams are continuing to investigate both incidents. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.</p> <p><em>Images: 7News</em></p>

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Call for life ban after ugly post-Origin incident

<p>NSW utility Connor Watson was nearly <a href="https://www.codesports.com.au/nrl/can-thrown-at-nsw-star-reece-robson/video/80a0dcf962b88497d7ad6a708b743739" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hit by a full can of alcohol</a> in a shocking post-match incident at Accor Stadium, moments after Queensland’s State of Origin win on Wednesday night.</p> <p>The ugly episode unfolded as the Roosters player made his way through the stands to see loved ones after the final whistle, with disturbing footage showing a projectile narrowly missing him as he greeted fans.</p> <p><a href="https://www.codesports.com.au/nrl/can-thrown-at-nsw-star-reece-robson/video/80a0dcf962b88497d7ad6a708b743739" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Captured on video and shared by Code Sports</a>, Watson had been walking up the first tier of seating when the object – reportedly a full can of Canadian Club – was hurled from above.</p> <p>The video shows stadium-goers shouting Watson’s name before the can is thrown. The item lands alarmingly close to him just as he shakes hands with a spectator.</p> <p>Watson later described the moment as “shocking”.</p> <p>“I’ve had to go up there, my family and friends were up there,” Watson told Code Sports. “One of my mates is in a wheelchair, and he can’t come down the stairs, so I have walked up there to go see him.</p> <p>“As I’m walking, a can of Canadian Club lands right next to me and it’s like someone had thrown it at me.</p> <p>“If they did throw it... the words I want to use for it... I can’t say right now.</p> <p>“If it was thrown, it’s disappointing to think someone thinks it’s OK to do that.</p> <p>“If that got me in the head... it seemed like it came from the top level.</p> <p>“These younger guys, came up to me saying they have footage of the incident, of me walking and the can landing right next to me.</p> <p>“It’s disappointing to be honest.</p> <p>“I’m just going up to visit my family and friends, I shouldn’t have to worry about someone throwing a can at me.</p> <p>“If someone has done it, they should do something about it.”</p> <p>Security was later seen responding to the area. A stadium spokesperson confirmed the incident is under review.</p> <p>“Stadium security staff are reviewing CCTV footage and will work with police,” the spokesperson said.</p> <p>The person responsible could face a ban from future events at the venue, and police may launch a formal investigation.</p> <p><em>Images: Code Sports</em></p>

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Radio host at the centre of fatal royal prank sues network

<p>More than a decade after a prank call to a London hospital triggered international outrage and tragedy, Australian radio presenter Michael Christian is suing Southern Cross Austereo (SCA), claiming the broadcaster failed to protect and support him in the aftermath.</p> <p>Christian was co-hosting 2Day FM’s breakfast show alongside Mel Greig in December 2012 when the pair placed an on-air prank call to King Edward VII Hospital, where the then-Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, was being treated for severe morning sickness.</p> <p>Christian, who had only been on the job for two days, claims in a newly filed federal court lawsuit that he and Greig were instructed by the show's production team to impersonate King Charles and Queen Elizabeth II to extract medical information.</p> <p>The call was answered by nurse Jacintha Saldanha, who transferred the hoax call through to the Duchess’ attending nurse. Days later, Saldanha was found dead, having taken her own life. In a note left behind, she blamed the radio stunt and the hospital’s handling of the situation for her death.</p> <p>The incident sparked a global media storm, intense public criticism and death threats directed at the hosts. Christian’s lawsuit alleges that SCA did little to shield them from the backlash.</p> <p>According to the court documents, Christian was assured by the company that if any broadcast content crossed a line, SCA would “step in”.</p> <p>His legal team claims that promise was broken: “The radio presenters were left by SCA as the convenient fall guys and scapegoats for SCA management decisions and non-compliance”.</p> <p>Christian also alleges the prank violated the Australian Communication and Media Authority code of practice. The documents state that the reason for the long delay in taking legal action was SCA’s promise to restore Christian’s reputation and help rebuild his career – a promise he claims was never fulfilled.</p> <p>His lawyers argue that the broadcaster failed to provide “meaningful health support”, initiate a public relations campaign to repair his public image, or offer career advancement or financial recognition for his continued loyalty.</p> <p>The situation escalated earlier this year when Christian was made redundant by the company in February. He contends the redundancy was not genuine, stating, “SCA still requires (his) former role to be performed”.</p> <p>Now, Christian is seeking financial compensation, damages, and penalties for what he describes as SCA’s negligence and breach of duty.</p> <p>Southern Cross Austereo has not yet filed a defence but issued a brief public statement: “As the matter is currently before the courts, and out of respect for the legal process and the privacy of those involved, it would be inappropriate for us to comment at this time.”</p> <p>A court date is yet to be set.</p> <p><em>Image: Supplied</em></p>

