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ABC News
an hour ago
- ABC News
Family of missing Alice Springs man Gach Top says 'it's a miracle' he was found alive
The family of a missing Alice Springs man who was spotted wandering near an Aboriginal homeland on Monday night say it is a miracle he was found alive. Gach Top, 26, had been missing for a week, his car abandoned 14.5 kilometres west of John Flynn's Grave Historical Reserve. He was found alive by his family near Jay Creek outstation, about 30 kilometres west of Alice Springs, close to where police had discovered items of his clothing. Authorities had suspended their search on Saturday and handed the matter to the Northern Territory Police's Southern Crime Division for further investigation. But Mr Top's family continued scouring the outback for him, along with a group of about 25 volunteers. Arrernte woman Tamara Campbell, who lives at the outstation, said she noticed a "figure walking towards the bush" soon after the sun set on Monday. "Me and my nephew went that way and my aunties came across from the other side of the road," she told the ABC. "I was getting a bad feeling and I walked over to have a closer look." Mr Top's sister, Nyaluak, and other members of his family had been in contact with residents of the outstation in their search. "We came here and I left my number with one of the ladies … we went to Hermannsburg to search for him, and when we were going back to [Alice Springs], she called me as soon as we got service," Nyaluak said. Mr Top's step-mother Nyawuor Kong said her family was rejoicing. "His siblings, the boys and girls, everyone is excited," Ms Kong said. "My eldest son was devastated, because he is close to his elder brother Gach, but when he heard the news that Gach is fine, he is smiling again. "Our family are happy again." She said she was grateful to the people who helped their family find Mr Top in the desert. "We are relieved now." In a statement, NT police said Mr Top was taken to hospital for assessment and thanked members of the public for their assistance.
ABC News
2 hours ago
- ABC News
Broome man declared unfit for trial on murder charge due to mental impairment
A West Australian man alleged to have stabbed his foster brother to death in the tourist town of Broome will not stand trial after a Supreme Court justice found he was unfit to do so. Ian Ralph Brooke, 23, was charged with murder after the death of a man at a Roe Place address in November 2023 and has been remanded in custody since. A 27-year-old man was found with critical stab wounds and died at the scene, with the WA homicide squad leading the police investigation. On July 30 this year, a WA Supreme Court hearing took place in Perth before Justice Amanda Forrester where Mr Brooke's fitness to stand trial was assessed. The court heard Mr Brooke had "a lot of anger and a grudge" against his foster brother since the pair were children. Justice Forrester said on the day of the man's death, it was alleged Mr Brooke assaulted the man with a crowbar before stabbing him multiple times with a knife. The court heard evidence from two psychologists who had interviewed the then-23-year-old in custody. The psychologists both asserted that Mr Brooke had a mental impairment and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, which would prohibit his ability to participate in a trial. Justice Forrester said she was satisfied under the Criminal Law (Mental Impairment) Act 2023 that he was unfit to stand trial. The act states nine reasons a person would be unfit to face trial, with five of those reasons applying to Mr Brooke. He was deemed unable to give instructions to a legal practitioner, follow the course of a trial, understand evidence, decide whether to give evidence, or be able to defend the charge. Justice Forrester said Mr Brooke's intellectual disability was permanent, meaning there was "no prospect" he would become fit to stand trial in the future. Justice Forrester said a special proceeding would take place to move the matter forward. This proceeding, which would operate as if Mr Brooke had pleaded not guilty, would decide a guilty or not guilty verdict based on the evidence available. Possible outcomes include the accused being released unconditionally, a community supervision order being made, or a custody order being enforced. Mr Brooke was remanded in custody until his next court date in September.
ABC News
2 hours ago
- ABC News
Premier Chris Minns condemns Gareth Ward's court bid to block expulsion
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has labelled a late-night legal move by Gareth Ward's lawyers to halt his expulsion from parliament as "unconscionable", after the convicted MP secured injunctive orders in the Supreme Court. "Late last night, orders were granted in the New South Wales Supreme Court, injunctive orders obtained by representatives of Mr Ward, lawyers for Mr Ward, against the Leader of the House Ron Hoenig [and] the Speaker Greg Piper — which will stop or attempt to stop the expulsion motion in the Legislative Assembly," Mr Minns told Nine Radio this morning. The motion was due to be introduced today ahead of a vote in the lower house on Wednesday. If Ward is expelled, his seat in Kiama would be declared vacant, triggering a by-election. The Kiama MP was convicted last month on one count of sexual intercourse without consent and three counts of assault with an act of indecency, involving two male victims. He is in custody awaiting sentencing in September and has flagged his intention to appeal. Mr Minns said the government would seek to overturn the court's injunctive order ruling. "The government will seek an urgent hearing in the Supreme Court to have those orders dealt with," he said. "My understanding is the hearing is set down for Friday of this week. "But, we've got a week of parliament to sit, and I think that most people would appreciate it's an unconscionable situation to have someone who's currently sitting in jail in Silverwater, convicted of serious sexual offences, who is demanding to remain a member of parliament and continue to be paid. "Our lawyers are assessing [it] and worked through the night to try and navigate this genuinely unprecedented situation." He repeated previous comments that the motion was not designed to punish Ward, but protect the integrity of the Legislative Assembly. Mr Minns, who has repeatedly called for Ward to resign, when asked about the issue again, told the station: "That would be the first and most obvious course." In a statement, Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said the opposition would support Ward's expulsion and work with the government. "However, Mr Ward's legal team should do whatever it takes to get a clear message to him — immediately resign. Every day he clings to his seat from a jail cell, taxpayers are footing the bill and the people of Kiama are left voiceless. It's not just wrong, it's offensive. This is about decency, accountability, and basic respect for the community. Mr Ward should spare the Parliament, spare the courts, and above all, spare the people of New South Wales any further disgrace. Step aside."
