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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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How Iran will likely retaliate following US military strikes

<p>US President Donald Trump’s decision to launch airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities has plunged the Middle East into renewed uncertainty, with fears escalating over how Tehran might respond in the coming days.</p> <p>Speaking from Istanbul on Sunday, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the strikes as a “grave violation” of the UN Charter, international law, and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). In a statement posted to social media, Araghchi warned that Iran has “a variety of options” for retaliation.</p> <p>“The events this morning are outrageous and will have everlasting consequences,” Araghchi said. “In accordance with the UN Charter and its provisions allowing a legitimate response in self-defence, Iran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interests, and people.”</p> <p>UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres voiced deep concern over the escalation, warning of a “growing risk that this conflict could rapidly get out of control”.</p> <p><strong>Potential Flashpoints for Retaliation</strong></p> <p>Experts say Iran could target US military interests across the region. With around 40,000 US troops stationed at 19 sites in the Middle East – including 2,500 in Iraq – Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) may turn to its network of proxies in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen. The Iran-backed Houthi rebels have already hinted at renewed attacks on US ships in the Red Sea, calling for Trump to “bear the consequences” of the strikes.</p> <p>Iran might also seek to disrupt global oil trade by attempting to close the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane for 20 million barrels of oil per day. Such a move could send shockwaves through global markets, pushing up oil prices and jeopardising Trump’s economic agenda.</p> <p>Meanwhile, hardline voices in Tehran are calling for missile strikes in retaliation. Hossein Shariatmadari, a prominent adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader, warned that after the US attack on the Fordow nuclear facility, “it is now our turn.”</p> <p><strong>Nuclear Fallout</strong></p> <p>Analysts fear that Trump’s actions could push Iran to abandon diplomacy altogether and accelerate its nuclear ambitions. Trita Parsi of the Quincy Institute said the strike “guaranteed that Iran will be a nuclear weapons state in the next five to 10 years”, particularly if hardliners take power.</p> <p>There is also speculation that Iran may withdraw from the NPT, removing one of the last formal restraints on its nuclear program. Ali Vaez of the International Crisis Group said an NPT withdrawal is “quite likely.”</p> <p><strong>A War of Attrition or Asymmetric Warfare?</strong></p> <p>Faced with overwhelming US and Israeli military power, Iran could opt for a war of attrition, using asymmetric tactics such as cyberattacks and terrorism to wear down its adversaries. The IRGC, while damaged by Israeli strikes, still retains the capacity to carry out operations both within and beyond the region, experts say.</p> <p><strong>The Diplomatic Deadlock</strong></p> <p>Hopes for renewed nuclear talks appear dim. Araghchi said on Sunday that the US had “blown up” diplomatic efforts, accusing both Washington and Tel Aviv of sabotaging negotiations. While talks with European powers reportedly made some progress last week, analysts say the latest escalation has likely shut the door on diplomacy – at least for now.</p> <p>“Their aim is to force Trump to stop Netanyahu’s war,” said Parsi, referring to Israel’s Prime Minister. “But by doing so, Tehran may have handed Israel a veto on US-Iran diplomacy.”</p> <p>As the world watches for Tehran’s next move, the stakes could hardly be higher – for Iran, for the region and for global stability.</p> <p><em>Images: Supplied</em></p>

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Three Aussie men may face death penalty over fatal Bali shooting

<p>Three Australian men have been arrested by Indonesian police over <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/travel-trouble/new-details-emerge-after-aussie-shot-dead-in-bali" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a deadly shooting</a> at a villa on the resort island of Bali that left one Australian dead and another seriously injured.</p> <p>Bali police chief Daniel Adityajaya confirmed the arrests on Tuesday, stating the men had “prepared and executed” the shooting, which took place just after midnight on Saturday at Villa Casa Santisya near Munggu Beach in Badung, north of Kuta.</p> <p>“We have arrested three suspects,” Adityajaya said, adding that the men face charges of premeditated murder. If convicted, they could face the death penalty under Indonesian law.</p> <p>The incident claimed the life of 32-year-old Zivan Radmanovic and left another Australian, 35-year-old Sanar Ghanim, seriously wounded. Radmanovic was shot in a bathroom where police later recovered 17 bullet casings and two intact bullets.</p> <p>Radmanovic’s wife, Gourdeas Jazmyn, 30, told police she awoke to her husband’s screams shortly before midnight. She hid under a blanket as she heard multiple gunshots, later finding Radmanovic dead and Ghanim critically injured. Ghanim, who was also beaten during the attack, was taken to hospital and has since been released under police supervision. He is considered a key witness in the case.</p> <p>Authorities initially arrested one of the suspects at Soekarno-Hatta airport near Jakarta as he attempted to leave the country. The two others were detained abroad with the assistance of Interpol in South-East Asia, although police have not revealed where those arrests took place.</p> <p>Officers seized a nine-millimetre firearm, a motorcycle, and two cars believed to have been used in the suspects’ escape.</p> <p>Police have not disclosed a motive for the crime and say investigations are ongoing. Adityajaya noted that a fourth suspect, believed to be the mastermind behind the attack, may still be identified.</p> <p><em>Images: Singapore police / 9News</em></p>