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Chilling images and CCTV released after Erin Patterson guilty verdict

<p>The haunting final images of the deadly mushroom lunch that shocked Australia – and much of the world – have now been made public, hours after Erin Patterson was convicted of murdering three of her in-laws and attempting to kill a fourth.</p> <p>Patterson, 50, was found guilty by a unanimous jury in the Victorian Supreme Court on Monday afternoon, following a 10-week trial and a week of deliberations. She now faces a possible life sentence for the deaths of Don and Gail Patterson, both 70, and Gail’s sister Heather Wilkinson, 66, as well as the attempted murder of Heather’s husband, Ian Wilkinson.</p> <p>Shortly after the verdicts were read – each one met with silence from the packed courtroom – the court released a trove of exhibits previously seen only by jurors. Among them: photographs of the individual beef Wellingtons served at the now-infamous lunch in Leongatha, each laced with deadly death cap mushrooms; hospital-bed images of Patterson after she presented with diarrhoea; and damning CCTV footage of her dumping a food dehydrator at a waste station just hours after being discharged.</p> <p>The dehydrator, prosecutors argued, had been used to dry the toxic mushrooms, key evidence Patterson sought to dispose of before investigators could find it.</p> <p>Jurors were also shown a series of photographs Patterson had taken herself, showing mushrooms drying inside the appliance. While Patterson claimed the fatal lunch was a tragic accident, and that she had eaten the same meal but vomited afterward, the prosecution said the disposal of the dehydrator – and her lies to police, doctors and health authorities – pointed to premeditation.</p> <p><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2025/07/PattersonPics1-Supreme-Court-of-Victoria.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="822" /></p> <p><em>Leftovers of the fatal Beef Wellington were found in Patterson's bin and sent to scientists for testing.</em></p> <p>The sole survivor of the July 29, 2023, lunch, Ian Wilkinson, testified that Patterson had served her guests the beef Wellington parcels on different plates to her own. Prosecutors used this, along with inconsistencies in Patterson’s stories, to argue the poisonings were deliberate.</p> <p>One of the most striking pieces of footage shown to the jury – and now released publicly – was grainy CCTV from the Koonwarra Transfer Station. In it, Patterson is seen driving in alone and unloading a bag that investigators say contained the dehydrator. The footage captured a crucial moment in the Crown’s case: a deliberate attempt to destroy evidence just hours after she had been released from Monash Hospital.</p> <p><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2025/07/PattersonPics2-Supreme-Court-of-Victoria.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="947" /></p> <p><em>Erin Patterson inside Leongatha Hospital being treated for what she said was diarrhoea, caused by eating the Beef Wellingtons.</em></p> <p>Patterson, who wore a paisley blouse and sat expressionless as the jury’s foreperson read out four guilty verdicts, had pleaded not guilty to all charges. During her eight days on the witness stand, she admitted she may have included foraged mushrooms in the meal, despite initially lying to police and saying they were store-bought.</p> <p>“They tasted good and I didn’t get sick,” she told the jury, describing her past experiences preparing wild mushrooms.</p> <p>The case captivated the nation and drew international headlines, with true crime podcasts and media outlets following every twist. Yet the most confronting details remained sealed, until now.</p> <p>The newly released visuals offer a chilling glimpse into the deadly domestic meal that would end three lives and forever alter another. They also reveal the quiet, methodical actions Patterson took in the hours and days that followed—images that played a pivotal role in the jury’s decision.</p> <p>The families of the victims, who had attended every day of the trial, were not in court for the verdict. A close friend of Patterson’s, Ali Rose Prior, told reporters outside the court she was “saddened” by the outcome.</p> <p>"I didn’t have any expectations. It’s the justice system and it has to be what it is," she said, confirming she planned to visit Patterson in prison.</p> <p><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2025/07/PattersonPics3-Supreme-Court-of-Victoria.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p><em>Mushrooms dehydrating on scales in Patterson's home, and the dehydrator Patterson dumped at the tip.</em></p> <p>Justice Christopher Beale praised the jury for their conduct and excused them from future jury duty for 15 years. A pre-sentence hearing is expected later this year.</p> <p>In a statement, Victoria Police extended their support to the families of the victims and acknowledged the exhaustive work of homicide detectives throughout what they described as a “complex investigation”.</p> <p>The images now released will likely remain etched in the public consciousness as symbols of one of Australia’s most shocking domestic crimes – a seemingly ordinary lunch, documented in photos and CCTV, that turned fatal.</p> <p><em>Images: Supreme Court of Victoria</em></p>

