News Brief
Firth devastated after husband caught buying drugs
Education Minister Verity Firth said she was ”devastated” last night after learning her husband had been arrested buying a $20 ecstasy tablet on a street in Glebe.
Matthew Chesher, 44, a longtime Labor government staffer, quit his position as chief of staff to Roads Minister David Borger following the incident.
His arrest by police has plunged the Keneally government into another crisis as it heads towards almost certain election defeat in March.
Kings Cross Escapee recaptured
Police from Kings Cross Local Area Command arrested a 28-year-old prison escapee last Thursday.
The man escaped from his cell at Coffs Harbour on January 15 and a warrant was subsequently issued for his arrest.
He was arrested after Kings Cross police recognised him and took him into custody.
Man arrested after Darlinghurst hotel break-in
Keen-eyed police, investigating a break in at an inner city hotel, have arrested a man as he was walking in Surry Hills.
Police have been investigating an alleged break in at a licensed premises in Stanley Street at Darlinghurst about 2pm on 26 January.
It will be alleged that cash and a quantity of jewellery was stolen from a safe at the hotel. .
Kings Cross police officers were continuing their inquiries into the alleged break-in last night when they saw a man walking past Surry Hills Police Station in Goulburn Street.
He allegedly matched the description of a person who could assist with their inquiries. He was arrested and taken to Surry Hills Police Station.
The 35-year-old Surry Hills man was subsequently charged with aggravated break, enter and steal.
Two men charged with CBD assault
Police arrested numerous men after an altercation on George Street, near the corner of Park Street, involving two groups of males.
During the incident a 26-year-old allegedly hit a 17-year-old over the head with a bottle. The bottle also smashed the front window of a nearby store
The 26-year-old ran west onto Druitt Street and the group followed him. Allegedly an 18-year-old assaulted a 21-year-old and the 17-year-old assaulted the 26-year-old, kicking and punching him whilst he was on the ground.
Police arrived during the second assault and, whilst trying to arrest the group, used capsicum spray. Numerous males were arrested and taken to City Central Police Station.
A 17-year-old Matraville male was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He was granted conditional bail to appear in Bidura Children’s Court on the 28 February.
An 18-year-old Kogarah male was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He was granted conditional bail to appear in Downing Centre Local Court on the 21 February.
Chinese New Year celebrations kick-off
Celebrations for Chinese New Year’s started with a bang as hundreds of people flocked to Belmore Park for a night of markets, music, performance and fireworks.
Celebrations are scheduled to continue until Sunday February 6 when they will conclude with the spectacular Chinese New Year Twilight Parade.