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Council to refund up to $12m in parking fines after 12-year error

<p>Drivers across Melbourne’s inner north are set to be refunded millions of dollars in parking fines after Merri-bek City Council admitted to overcharging motorists for more than a decade due to an administrative blunder.</p> <p>The council, formerly known as Moreland, revealed this week it had incorrectly issued parking fines worth up to $12 million between July 1, 2013 and June 11, 2025. Around 248,000 infringements are believed to be affected, with individual refunds ranging from $43 to $59 depending on when the fine was issued.</p> <p>The error stemmed from the council charging 0.5 penalty units for certain parking violations – without having the necessary resolution in place. Under Victorian law, in the absence of a formal resolution, the maximum charge should have been 0.2 penalty units.</p> <p>“Unfortunately, it has recently been discovered that there was no resolution in place setting this value,” the council said in a statement. “This was due to an administrative error in 2013, which has not been identified until recently.”</p> <p>The fines in question relate primarily to overstaying time limits in “green sign zones” and other minor parking infringements. The 11 affected offence types include failing to park at the correct angle, parking outside a marked bay, or stopping in designated motorbike or bicycle parking areas.</p> <p>Merri-bek City Council chief executive officer Cathy Henderson apologised for the long-standing oversight.</p> <p>“Today’s announcement reflects Merri-bek City Council’s commitment to integrity, transparency and fairness. Now that we have found the mistake, we are fixing it,” she said. “This is a regrettable historical administrative error, and we apologise for the impact of the overcharge.”</p> <p>Henderson emphasised that parking fines are reinvested into community services and facilities, and that parking controls remain necessary to ensure fair access to limited spaces.</p> <p>The council will launch a Parking Fines Refund Scheme in July, offering affected motorists 12 months to apply for a refund. Fines Victoria has confirmed it will place impacted outstanding fines on hold during this process, suspending enforcement action and additional fees.</p> <p>“Fines Victoria will continue to work with Merri-bek City Council as they take action to resolve this matter,” the agency said in an online statement.</p> <p>Drivers keen to find out if they are eligible for a refund can <a href="https://www.merri-bek.vic.gov.au/my-council/news-and-publications/news/parking-fines-refund-scheme/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">visit the Merri-bek City Council website</a> for further details.</p> <p><em>Image: Merri-bek City Council</em></p>

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How this driver lost 22 demerit points and $1800 in a single traffic stop

<p>A NSW learner driver has been hit with nearly $1,800 in fines and an eye-watering 22 demerit points in a single traffic stop, prompting police to issue a stern reminder about the importance of following road rules – especially for novice drivers.</p> <p>The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon when Mittagong Highway Patrol officers clocked a silver Saab convertible travelling at 129km/h in a 110km/h zone on the Hume Highway near Penrose.</p> <p>What initially appeared to be a simple speeding matter quickly snowballed into a catalogue of serious offences. The driver – a male holder of a NSW Learner's Class C licence – should not have been travelling above 90km/h and was also found not to be displaying the required yellow L plates on either the front or rear of the vehicle.</p> <p>Upon stopping the vehicle at 4.15pm, officers discovered a mobile phone mounted near the steering wheel, playing a YouTube music video. When questioned, the driver swiped the screen to a map app and claimed he was "just looking at the map". In NSW, learner and provisional drivers are prohibited from using a mobile phone for any reason, including navigation.</p> <p>Compounding the offences, the driver’s female supervisor told police she had been asleep in the passenger seat – a direct violation of her legal duty to actively supervise the learner.</p> <p>The full list of infringements included: <span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">Exceeding speed by more than 30km/h: $1,045 fine and 10 demerit points (doubled for long weekend); </span>Learner using a mobile phone: $410 fine and 10 demerit points (doubled); Failure to display L plates: $320 fine and 2 demerit points (doubled).</p> <p>With double demerits in effect due to the long weekend, the driver racked up 22 demerit points – far exceeding the four-point limit for learners – resulting in an automatic licence suspension, with a formal disqualification from NSW Transport to follow.</p> <p>The female supervisor also received a penalty for failing to fulfil her supervisory obligations.</p> <p>NSW Traffic and Highway Patrol officers said the case is a stark example of reckless behaviour behind the wheel and urged all drivers, especially learners, to understand and respect the rules of the road.</p> <p><em>Images: NSW Traffic and Highway Patrol Command</em></p> <p>“This is exactly what not to do,” an officer said.</p>

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Bones and clothing found in new search for Madeleine McCann