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"Guilty": Erin Patterson spends first night behind bars

<p>After spending her first night in prison as a convicted triple murderer, Victorian woman Erin Patterson is now likely to spend the rest of her life behind bars.</p> <p>The 50-year-old mother of two was found guilty on Monday of three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder, following the now-infamous mushroom lunch that shocked Australia and made international headlines.</p> <p>In July 2023, Patterson hosted a family lunch at her Leongatha home, serving beef Wellington parcels later found to be laced with deadly death cap mushrooms. Days later, her former in-laws Don and Gail Patterson, both 70, and their sister-in-law Heather Wilkinson, 66, died in hospital. Heather’s husband, Ian Wilkinson, survived but spent weeks critically ill in intensive care.</p> <p>As Patterson was transported from the Morwell court precinct to a Melbourne prison on Monday evening, someone in the crowd shouted “murderer” – a public outburst reflecting the emotional weight of a case that has gripped the country.</p> <p>The verdict came after an 11-week trial and a full week of jury deliberations. It was based largely on circumstantial evidence, including Patterson’s own testimony over eight days, forensic findings, and suspicious online activity uncovered by investigators.</p> <p>Dr Brianna Chesser, a forensic psychologist and criminal law expert from RMIT University, said the conviction was not surprising.</p> <p>“Whenever you have any lies in a trial it is quite a difficult thing to overcome from a defence perspective,” she said. “What came out regarding the mushrooms was almost insurmountable.”</p> <p>Among the most damning evidence was a police search of Patterson’s home, which uncovered beef Wellington scraps in a bin later confirmed to contain toxic death cap mushrooms. Prosecutors also pointed to online searches on a phone linked to Patterson, allegedly showing she had researched the lethal fungi. That device, described as her primary phone in 2023, was never recovered.</p> <p>The Supreme Court has since released several pieces of evidence presented during the trial, including toxicology photos, images of Patterson’s hospital visit, and a video showing her discharging herself from Leongatha Hospital within minutes of arrival, a visit that followed her own brief illness after the meal.</p> <p>Dr Chesser noted the highly unusual nature of the case, not only because of the method used, but because the accused was a woman. “The story captivated the world,” she said. “The vast majority of homicides are committed by men.”</p> <p>Patterson will return to court for a pre-sentence hearing later in 2025. She faces a mandatory life sentence for the three murders, though her mental health and lack of prior offences could be considered in sentencing.</p> <p>“It’s going to be quite a large sentence,” Dr Chesser said. “We’ve heard during cross-examination that there are some mental health concerns. That may well act as a mitigating factor.”</p> <p>As for a possible appeal, options would be limited to major legal errors or the emergence of new evidence, scenarios considered unlikely at this stage.</p> <p>For now, Patterson remains behind bars, the centre of one of Australia’s most chilling and tragic domestic crime cases in recent memory.</p> <p><em>Images: Sunrise</em></p>

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Australia's worst drivers caught on camera

