St Andrews Cathedral School plunged into lockdown after man ‘threatened' staff
St Andrews Cathedral School, located in Sydney's CBD, was locked down by police on Monday about 9.45am after reports a person had broken into the grounds.
Parents were alerted about the lockdown by text message, Daily Mail reported.
The man allegedly 'threatened staff and then returned to the campus', a police spokesman told NewsWire.
'The school was placed in locked down and a search of the building, on the corner of Druitt and Kent Streets, was conducted with the assistance of specialist resources,' they said.
Despite 'extensive searches', the man could not be located.
The lockdown has since been lifted, police confirmed.
'An investigation is now underway into the incident, and inquiries continue to locate the man,' police said.
Ms James was murdered by Paul Thijssen on the evening of October 25, 2023, when he cornered her inside a bathroom of the prestigious Sydney private school where they were colleagues.
The water polo coach died due to bunt force trauma to the head after being attacked with a hammer by her ex-partner, whom she had broken up with a few days before her murder.
Hours after the murder, Thijssen took his own life by jumping from a cliff at Vaucluse, with his remains found in the rocks at Diamond Bay Reserve two days after Ms James' murder.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
ABC News
an hour ago
- ABC News
Will Trump set Ghislaine Maxwell free?
Sam Hawley: Donald Trump has spent another week fielding questions over the release of the so-called Epstein files. The saga even followed him to Scotland. So what's he up to now to try and get rid of the problem? Well, in part, he sent his Deputy Attorney General to interview Epstein's co-conspirator, Delaine Maxwell, who's in prison for sex trafficking. Today, Jill Wine-Banks, who was one of the prosecutors during the Watergate scandal, on whether Trump could pardon Maxwell and whether that would help him. I'm Sam Hawley on Gadigal land in Sydney. This is ABC News Daily. Jill, this Epstein issue, it won't go away for Donald Trump. He was even facing questioning about this during his trip to Scotland. Donald Trump, US President: You're making a very big thing over something that's not a big thing. You should be talking about, if you're going to talk about that, talk about Clinton. Talk about the former president of Harvard. Don't talk about Trump. Sam Hawley: It's become rather a bother, hasn't it? Jill Wine-Banks: It is something that is a self-inflicted problem because it was Donald Trump who yelled, conspiracy, conspiracy, you must release all this. And he promised he would. And now he's not. We know that his attorney general told him that he is in the Jeffrey Epstein files, and that would seem very suspicious as to why he is now not releasing it and looking for ways around it. Sam Hawley: Well, Jill, in some of his latest comments, Donald Trump says he fell out with Jeffrey Epstein because he stole young women from his Mar-a-Lago club, including Australian Virginia Jeffrey, who died this year. Donald Trump, US President: I think so. I think that was one of the people. He stole her. And by the way, she had no complaints about us, as you know. Sam Hawley: And he says he never went to Epstein's private island in the Caribbean. Donald Trump, US President: I never had the privilege of going to his island. And I did turn it down, but a lot of people in Palm Beach were invited to his island. And one of my very good moments, I turned it down. I didn't want to go to his island. Sam Hawley: But look, what I really want to do with you is to dig a bit deeper into the role of it?in all of this, because she has, of course, been re-interviewed by the deputy attorney general, presumably at Trump's orders. Just remind me, first of all, who she is and why she's serving a 20-year jail sentence in America. Jill Wine-Banks: Absolutely. So Ghislaine Maxwell is an accomplice to Jeffrey Epstein. She is not charged with his crimes. She is charged with basically procuring young girls, grooming them, and participating in sexual abuse of them. So it's not just that she was what we would call in America his pimp, where she went to colleges and other places to find young girls who would come to his Palm Beach estate. And then she groomed them as to how to handle the sexual acts and the massages, as they were called. She was convicted in 2021, sentenced in 2022, and is currently imprisoned. She is appealing. She has asked the Supreme Court to review her conviction. They are on their summer recess, but are expected to decide whether they will take the case this fall when they come back into session. Sam Hawley: All right. So between 1994 and 2004, according to federal prosecutors, Maxwell helped Epstein groom and traffic girls as young as 14. Yes. She has maintained her innocence, of course, hence the appeal. Just a reminder, she's the only one serving time in relation to these awful offenses against young girls because Jeffrey Epstein died in jail in 2019. Jill Wine-Banks: Correct. He was serving time in jail and died. The question was whether he committed suicide or was murdered, and that remains