Merit Program: The NSW Courts Diversionary Pathway for Drug & Alcohol Addicts
What is the MERIT program? The MERIT program is an opportunity for those who suffer from drug or alcohol addiction, who end up going to court to face criminal charges in the Local Court to assist in rehabilitation. ‘MERIT’ is an abbreviation for ‘Magistrates Early Referral Into Treatment’. A plea of ‘guilty’ or ‘not ...continue reading
Former High Court Judge, Justice Dyson Heydon faces further sexual harassment complaints
Poppy Morandin. The High Court has confirmed that three further complainants have come forward alleging that they were sexually harassed by former judge, Justice Dyson Heydon. These complainants will add to the list of six women who were found by an independent investigation commissioned by the High Court and conducted by Dr Vivienne Thorn ...continue reading
Law on Wounding or Causing Grievous Bodily Harm with Intent to Resist Arrest: Man in Stolen Maserati Charged after Stabbing Senior Constable with Screwdriver
Sahar Adatia and Jimmy Singh. A passenger who was travelling in a stolen Maserati that caused a police pursuit through Macquarie Fields in Sydney’s south-west has been arrested after he allegedly stabbed a police officer with a screwdriver. NSW Police allege the incident took place around 10am on Thursday 22 October 2020 when police ...continue reading
Handcuffed Inmate in Ankle Shackles Allegedly Shot in the Back by Corrections Officer
Poppy Morandin. For the first time in Australian history, an NSW coroner has referred an NSW Corrective Services officer to the Director of Public Prosecutions, over the fatal shooting of an Aboriginal man in custody. Forty-three-year-old Dwayne Johnstone was handcuffed and wearing ankle shackles when he was allegedly shot in the back by the ...continue reading
Former Stock Trader Admits to Getting Boozed at Lunch Before Committing Armed Robberies is Sentenced
Sahar Adatia and Jimmy Singh. Umm, well, this is awkward. A former stock trader has admitted to police, some 40 years later, that he would “get boozed at lunch time”, and carrying a water pistol and wearing disguises including fake moustaches and sunglasses, would drunkenly rob Sydney banks. Ross McCarty, now aged 71, last ...continue reading
Cat Smuggler Escapes Prison After Being Found Allegedly Carrying Two Grams of Heroin
Sahar Adatia and Jimmy Singh. A cat that was detained at Sri Lanka’s main prison for allegedly attempting to smuggle drugs has managed to escape from its jail cell. According to reports from the local media, on Saturday 1 August 2020, the felonious feline was detected by jail intelligence officials at the high-security Welikada ...continue reading
Queensland Mum Charged with Fraud Over Misusing Public Donations for Her Son’s Funeral
Sahar Adatia and Jimmy Singh. A mother from Townsville in Queensland’s north whose son died in a car crash has been charged with fraud after it was discovered she allegedly misused the public funds raised for his funeral on gambling and a shopping spree. On June 18 2020, Lesley-Lee Hill attended the funeral of ...continue reading
Man Allegedly Performed a Sex Act in Front of a 21-Year-Old Woman on Sydney Train
Sahar Adatia and Jimmy Singh. A 48-year-old man from Eastlakes has been arrested and charged for allegedly committing a lewd sex act in front of another passenger on a train at Redfern earlier this year. The incident took place on Saturday 22 August 2020 when a 21-year-old woman boarded the Redfern train for her ...continue reading
Brave Little Boy Endures 12-Hour Joyride Hiding in Stolen Vehicle Until Safe to Get Help
Sahar Adatia and Jimmy Singh. A brave seven-year-old boy from Perth has endured a horror joyride that lasted almost 12 hours after a stranger stole a family vehicle inside which the young boy had fallen asleep. It is reported that around 8:40pm on Saturday 10 October 2020, a white Mitsubishi Pajero Sports four-wheel drive ...continue reading
Drug Court Program and Eligibility in NSW
Poppy Morandin and Jimmy Singh. Treating drug-related offenders, rather than resorting to sending them to prison, is far more effective in regard to addressing re-offending rates, according to research conducted by the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) at UNSW Sydney and the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR). Drug Court ...continue reading