Train glare ends in platform gang-bashing

September 3, 2010

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gang of youths kicked a train commuter in the head in Melbourne’s east last night after he glared at them for smoking on a train then tried to barge his way to safety, say police.

Have you witnessed, or been a victim of, violence on our trains? Email us with your story

The 38-year-old Caulfield North man was on a Frankston-bound train shortly after 9.30pm when he noticed two of the boys smoking, police said.

He gave them a disapproving look just moments before he stepped off the train at Malvern station.

But police said when he got off the train the boys followed.

While the man was on the platform, police believe the group signalled to another group of young men standing nearby and yelled out an order to bash the man.

Two males police want to speak to.

In an attempt to escape, the victim then tried to run through the group, knocking three of the teens over.

But he was grabbed by the others and pulled to the ground, where he was punched and kicked repeatedly to the head, face and body.

Police said other commuters called for help and Metro staff ran to the scene, which prompted the group of attackers to run away.

The man’s injuries included swelling, bruising and soreness to his left eye, swelling to the back of his head and a minor laceration to his forehead.

The man’s clothing was torn and he received a deep cut and swelling to his left elbow and cuts to both knees.

The six attackers are described as fair-skinned, between 17 and 22 years old, of medium build and about 185 centimetres tall.

One of the attackers was wearing a blue and black stripped windcheater while another was wearing a light-coloured hooded windcheater with black insignia on the front.

Police said four of the men were wearing street clothing and baseball caps.

The victim was treated at the scene but was not taken to hospital.

‘‘We are working with Department of Transport at this point to look at CCTV footage from Malvern railway station, and will hopefully be in a position to release that later this afternoon,’’ said

Acting Superintendent Nigel Howard of the Transit Police.

Man charged over alleged Ultimo kidnapping

September 3, 2010

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Separately a man is due to appear in Sydney's Central Local Court today, charged over the alleged kidnapping of a teenager.

Police arrested a 24-year-old man after they forced their way into a hotel room in Wattle Street, Ultimo, last night.

Officers from City Central Local Area Command had been called to the business after guests heard someone calling for help about 11pm.

They arrived to see the youth allegedly being dragged into a room by the older man.

Police have been told the 17-year-old, from Epping, was being held against his will following a dispute over money.

A man, from Umina Beach, was charged with kidnapping and was refused bail until his appearance in court.

The teenager was treated for scratches to his arms and neck.

Boy escapes abduction attempt: police

September 3, 2010

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A man has tried to abduct a boy by grabbing his shirt and dragging him away as he walked to a school bus stop in Sydney's south-west, police say.

The boy had been dropped off in Leacocks Lane, Casula, by his brother just before 8am yesterday, police said.

He was grabbed by a man described as 30 years old and of Asian appearance.

But he broke free and ran back to his brother, who was sitting in a car parked nearby.

Police began canvassing the area last night after the incident was reported to them about 8.30pm, and continued speaking to local residents today.

They have urged parents to be vigilant and advised children to avoid walking on their own.

Gunmen storm Sydney home and force woman to her knees

September 2, 2010

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Two armed men stormed a Sydney woman's home, forced her to her knees and stole a small safe from the premises.

The woman heard loud banging at the front door of her home in Belfield, in Sydney's south-west, about 11pm yesterday, police said.

Two masked men armed with guns confronted her in the hallway.

One of the men forced the woman to her knees while the other man searched the house, police said.

They eventually found a small safe which contained a small amount of cash and fled with it.

The woman was not injured.

Both men were described as being of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern appearance, aged between 18 and 20, and about 170-175 centimetres tall with solid builds.

They were both wearing tracksuit pants and hooded jumpers and used scarves to cover their faces.

Anyone with information is urged to phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Police arrest Dickson man, 34, over Downer stabbing

01 Sep, 2010

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Police have arrested a 34-year-old man over a stabbing in Downer yesterday.

ACT Policing officers arrived at the Downer residence at 4.30pm to find a 32-year-old man suffering facial injuries and a stab wound to his back. The victim was transported to Calvary Hospital.