an open question. There can be no further criminal prosecutions because there's no trafficking subsequent to his death. And he died in 2019, and we have a statute of limitations in America that is five years, and it's six years since he died. Sam Hawley: All right. So, Jill, Ghislaine Maxwell is serving a 20-year sentence in a Florida prison, but in the past week, the Deputy Attorney General, Todd Blanche, has gone knocking on her prison cell door. Just tell me about that. What's happened? Jill Wine-Banks: Yes. Well, first, let me say how utterly remarkable it is that the Deputy Attorney General would interview a witness. Let me say how remarkable it is that the Deputy Attorney General would be the former private attorney of Donald Trump. Once you are someone's private attorney, you have a duty of loyalty and secrecy to that client forever. And so he cannot be acting on behalf of the American people when he already has a commitment to Donald Trump. That would be a conflict of interest. The other reason it's unusual is that he knows nothing about the prosecution. He has no experience in this case. The people who tried the Epstein and Maxwell cases are people who would be very appropriate to interview her, not someone with no experience. And Maxwell, we should be also adding, she's not a credible person that a jury would be likely to rely on. And we do not in America allow the revelation of secret grand jury testimony or anything else that would accuse someone of a crime unless you're charging them with a crime. And nothing, she says, is going to lead to a criminal prosecution. We don't release information because it would satisfy public interest or purient interest of the public. It has to be in connection with a judicial proceeding. And that's another reason why it would be wrong. Sam Hawley: All right, well, Maxwell's lawyer, David Oscar Marcus, said that she answered every single question she was asked. David Markus, Ghislaine Maxwell's attorney: There were a lot of questions and we went all day and she answered every one of them. She never just said, I'm not going to answer, never declined. You know, this is the first time the government has asked questions. So we were thankful that. Sam Hawley: She was offered limited immunity for participating in this interview. Just explain what that is. Jill Wine-Banks: Limited immunity is basically also called use immunity. It means that anything that she says cannot be used against her and that in any future prosecution, anything that is introduced in evidence against her would have to be shown to not be the result of something she said. That's considered fruit of the poison tree. So it gives her some protection and it is a completely legitimate thing to do. So that is not among the suspicious or wrong things that the Department of Justice is doing. The interview is the wrong thing. And although they are now saying that there are transcripts of it, I want to know who the person taking the notes was. And I want to know whether 100% of from hello until walking out on the second day, how much was maybe done what we call in camera, in secret, not as part of the recorded testimony. Because there is my suspicion shared by many that part of Todd Blanche's purpose in talking to her was to say, well, the president would certainly look favorably on your request for a pardon if you could say that he had nothing to do with this. And maybe in a more subtle way than I'm phrasing it, shape her testimony so that it was helpful to Donald Trump and hurtful to Democrats who might be on the list of people who she has evidence against. We've obviously heard the name Bill Clinton, former president Bill Clinton, as someone who might be involved in this. There's no evidence that there is. And being on the manifest for planes does not mean you committed a crime. It means you took a plane somewhere that Jeffrey Epstein flew you. It doesn't mean you engaged in trafficking or in illegal sex with a minor. Sam Hawley: President Trump was asked whether he would pardon Maxwell. And he really hasn't closed the door on that. Donald Trump, US President: Would you consider a pardon or a commutation for Ghislaine Maxwell? It's something I haven't thought about. I'm allowed to do it, but it's something I have not thought about. Sam Hawley: But would anyone believe, the public believe what she had to say, whatever that might be? Jill Wine-Banks: I think they would not believe what she had to say. I think they would believe that any pardon was to protect himself. And he said about her, I wish her well. He has not said anything of sympathy toward any of the victims. He should be concerned about the young girls, as you said, starting at the age of 14. Sam Hawley: Well, Jill, the President and the Department of Justice want to quell this criticism that they're hiding something, that they're hiding a list of Epstein's high profile clients. But is this all just the art of distraction, if you like? And is it working? Jill Wine-Banks: Well, he's trying to distract by doing a lot of other things and saying, well, look at Obama. He's a traitor. He should be arrested for treason and a million other things that he is trying to