<p>Fragments of bone and items of clothing discovered during a recent search for Madeleine McCann in Portugal have been sent to Germany for forensic testing, according to new reports that offer a glimmer of hope in the long-running mystery.</p> <p>Despite initial claims the three-day operation yielded nothing significant, German media outlet Berliner Morgenpost reports that investigators did, in fact, collect “several objects” from the search site near Praia da Luz – an area linked to the prime suspect, Christian Brueckner.</p> <p>German police, in collaboration with Portuguese authorities, used ground-penetrating radar and heavy excavation equipment to comb through scrubland believed to have been used as a “rat run” by Brueckner, a convicted rapist. While early reports suggested the search was a flop, it has now emerged that small bone fragments and pieces of adult clothing were retrieved and sent to Germany for further analysis.</p> <p>A source quoted in the Morgenpost said: “Several objects have apparently been discovered, which are now being examined in more detail by the police in the laboratory. As Portuguese media report, clothing debris and bones were found, among other things. The investigators have not officially commented on whether the finds could have anything to do with Madeleine’s disappearance but that is clearly their hope.”</p> <p>Christian Brueckner, 38, has been under intense scrutiny since 2020 when German police named him as the prime suspect in the case. He is currently serving time in prison for unrelated offences, but prosecutors have struggled to secure a fresh arrest warrant tied to Madeleine’s disappearance due to a lack of concrete forensic evidence.</p> <p>This latest development may prove critical. Without a direct link tying Brueckner to the crime, authorities risk being unable to extend legal proceedings against him.</p> <p>Adding fuel to the speculation, British tabloid <em>The Sun</em> recently aired a bombshell documentary <em>Madeleine McCann: Inside the Secret Evidence</em>, which sheds light on disturbing findings at Brueckner’s abandoned factory in Germany. Items uncovered there include children’s clothing, a toddler’s bike, toys, a mask, guns and disturbing writings about child abduction – all part of what investigators describe as an overwhelming file of circumstantial evidence.</p> <p>The documentary also revealed that Brueckner allegedly discussed using chemicals like ether to kidnap a woman and child outside a preschool – details pulled directly from seized police files.</p> <p>While none of the recently discovered items have been definitively linked to Madeleine, their forensic examination is now seen as a vital next step. If a match is found, it could represent the most significant breakthrough in the case since Brueckner was identified as a suspect five years ago.</p> <p><em>Images: Supplied</em></p>

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Outrage after Aussie journo shot at LA protest

<p>Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is facing calls to seek an “urgent explanation” from the Trump administration after Australian journalist Lauren Tomasi was shot with a rubber bullet while covering protests in Los Angeles.</p> <p>Footage that emerged on Monday shows the Nine News reporter being struck in the leg by a police-fired rubber bullet as she was delivering a live report amid chaotic scenes sparked by mass immigration arrests. The sound of sporadic gunfire can be heard as Tomasi stands in front of the camera before a police officer in the background raises a weapon and fires.</p> <p>Tomasi cries out in pain, visibly shaken, before a protester yells at police, “You just f***in’ shot the reporter!” She quickly reassures those around her: “Yeah, I’m good. I’m good.”</p> <p>Later, Tomasi posted on X that she was “safe and okay”.</p> <p><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yrFJ8Vhfgt4?si=6HBXJrdeVRFGedn1" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p>The incident has drawn condemnation in Australia, with Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young describing it as “simply shocking” and demanding accountability. “It is completely unacceptable and must be called out,” she said. “The Prime Minister must seek an urgent explanation from the US administration.”</p> <p>Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles declined to comment directly on US immigration policy or law enforcement tactics under former president Donald Trump, but said he was relieved Tomasi was unharmed. “At the end of the day, how America operates its own immigration system is really a matter for the United States,” he told <em>Sky News</em>.</p> <p>Nine News issued a statement confirming Tomasi and her camera operator would continue their coverage, despite the risks. “This incident serves as a stark reminder of the inherent dangers journalists can face while reporting from the frontlines of protests,” the network said.</p> <p>Tensions flared across Los Angeles on Monday after Trump ordered the National Guard into the city following sweeping immigration raids. Protesters blocked freeways and reportedly torched several self-driving cars. Law enforcement responded with tear gas, flash-bangs and rubber bullets, declaring the downtown area an unlawful assembly zone.</p> <p>National Guard troops have been stationed at federal buildings, as multiple demonstrations over immigration enforcement continue to erupt across the city.</p> <p>Tomasi was not the only journalist injured. British photojournalist Nick Stern is reported to have undergone emergency surgery after suffering a serious leg wound during the clashes. Other reporters have reported harassment from both law enforcement and demonstrators.</p> <p>The shooting has drawn comparisons to a 2020 incident when Channel Seven reporter Amelia Brace and cameraman Tim Myers were assaulted by US police while covering Black Lives Matter protests in Washington DC’s Lafayette Square. Brace later told the US Congress she was struck by non-lethal rounds and hit with a truncheon while Myers was shot in the neck with rubber bullets.</p> <p><em>Images: 9News</em></p>

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