<p>Western Australia's drivers have made headlines – and not the good kind – with police left shaking their heads and muttering “mind-boggling” after a high-tech camera trial captured more than 130,000 road offences in just six months.</p> <p>The cameras, rolled out across hotspots since January 26, have been snapping everything from missing seatbelts to mobile phone acrobatics, with one driver managing the feat of being caught <em>81 times</em>. </p> <p>Police Minister Reece Whitby laid out the astonishing numbers in WA Parliament on Tuesday, describing the evidence as “quite astonishing” and the rate of offending as “astounding”. “I cannot believe that one driver has been caught offending 81 times,” he said, no doubt wondering if that driver even knows what a road rule is.</p> <p>In total, the AI-powered cameras – apparently more observant than some humans – spotted 50,000 people misusing seatbelts, and 75,000 using phones illegally. That’s 800 offences every single day. Makes you nostalgic for the days when traffic violations were rare enough to make dinner conversation.</p> <p>Among the greatest hits caught on camera:</p> <ul> <li>A driver simultaneously drinking beer and using a mobile phone, while forgoing the inconvenience of a seatbelt.</li> <li>A motorist smoking a glass pipe (yes, <em>that</em> kind).</li> <li>Someone literally holding a child while driving.</li> <li>A P-plater outsourcing steering duties to their passenger.</li> <li>And a personal favourite: a driver cruising with their leg casually resting on the dashboard. Perhaps auditioning for <em>Australia’s Got Lazy Limbs</em>?</li> </ul> <p>“These cameras are the most advanced in the country,” Whitby said, showing off images of offenders mid-disaster. “They capture multiple offending within the cabin of the vehicle.” Unfortunately, they can’t yet capture common sense.</p> <p>The Road Safety Commission backed the rollout, noting other states had seen massive behavioural shifts after similar tech went live. “Queensland saw nearly a 75 per cent drop-off in the first months after it introduced similar cameras,” said Commissioner Adrian Warner. “We are hopeful… there will be a significant shift in behaviour.”</p> <p>One could argue that shift should probably start before you're caught 50 times.</p> <p>For now, the cameras are still in “trial mode”, meaning over 44,000 caution letters have been issued instead of fines. But come October, the real fun begins – and by fun, we mean fines. A lot of them.</p> <p>“If this continues at the rate we’ve seen, we are going to see revenue roll in like we’ve never seen it before,” Whitby warned, “and I’ll be gladly spending it on more safety measures.”</p> <p>Translation: keep it up, and we’ll have gold-plated speed bumps and diamond-studded seatbelt reminders in no time.</p> <p>So buckle up (correctly), put the phone down, and maybe – just maybe – don’t smoke anything while driving. WA’s new cameras are watching, and frankly, they’ve seen enough.</p> <p><em>Images: WA Govt / Road Safety Commission</em></p>

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That was fast: Diamond roundabout removed – instant chaos ensues

<p>Just when Sydney motorists thought the <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/travel-trouble/could-this-be-australia-s-worst-roundabout" target="_blank" rel="noopener">saga of the “diamond roundabout”</a> was finally in the rearview mirror, it made a spectacular comeback – not in physical form, but as the ghost of traffic confusion past.</p> <p>On Monday, a collision between a car and a truck was reported at the site of the now-former diamond-shaped roundabout on Fifteenth Avenue in Austral. You might remember it: the avant-garde traffic solution that resembled a normal roundabout's edgy cousin who took a geometry class and got carried away.</p> <p>The roundabout – which became a viral sensation for all the wrong reasons – was removed over the weekend after baffled drivers decided the best way to use it was to ignore it entirely and plough straight through, as captured in glorious dashcam footage. One highlight included a large truck behaving like Pac-Man, charging directly over the diamond while a fleet of SUVs followed in hot pursuit.</p> <p>The artistic experiment in traffic flow was met with widespread ridicule, even prompting one local councillor to label it “embarrassing” – a term rarely used lightly in Australian politics unless someone’s been caught on a jet ski during a flood.</p> <p>Council took the criticism on board, rolled out the high-vis and painted over the offending geometry. The plan? Replace it with a traditional, good old-fashioned circular roundabout. But as with all good plans, there was a slight hiccup: Monday came, no roundabout existed (of any shape), and – surprise! – an accident occurred.</p> <p>“People over the weekend were still driving like the roundabout was still there, it’s confused people and it’s a bloody mess,” one local woman <a href="https://au.news.yahoo.com/residents-erupt-after-incident-at-controversial-roundabout-a-mess-045054839.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told Yahoo News</a>, managing to sum up both the situation and modern life in a single sentence.</p> <p>Another resident chimed in with, “It was bound to happen”, and a third suggested those responsible should take accountability – though it’s unclear whether they meant the traffic planners, or perhaps Pythagoras.</p> <p>Local MP Nathan Hagarty also got involved, arriving on-site with the weary air of a man who has seen one too many traffic experiments go horribly wrong. “Cars are still stopping, they’re not sure what to do,” he explained helpfully in a social media video, as if narrating a wildlife documentary about confused suburban sedans.</p> <p>But Hagarty wasn’t finished. “I think some serious questions need to be asked to Liverpool Council and the contractors… how much money has been wasted?” he said, echoing the sentiment of anyone who’s ever watched a government try to install anything more complicated than a speed bump.</p> <p>Liverpool City Council, for their part, confirmed the roundabout is officially gone. “There is no roundabout, it’s gone,” a spokesperson clarified, as if the public might believe it had simply rotated out of view.</p> <p>To sum up: there was a roundabout, but it was a diamond, which confused everyone. Then there was no roundabout, which confused everyone even more. At this point, locals are simply asking for a flat bit of road with some arrows and maybe a friendly traffic warden holding a sign that says “Please try your best”.</p> <p>No one was injured in the Monday crash – except, perhaps, the last shreds of dignity clinging to local traffic planning.</p> <p><em>Images: Today show / Facebook</em></p>