AFP Forensic Services attended and conducted an examination of the scene.

After searching the alleged offender’s Dickson home and his clothing, police seized a vehicle and a knife.

The alleged offender was taken to the ACT Watch House and charged with intentionally inflict grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and use offensive weapon dangerous to a person.

He will appear before the ACT Magistrates Court today.

Man accused of attacking co-worker in her own home

02 Sep, 2010

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A worker at the Belconnen Markets allegedly attacked a colleague in her own home after becoming infatuated with her.

Dequan Sun, 33, of Holt, appeared before the ACT Magistrates Court yesterday charged with two counts of acts of indecency and two of assault with intent to commit an act of indecency.

Police alleged Sun arrived at the woman's Weetangara home after she earlier declined an invitation to join him at lunch.

The court also heard that Sun's wife was six months' pregnant.

A police statement of facts submitted to the court said Sun allegedly trapped the woman in a bedroom at her house and pushed her on to the bed.

Police claimed he tried to kiss the woman, touched and kissed her breasts and touched her genitals after pinning her arms.

Police alleged that, during the incident, the woman pleaded with Sun to stop, bit his bottom lip and right cheek and scratched both sides of his face.

After the alleged attack, Sun reportedly put an arm around the woman and told her he loved her.

Shortly afterwards the woman called her husband and told him ''something terrible has happened, can you come straight home''.

Magistrate Beth Campbell described the allegations of sexual assault as nasty.

She said the presence of Sun's wife and employer in court and the fact he stayed at the woman's home until her husband arrived gave some comfort in relation to him adhering to bail conditions.

Sun's wife sobbed in court during the description of the alleged incident.

Counsel for the defendant said Sun was not the first married person to seek ''a relationship with another woman''.

The lawyer said her client was extremely upset and had no intention of approaching the woman.

For more on this story, including details of Sun's employer's appearance in court, see the print edition of today's Canberra Times.

'I've stalked you for two days'

September 02, 2010

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VICTIMS of a serial sex attacker in Sydney, including a mother of two young children, have told a court of their continuing fear and withdrawal from society.

Shannon Curreen, 23, has pleaded guilty to eight offences related to attacks between February and August 2009 in suburban Sydney on eight women aged 16 to 39 years.

Three victim impact statements were read out during a sentencing submissions hearing at Sydney's Downing Centre District Court today, including two from women raped by Curreen.

One woman was raped on February 27, 2009, as she walked home to Rose Bay about 12.30am.

She remembers being approached from behind, having a knife held to her throat and being told not to scream.

"He raped me,'' she said in her statement.

"All I remember (is) his weight on top of me, the blade against my throat.''

As she dressed herself after the attack, Curreen told her not to look back as she left.

"He told me, 'Don't look back, keep walking. I've stalked you for two days, I know where you live,''' she said.

Another victim said in her statement that after being attacked by Curreen she was left with cuts and scratches and remained "very scared and angry''.

"With two young children to bring up, this incident leaves me feeling flat and doubting the safety of the world I brought them into,'' she said.

Her one-year-old son was just metres away from her when she was attacked.

"I refuse to walk alone at night. I've become a lot less social,'' she added.

Curreen has pleaded guilty to two rapes, three counts of inflicting actual bodily harm with intent to have sexual intercourse, and three assaults with intent to commit sexual assault.

Judge Peter Berman has been asked to take into account six lesser offences - including four counts of indecent assault.

Curreen's older brother told the court of his shock when he learned of his sibling's offences.

Growing up in New Zealand, Koby Curreen said, he and his brother were "mates''.

"Personally I didn't know any of this stuff was going on,'' he told the court.

"All the time I've known him he's been a really nice guy ... when we were growing up we were quite close. We were mates, not just brothers.''

The slim, dark-haired Curreen sat quietly in the dock of the court throughout the morning's proceedings.

Judge Berman will sentence Curreen at 11am tomorrow.

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Police are great but can't be everywhere all the time. However a Glock 36 could be with you at all times except your local politician is working to ensure that you remain reliant on the state to protect you.