Latest news with #RussellLea
Daily Mail
05-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Man charged with domestic violence offences is a government employee
A senior digital health adviser to the federal government has been identified as the man with the alleged assault of two women. Daniel McCluskie, 44, was charged with 15 domestic violence-related offences spanning a three-year period after officers descended on a home on Sibbick Street in Russell Lea, in Sydney 's inner west, about 7am on Wednesday. In video of his dramatic arrest, he was seen wearing grey tracksuit pants and ugg boots as he was bustled out of the home and into a waiting paddy wagon. His alleged offences include eight counts of sexual intercourse without consent and three counts of choking without consent. Police allege McCluskie carried out a slew of DV offences including kidnapping between 2021 and 2023 against a 35-year-old woman. He also allegedly choked a 52-year-old woman he met on a dating app last March. McCluskie's charges also include two counts of stalking and intimidation, intentionally recording an intimate image without consent, and detaining a person with intent to obtain advantage. The 44-year-old is listed as a digital health adviser for the Australian Digital Health Agency, a Commonwealth entity designed to oversee the national e-health system. The government agency told 7News it was aware of the 'serious charges' against 'a Daniel McCluskie'. 'As this is an active police matter, we are unable to comment,' it said on Thursday. 'We note that Digital Health Advisers are not employees of the Agency.' McCluskie was granted bail in Parramatta Local Court on Thursday but will need to adhere to a series of strict bail conditions, including wearing an ankle monitor. He was asked to forfeit his passport and is banned from leaving New South Wales or entering any international port of departure from Australia. McCluskie will also be bound by a strict curfew of 8pm to 5am, report to a police station three times a week and refrain from contacting prosecution witnesses except via his representation. He returns to Parramatta Local Court on September 10. Investigations under Strike Force Brandum are continuing.
Daily Mail
12-06-2025
- Daily Mail
The crude message scrawled on cars moments before they were set alight in suspected arson attack
A dramatic car explosion has rocked a quiet suburban street and destroyed two vehicles as police investigate the suspected arson attack. The massive blast lit up Burnell Street in Russell Lea, in Sydney 's inner west, about 2.30am on Thursday. CCTV has captured the moment a figure appears to set two vehicles alight. Prior to being engulfed in flames, two of the cars were defaced with crude graffiti. The message reportedly read 'F*** you, you grub', the Daily Telegraph reports. Firefighters rushed to the scene and found four vehicles ablaze. Crews were able to contain the flames, but two cars were completely destroyed, while the other two sustained significant damage. NSW Police Superintendent Christine McDonald confirmed the vandalism appeared targeted. 'Words were written on [two of] those vehicles to suggest that the persons responsible have some association with the occupants of the home,' she said. Neighbours described the explosion as sounding like 'firecrackers', with one resident recalling seeing 'massive flames'. As a safety precaution, homes on either side of the property were temporarily evacuated, with no injures reported. The residence, believed to house a multigenerational family of 11 people with ages ranging from a two-week-old infant to a 71-year-old, were the target of a similar incident in 2013, when seven vehicles were destroyed. Police are now investigating whether the two incidents are linked. 'The theory of a decade-long feud is one that we will look into,' McDonald said. 'I mean, it's a hell of a long time to hold a grudge, but we do know that people do hold grudges for a long time. That is something that will be part of our inquiries.' McDonald condemned the dangerous attack, highlighting the serious risk to life, particularly with a newborn baby present. Fire and Rescue NSW Superintendent Adam Dewberry confirmed that an accelerant had been used to start the fire. 'The risk of someone being injured was obviously extremely high,' he said. I don't think offenders that light vehicle fires actually think about the consequences, but in this scenario we're lucky no one was injured. 'We're lucky that no one is dead. I implore anyone who wants to go out and light a vehicle fire - have a think before you do it.' Police are treating the fire as suspicious and are urging anyone with information or dashcam footage to contact Crime Stoppers.