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Teen charged with murder of popular Brisbane CEO

<p>The co-founder of popular Australian fashion brand Universal Store, Greg Josephson, has been tragically stabbed to death during a house party at his home in Clayfield, one of Brisbane’s most affluent suburbs.</p> <p>Police were called to Mr Josephson’s residence shortly after 8pm on Thursday night, where they discovered the 58-year-old businessman dead upstairs. A large party, attended by around 30 teenagers, was underway at the time.</p> <p>A 15-year-old boy, also from Clayfield, was arrested near the scene and has since been charged with one count of murder. He was refused bail and is expected to appear before Brisbane Children’s Court.</p> <p>Police say the altercation between Mr Josephson and the teen involved a “household implement” rather than a knife, and confirmed the incident was not a case of someone bringing a weapon to the party.</p> <p>“There was some sort of altercation that’s resulted in this 58-year-old male tragically losing his life,” said Acting Assistant Commissioner Rhys Wildman. “It’s not a case of carrying knives – it’s unfortunately allotted in a home.”</p> <p>Inspector Jane Healy said the teenager himself contacted police after the incident, claiming involvement and knowledge of what had occurred. “He is the only person who was aware of what happened,” she said.</p> <p>The scene that greeted officers was described as “chaotic, confusing and confronting”, with the home quickly cordoned off as a crime scene. Other teenagers at the party were taken to Boondall Police Station, where they were interviewed and later reunited with their families.</p> <p>“This is quite a traumatic incident that occurred,” Mr Wildman said. “So the welfare of those young people will also be considered in this.”</p> <p>Police confirmed that the murder weapon has been recovered and that the Child Protection Investigation Unit is leading inquiries. The motive for the deadly altercation remains under investigation, with officers still working to piece together the full timeline of events.</p> <p>Mr Josephson was well-known in Brisbane’s business and retail circles. After graduating with a commerce degree from Griffith University in 1987, he spent over a decade in high-level leasing roles at Jones Lang LaSalle, Lendlease, and Westfield before co-founding Universal Store with his brother Michael in 1999. Their first store opened in Carindale, with the brand eventually expanding to more than 80 locations nationwide.</p> <p>He sold his stake in the company in 2018 when it was valued at around $100 million and later invested in hospitality, including the purchase of Noosa Reef Hotel for $13.9 million in 2021.</p> <p>Friends and former colleagues have expressed shock at the sudden and violent loss. “We are completely in shock,” said one close friend. “He was such a kind person, you just don’t expect this to happen so close to you. It’s just so incredibly sad.”</p> <p>In a statement released on Friday, Universal Store paid tribute to their former founder:</p> <p>“We wanted to share the sad news that Greg Josephson, who founded our company and played a significant role until 2018, has recently passed away. Our sincere thoughts and condolences are with his family at this very sad time.”</p> <p><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">Investigations are ongoing, and </span>police are urging anyone with information, CCTV, or dashcam footage from the Clayfield area to contact Crime Stoppers.</p> <p><em>Images: Supplied</em></p>

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Young Aussie doctor arrested after alleged discovery of thousands of child abuse files