distract the public from. For some reason, the Epstein files have captured the hearts and minds of many in America. And the distraction doesn't seem to be working. People are not giving up on this. As you said, it's overseas. The headlines in the Scottish papers were really harsh on him. And he's now the subject of cartoons. The South Park TV cartoon series has made fun of him. And people are now starting to think that this could really be the thing that takes him down. Sam Hawley: You seem to be saying that you don't think he can wiggle his way out of this, but he's done it so many times with so many controversies, hasn't he? Jill Wine-Banks: He has. I mean, I'm one who thought in his first campaign when the tape of him saying, I grab women's private parts and I can get away with it because when you're a star, you can do it. I thought that was the end of his campaign. I've thought a million other things were the end of his campaign or his career. And I was wrong. He has been a very lucky person to escape the responsibility for his bad acts. So I can't say for sure that he isn't going to get away with this, but he may lose his power if this continues. And if things aren't released, his supporters who believed he was going to do it are not going to forgive him for that. That's going to hurt the Republican Party, not just him. Sam Hawley: And what about Ghislaine Maxwell? What are the chances in your view that Trump will simply let her out of jail? A move that would be simply devastating for Epstein's victims and hers. Jill Wine-Banks: I don't think we can rule it out because I don't think he has empathy for any of the victims. I think he could commute her sentence to time served and let her out of jail without pardoning her for these horrendous crimes. I think, I don't know, I may be Pollyanna, but I still think that there has to be someone advising him who says you cannot pardon these kinds of crimes for which there was more than ample evidence. And yet he thinks he can get away with anything. He, of course, can pardon her and there's no consequences. That's totally up to his discretion. Sam Hawley: Jill Wine-Banks was one of the prosecutors during the Watergate scandal. She's the author of The Watergate Girl and the host of the podcast, #Sisters In Law. This episode was produced by Sydney Pead. Audio production by Sam Dunn. Our supervising producer is David Coady. I'm Sam Hawley. ABC News Daily will be back again on Monday. Thanks for listening.
The Australian
an hour ago
- The Australian
Teen allegedly ordered hit that killed wrong target Luke Manassa
A 17-year-old has been accused of allegedly issuing the attack contract that led to the fatal stabbing of 21-year-old Luke Manassa in a tragic case of mistaken identity. Mr Manassa was allegedly stabbed after arriving with his girlfriend at a home in Driftway Dr, Pemulwuy, in Sydney's west, about 10.45pm on June 26. Despite being able to get back into his car and drive a short distance, he succumbed to his injuries and could not be revived. He died at the scene. NSW Police were told two people wearing disguises and dark clothing had attacked Mr Manassa. Luke Manassa was fatally stabbed at Pemulwuy on June 26 in a case of mistaken identity He was just 21 years old. Two boys, aged 16 and 17, were arrested in early July in Mount Druitt and South Penrith respectively and charged with Mr Manassa's murder. On Wednesday, detectives executed a search warrant in Blacktown and arrested another 17-year-old boy about 7am. He was taken to Blacktown Police Station, where he was charged with manslaughter and knowingly/recklessly direct criminal group assist crime. He was refused bail and appeared at a children's court on Wednesday. Police will allege in court the teen issued the contract to carry out the attack on another man, but Mr Manassa was targeted in a case of mistaken identity. Mr Manassa did not live at the Pemulwuy home but was known to visit the property. Police have previously said the owner of the Pemulwuy home was known to them. Luke Manassa's coffin in brought out of the Our Lady of Lebanon Co-cathedral at the close of his funeral service. Picture: NewsWire / John Appleyard Detective Superintendent Joseph Doueihi on July 4 said investigators were yet to confirm a clear motive, however mistaken identity was 'more than likely'. 'It perhaps (was) the wrong target … more than likely, this is a case of mistaken identity, but it's still early days before we can absolutely confirm that,' he said. Superintendent Doueihi described the attack as 'very amateurish' and said it lacked the evidence of planning typically seen in gang-related hits, including expensive getaway cars or firebombed vehicles. Mr Manassa's funeral in the week after his death was an emotional affair. His mother Theresa Manassa was photographed in tears, hugging close family and friends at the conclusion of a touching memorial attended by hundreds. Luke's mother Theresa at the close of the funeral. Picture: NewsWire / John Appleyard The end of the funeral was marked by the release of 21 white doves, commemorating Luke's 21 years, along with basketball balloons – a sport he loved. An emotional haka was led by Luke's Polynesian colleagues at Mann Group. Several police cars watched on nearby as hundreds gathered for the service. A guard of honour was formed leading to the church, made up of employees from the family business Mann Group – dressed in fluorescent orange construction shirts – and schoolchildren from nearby parishes. Police said investigations under Strike Force Hickety are ongoing. Robert White Cadet Robert got his start as an Editorial Assistant at the Daily Telegraph in 2024 before entering the Newscorp cadet program. With a background in history and law Robert has a passion for politics and crime reporting as well as telling meaningful stories. @white_robb73416 Robert White
