Charmaine Manuel

2 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Charmaine Manuel

A Supreme Court jury in Victoria has been read text messages exchanged between a father and his son shortly before the latter was allegedly kidnapped and murdered. The burnt remains of 19-year-old Charlie Gander were found in a burnt-out car at Bunbartha, in the state's north, on Christmas Eve 2022. Kylie Stott, Dimitri D'Elio and Danny Clarke have pleaded not guilty to kidnapping, murder and arson. At the time of the alleged offending Ms Stott was aged 37, Mr D'Elio 24 and Mr Clarke 38.

2 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Charmaine Manuel

A former CFA captain has told a jury about finding human remains in a burnt car, as three people face trial accused of kidnapping and murdering 19-year-old Charlie Gander. Kylie Stott, Danny Clarke and Dimitri D'Elio, all residing in Shepparton at the time, have been charged with kidnapping, murder and arson following the death of the Benalla teenager on Christmas Eve in 2022. At the time of the alleged offending, Ms Stott was aged 37, Mr D'Elio was 24, and Mr Clarke 38.

3 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Callum Marshall |Charmaine Manuel

A Melbourne man has been sentenced to at least 18 months jail after threatening workers at two north-east tobacco stores. Doreen man Ahmad Al Essawi, 23, pleaded guilty to a string of charges in the Wodonga Magistrates Court on Wednesday, including two extortion offences and possessing a fake firearm. On July 4, 2023, Al Essawi and an unidentified co-accused entered a Wodonga tobacco store where Al Essawi threatened a worker that he would burn down the store in 24 hours if it was still open.

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Charmaine Manuel

Police have charged five people in Cobram and Wangaratta as part of an ongoing investigation into an alleged criminal network. The multi-year investigation has resulted in hundreds of charges and the alleged seizure of drugs, guns and vehicles. Police say they will continue to pursue suspects until "every link in the chain is broken". Police say they have disrupted an alleged criminal network in north-east Victoria following arrests in Cobram and Wangaratta.

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Charmaine Manuel |Callum Marshall

Strathmerton residents say they are devastated by the news Bega Cheese will close its manufacturing site in the town. A phased closure of the site is expected to be complete by mid-2026, with around 300 jobs cut. The company says it will upgrade and create new jobs at its factory in Bega. Maree Hodgson has worked at Strathmerton's cheese factory for more than 30 years. She has been left in disbelief at Bega Cheese's announcement on Tuesday that it will close its northern Victorian site by mid-2026.