<p>A young Australian doctor has been charged with multiple child abuse offences after police allegedly uncovered more than 5000 files of explicit material on his mobile phone.</p> <p>Gregory John Couch, 37, was arrested at a home in Albury, on the New South Wales–Victoria border, at 6am on Tuesday following a joint investigation between state police and federal border authorities.</p> <p>Detectives from the NSW Sex Crime Squad allege Couch’s phone was seized by Australian Border Force officers at Melbourne Airport in May. A forensic examination of the device allegedly revealed thousands of images and videos depicting child abuse.</p> <p>Footage released by NSW Police shows Couch – dressed in track pants, a jacket and ugg boots – being led from the home by Strike Force detectives before being taken into custody.</p> <p>He was later charged at Albury Police Station with three offences: possession of child abuse material, use of a carriage service to access child abuse material, and intentionally importing prohibited tier two goods.</p> <p>Police have confirmed there is no suggestion at this stage that any of the offences involved patients, with authorities stressing that no alleged misconduct is linked to his clinical work.</p> <p>Couch had recently been working as a locum orthopaedic registrar at Albury Wodonga Health (AWH), engaged through a third-party medical workforce agency. In a statement issued Wednesday, AWH confirmed the doctor is no longer employed by the service.</p> <p>“We understand the seriousness of the charges and the matter is now before the courts,” the statement read. “AWH has no indication that any alleged misconduct occurred at our facilities or involved our patients or staff. All standard background checks, including Working with Children and police checks, were passed prior to his commencement.”</p> <p>Originally from Sydney, Couch previously worked at Liverpool Hospital and had recently relocated to the Gold Coast. His social media presence includes photos from his wedding in 2021 and family images taken in the years prior.</p> <p>Tragically, his twin brother Andrew – also a doctor – died suddenly in his sleep in 2017. That same year, Couch accepted Andrew’s posthumous Master of Medicine degree from the University of Sydney, surrounded by family. Memorial awards have since been established in Andrew's honour by both the university and the Australian & New Zealand College of Anaesthetists.</p> <p>Couch remains before the courts and the investigation is ongoing.</p> <p><em>Image: NSW Police Force</em></p>

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"Bewildering" Titanic stunt on freeway hits an iceberg of fines

<p>A car passenger and driver in Victoria’s alpine region have been fined around $1200 and slapped with three demerit points for recreating one of cinema’s most iconic – and, as it turns out, most impractical –  moments.</p> <p>The incident unfolded on Mount Buller Road in Merrijig, where highway patrol officers conducting routine speed checks witnessed a scene straight out of <em>Titanic – </em>minus the ocean, romance and, thankfully, icebergs. A Jeep allegedly hurtled along at 100km/h while a woman stood tall through its sunroof, arms flung wide in the classic “I’m flying” pose. Because nothing says I'm the king of the world like risking your head on a country road.</p> <p>“Her arms were spread wide in the air as the Jeep was travelling,” Victoria Police reported, as they no doubt resisted the urge to cue Celine Dion’s greatest hit over the radio.</p> <p>But if the woman was hoping to channel Jack and Rose, the only heart that went on belonged to the officer who wrote up the fine. According to police, while <em>Titanic</em> references “immediately came to mind”, they “couldn’t hear a cry of ‘I’m the King of The World’ and instead believed the passenger likely had some other words” when she realised she was pulling the stunt right past a fully marked police car.</p> <p><a href="https://www.police.vic.gov.au/titanic-fines-high-country-driving-stunt" target="_blank" rel="noopener">In a statement</a> that proved the force’s sense of humour was unsinkable, Victoria Police confirmed:</p> <p>“Near, far, wherever you are… police are out and about on the roads. The vehicle was intercepted and officers were quick to draw up some fines like one of those French girls.”</p> <p>The passenger received a $600 slap on the wrist for her starring role, while the driver, who apparently thought this was a great idea, scored a matching $600 in fines and three demerit points for aiding and abetting the floating fantasy.</p> <p>Police reminded the public that, while <em>Titanic</em> may have had a tragic ending, this roadside reenactment could have gone just as badly – without the benefit of a box-office record or Academy Awards to show for it.</p> <p>So next time you’re tempted to turn your Jeep into the <em>RMS Titanic</em>, remember: the only thing that’ll be going down is your bank balance.</p> <p><em>Images: Victoria Police</em></p>

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