The Australian
an hour ago
- The Australian
Ex-Australian Army major Graeme Davidson faces court over wife's alleged drowning murder
A former Australian Army major charged with the murder of his wife after she drowned on a kayaking trip told police they were not wearing life jackets because they had been 'eaten by rats' at their old home, a court has been told. Jacqueline Davidson, 54, could not be revived after she drowned while kayaking with her husband Graeme Davidson on Lake Samsonvale, near Forgan Cove in Queensland's Moreton Bay region, on November 27, 2020. Following a protracted police investigation, Mr Davidson, 55, was arrested earlier this year while visiting from Thailand – where he now lives – and was charged with her murder. He is also facing charges of fraud and attempted fraud, which relate to allegations of trying to claim more than $1m in life insurance after his wife's death, including a sum which was not paid out. During a bail application at Brisbane Supreme Court on Thursday, defence barrister Craig Eberhardt KC said there was no evidence Jacqueline had been 'violently assaulted' in any way. While there were some minor bruises, these were consistent with CPR attempts and Mr Davidson's attempts to recover his wife's body, the court was told. Through an affidavit filed to the court, Mr Davidson described how he and his wife were '10m apart' on the water when he attempted to 'show off' by standing up on his kayak. 'Jacqueline became distressed about that and used the 'safe word' … designed to let him know that she was concerned about what he was doing,' Mr Eberhardt read from the court document. The court was told Mr Davidson saw his wife 'fall off the kayak' and he went into the water to find her – but could not see because the water was 'murky' and full of grass weeds. 'He managed to find her after some period of time, and he dragged her out,' Mr Eberhardt said. Mr Eberhardt said his client attempted to revive her and frantically yelled to get the attention of bystanders, one of whom called an ambulance. According to Mr Davidson's statement, the pair were not wearing life jackets because they had been 'eaten by rats' at their house in Bondi before they moved back to Queensland. 'There's evidence to that effect in a statement of (a woman) … she had been told prior to the death that the life jackets had been eaten by rats,' Mr Eberhardt said. After Mr Davidson's arrest, police said they would allege in court the relationship between the army major and his wife was breaking down. Mr Eberhardt told the court Ms Davidson had discovered her husband was having an affair with a woman in Papua New Guinea in 2019. He said the discovery caused significant matrimonial upset between the pair but Mr Davidson was 'committed' to staying in the relationship. There was no evidence of domestic violence between the pair. Addressing the allegations surrounding his client's life insurance claims, Mr Eberhardt said mutual policies were taken out by the Davidsons in favour of each other in mid-2020. 'There is no evidence the setting up of the insurance policies was the applicant's idea,' he said. Mr Davidson sought access to his wife's life insurance after her death but Mr Eberhardt said this was 'unremarkable' and would have been more suspicious if he had not accessed it. The court was told Mr Davidson was captured on CCTV burning 'a small number of documents' in the backyard of his home – done while one of his children was home – but this was 'not evidence of anything' as no-one knew what the documents contained. Mr Eberhardt said his client had also purchased a new car after Jacqueline's death, but submitted this had been done following discussions for some time. 'The gloss … put on this evidence simply isn't there, when you look at the actual statements,' Mr Eberhardt said. The bail application will resume on Friday. Blake Antrobus Court reporter Blake Antrobus covers Queensland courts and crime for NCA NewsWire. He began his career in journalism in 2015, migrating from Sydney's northern beaches to southwest Queensland. He has covered politics, crime, education and general news for newspapers across the state. Business Breaking News Collapsed Australian fashion label Tigerlily has emerged from a turbulent two-year period to make a dramatic retail comeback just in time for a milestone anniversary. Business Breaking News Property prices have defied interest rate pressures to reach a high, with regional areas outperforming capital cities across most markets.
