Farmers march through city to fight coal seam gas
Farmers from Victoria’s Gippsland region took their campaign against coal seam gas exploration to Melbourne on Sunday, with hundreds of supporters backing their call for a ban on new coal mines and CSG exploration. The protesters marched from city square to the state library, where a petition signed by 1000 people was handed to Greens MP Greg Barber. Mr Barber vowed to ensure the issue was debated thoroughly in the Victorian Parliament this week. Farmers said they were concerned... Read More
Man jailed for sex with girl, 14
A judge told the District Court today that a father of two took advantage of a vulnerable 14-year-old girl under his care for his own “sexual gratification”. Steven Andrew Brady, 36, pleaded guilty to charges of indecent treatment, unlawful carnal knowledge and maintaining a sexual relationship with a child under 16. Judge Richard Jones labelled the offence a “serious error of judgment for which he will be paying an enormous price”. Brady was sentenced to total of three... Read More
Assault destroys police officer’s career
A police officer faces the end of his career after being assaulted while arresting a drunken man north of Brisbane last year, the District Court has been told. Judge Philip Robin QC said as an unintended consequence of the incident Sen. Const. Mark Zeller had seriously injured his knee while struggling with Brent James Mattingley, 24. Mattingley pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer causing him bodily harm on 18 December and to a public nuisance charge and a charge of... Read More
Robbery ‘a disgraceful, cowardly act’ – judge
A District Court judge has described a street robbery in Brisbane’s Forest Lake last year by a gang of juveniles as a disgraceful cowardly act. Judge Philip Robin, QC, told Brendan Scott Williams, now 18, he was part of a gang of six or seven drunken, rowdy teens roaming the streets. He told Williams: “You ought to be ashamed.” Williams, who was 17 at the time, pleaded guilty to a charge of robbery with personal violence while in company on 8 September, 2012 Crown prosecutor... Read More
Fuel discounts still attract shoppers, despite warnings
In the wake of record fuel prices across Queensland, motorists say increased shopper docket discounts will have a “dramatic impact” on where they fill up. According to locals, most drivers go out of their way to shop at Coles or Woolworths in order to take advantage of the discounts. The shopper dockets offered by major supermarkets originally discounted fuel by 4c per litre, but have recently climbed to 45c per litre. People in Brisbane interviewed by Newsbytes said the... Read More