Latest news with #JohnHutchison
West Australian
20-07-2025
- West Australian
Broome woman allegedly caught with more than half a kilogram of methylamphetamine charged with trafficking
Broome police have charged a 37-year-old woman with a number of drug offences after allegedly finding more than half a kilogram of methylamphetamine during a traffic stop. At 2.15pm on July 16, the woman was stopped by police while driving a Hyundai Veloster on Great Northern Highway towards Broome. During a search of the car police allegedly found more than 655g of meth along with a further 11g hidden in various locations including a tobacco pouch, plastic container and clip seal bag. A quantity of cash in a brown paper bag was allegedly found in the vehicle's console while a review of the woman's phone allegedly indicated she was selling drugs. Kimberley Superintendent John Hutchison said police would continue to target people bringing illegal drugs into the region. 'Illicit drugs hurt people and communities,' he said. 'A seizure of this size means a significant quantity of methylamphetamine won't be reaching our streets or have that devastating impact. 'Police will continue to target drug dealers in the community and to make those engaged in this type of behaviour accountable for their actions — if you get caught with large quantities of these types of drugs you face the prospect of going to jail. 'I want to take this opportunity to thank people who report drug activities and assure them that we will do everything we can and use every resource we have, to identify those involved in this illegal activity.' The woman from Djugun was arrested and charged with one count of possessed a trafficable quantity of meth with Intent to sell, one count of possessing meth, one count of possessing cannabis, one count of possessing drug paraphernalia and one count of no authority to drive. She appeared before the Broome Magistrates Court on July 17 and was remanded in custody to reappear on August 25. Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or
ABC News
19-06-2025
- ABC News
WA Police disciplines officer filmed pushing man to ground in Broome
Western Australia Police has disciplined an officer who pushed a man to the ground in Broome earlier this year but will not release details of what action has been taken. The WA Police Internal Affairs Division began investigating the matter in February when a video emerged on social media. It showed part of an altercation between a Broome police officer and a man filmed at Male Oval in Broome's town centre. The oval is a hub for people sleeping rough in the Kimberley town, 2,000 kilometres north of Perth, and is regularly patrolled by police. In the video, which starts with the pair standing next to a police van, the officer pushes the man to the ground before getting into his police car and driving away. At the time, Kimberley Police Superintendent John Hutchison said the video was "disappointing" given the work of his officers to build community relationships. WA Police said the officer was placed on administrative duties while the Internal Affairs Division investigated. That investigation concluded in March, with an "internal disciplinary process" taking place since then, which was finalised today. "The Western Australia Police Force expects the highest standards of behaviour by our officers," a police spokesperson said. "Any breaches of our code of conduct are treated seriously and thoroughly investigated, with real-time oversight by the Corruption and Crime Commission. "The officer involved in this incident has been stood aside from operational duties since the incident occurred. "Disciplinary proceedings have now concluded and suitable disciplinary action has been taken in relation to this matter. "The officer will soon return to full duty but remains subject to that disciplinary action." In response to further questions from ABC, police did not outline details of the disciplinary action or what considerations were made.
Daily Record
12-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Plans to knock down fire-damaged former nursing home in Paisley back on table
The owner has returned with a request to fully demolish the B-listed Speirsfield House in Stevenson Street. Plans to knock down a fire-damaged former nursing home in Paisley are back on the table after a fresh application was submitted to Renfrewshire Council. The owner has returned with a request to fully demolish the B-listed Speirsfield House in Stevenson Street after it was hit by a second fire last month. A previous proposal to flatten the original structure and specific extensions was put forward in September, following a blaze in August, but was later withdrawn. However, the future of the property, which engineers say has suffered extensive damage, could soon be determined as architects make the case its repair and reuse is not viable. The market value of the house, if fully refurbished, has been estimated at roughly £950,000 but it has been argued the works to get it to that stage could cost £3.5 million. A supporting statement said: "It is proposed that this report would be used to support a new listed building consent application for demolition on the basis that the repair of the building is not economically viable and there has been adequate marketing for existing and/or new uses at a price reflecting its location and condition for a reasonable period to attract interest from potential restoring purchasers. "We have demonstrated a development deficit of around £2.6m and our surveyors are of the opinion that even if an extensive marketing period was set up, there would be little chance of a sale in the current state." The statement continued: "It is accepted that the building has been badly damaged by the fire and that uncontrolled collapse is a concern. "If urgent work is required to address this, it should be the minimum required to remove any danger to public safety from uncontrolled collapse." The Victorian mansion, designed by architect John Hutchison, is thought to have been built around 1874 but is now a shadow of its former self. Emergency services attended in May and a fire was extinguished by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. This followed a blaze at the site last August. A decision on the latest application, which is expected to be determined by the council's planning and climate change policy board, will be made at a later date.
West Australian
06-06-2025
- West Australian
Kimberley Supt Hutchison warns of e-scooter dangers in Broome, following Perth pedestrian death
Kimberley Superintendent John Hutchison says Broome police will enforce e-scooter rules as part of a Statewide safety campaign, after an e-scooter struck and killed a Perth pedestrian. Fifty-one-year-old Thanh Phan was hit from behind by a hire e-scooter allegedly ridden by a backpacker who is accused of being three times over the legal blood alcohol limit on Saturday night. He died in hospital on Monday after undergoing surgery for a serious head injury. The British backpacker, 24-year-old Alicia Kemp, has been charged over the crash. Appearing in Perth Magistrates Court on Tuesday her bail was opposed, with prosecutors arguing she was a flight risk due to being on a working holiday visa. Ms Kemp will be remanded in custody until July 15. The latest fatality brings the number of e-scooter-related deaths to five across WA this year. The growing number of fatalities is a serious concern for the Broome-based Superintendent. 'You only have to drive around Broome for five minutes, and you will see 10 people riding around on e-scooters with no helmets on, some of them at significant speeds,' Supt Hutchison said. He spotlighted how the tourist town's urban layout puts reckless e-scooter drivers at risk. 'We haven't got the bike path systems in Broome's that some other towns have, especially in the Perth metro area, so a lot of the time e-scooter riders are riding without proper lighting.' His apprehensions are backed by a medical study showing 190 e-scooter injuries were treated at Broome Hospital between April 2023 and April 2024. The study also found that the median age for accidents was 26 years-old, equally male and female, that 55 per cent reported being intoxicated, and 75 per cent were not wearing a helmet. Supt Hutchison is warning the Broome community that if e-scooters go over 25km/h on the road and are heavier than 25 kilograms, they are classifies as off-road motorcycles, which means police can seize them if they are not on the road. The Shire of Broome said they did not intend to suspend their e-scooter trial after two local governments in Perth ordered their removal in the wake of the pedestrian's death. 'We will continue to monitor the trial closely and assess its outcomes based on local data, community feedback, and safety considerations,' the shire said. 'We acknowledge the concerns raised by recent events at the City of Perth and remain committed to ensuring the safe use of e-scooters in Broome through appropriate regulation and operator engagement.'
