Today in Cairns: Cairns police charge man over alleged biting assault
A man has been charged after he allegedly bit a police officer in Cairns.
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G’day Far Northerners, here’s everything you need to know about what’s happening across the region this week, March 7 to March 11.
TODAY’S HEADLINES
VIDEO: Massive fire destroys iconic Mission Beach restaurant
Historic fuel price hike: Where to get Cairns’ cheapest fuel
What businesses want to clean up CBD crime
Does our sleeping giant need its first shop?
Could a wider Kuranda Range Road fix our broken link?
LNP spokeswoman claims ‘nothing has changed’ on child protection
Man, 22, charged after police swoop on Cairns CBD
TODAY’S NEWS
Charges over alleged police biting
A man has been charged after he allegedly bit a police officer in Cairns on Thursday.
Police were investigating a stolen vehicle in Draper St in Parramatta Park when they
found a 20-year-old Mooroobool man in the area about 3pm.
It will be alleged he became verbally aggressive and was arrested.
Police will further allege the man became physically violent as he was escorted to a police vehicle, biting an officer on the arm.
Detectives charged the man with one count of serious assault police by biting.
He was granted police bail and will appear in Cairns Magistrates Court on Wednesday, March 23.
THURSDAY’S NEWS
Police assault charges
A simple request to put a dog on a leash allegedly led to police being assaulted and a man in handcuffs.
Police conducting proactive patrols of the Esplanade approached a man whose dog was off lead about 6am on Wednesday, requesting the animal be restrained for public safety.
It will be alleged the man refused to comply and began verbally abusing police.
Officers placed the man under arrest, and he assaulted them before fleeing the scene on foot.
The man was arrested about 7.15am at a Dillon St home in Bungalow.
The 18-year-old Westcourt man was charged with two counts of assault police and one count each of public nuisance, obstruct police, escape lawful custody and possession of a knife in a public place.
He was granted police bail and will appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on March 25.
Break and enter, Bungalow
Police arrested a 33-year-old Portsmith man after an alleged break in at a Mulgrave Rd business in Bungalow on March 6.
It will be alleged the man has used a rock to smash a large window to gain entry about 3am, stealing several computer tablets before leaving.
Officers from the Cairns Property Crime Unit used CCTV to identify the man, who was arrested on Wednesday.
It will be further alleged the man was involved in a break and enter at the Cairns RSL on the Esplanade February 25.
Police allege the man broke a window in the rear of the club, entering and stealing alcohol before fleeing.
The 33-year-old Portsmith man was charged with two counts of entering premises and committing an indictable offence.
He was bailed and will appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on March 25.
WEDNESDAY’S NEWS
Drug charges, Bayview Heights
Officers from Cairns Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) charged a 41-year-old Bayview Heights man on Tuesday, March 8 following the execution of a search warrant at his address.
Police attended the address and conducted a search of the home allegedly locating a small quantity of a crystal substance believed to be methylamphetamine.
It will be further alleged during the search officers allegedly located drug utensils and ammunition.
The 41-year-old Bayview Heights man was charged with one count of possessing dangerous drugs, possessing utensils, possessing anything used in the commission of a crime and authority required to possess explosives. He will appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on April 7.
Assault, Manoora
A 15-year-old Manoora girl was charged on Tuesday following an incident where she was allegedly involved in on Pease Street on March 4.
It will be alleged at around 6.40pm a 13-year-old girl was walking along Pease Street, Manoora when she was approached by a group of girls. A verbal altercation has occurred before the 15-year old girl allegedly started punching the 13-year-old girl.
The victim has attempted to get away but was allegedly chased and punched several more times by the 15-year-old.
Vehicles driving by were forced to swerve and stop to avoid hitting the group as the fight spilt onto the road.
The group then left allowing the victim to go home. Her mother called an ambulance and she was conveyed to the Cairns Hospital for observation for bruising and swelling.
On March 8, police located and arrested the 15-year-old Manoora girl.
Officers from the Child Protection Investigation Unit (CPIU) also linked the girl to an alleged stolen car that she had been riding around in on March 2.
She was charged with one count each of assault occasioning bodily harm, unlawful use of a motor vehicle and stealing. Police opposed the girls bail and she will appear in the Cairns Children's Court.
Police are seeking assistance from anyone travelling in the area at around 6pm and 7pm who witnessed the assault or captured footage on dashcam to contact them.
TUESDAY’S NEWS
Stealing, Parramatta Park
Officers from Cairns Property Crime Unit charged three teenage boys on Monday, March 7 following an alleged stealing at a fast food restaurant in Parramatta Park.
Police will allege that on March 6, the boys entered the restaurant and bought a drink and, as they left, grabbed the keys out of the hand of a 44-year-old Parramatta Park woman.
The boys ran to the victim’s car and fled the scene in her car.
The victim provided police with images of the teenagers and, along with CCTV footage, police were able to identify them all.
Yesterday all three teenagers, along with a 15-year-old female, were arrested after she was allegedly seen in the stolen car.
It will be further alleged that one of the boys was allegedly involved in burglary that occurred in the early hours of Monday morning, entering a Givens Street, Cairns, home before stealing the victim’s car.
The 15-year-old Bungalow girl was charged with one count of unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
She was bailed to appear in the Cairns Children's Court at a later date.
A 15-year-old Edmonton boy was charged with two counts of stealing and one count each of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and unlicensed driving.
A 13-year-old Edmonton boy was charged with two counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and one count each of burglary, stealing and unlicensed driving.
A 15-year-old Brinsmead boy was charged with one count of unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
Police opposed bail to all three boys, and they will appear in the Cairns Children's Court.
MONDAY’S NEWS
Multiple offences, Cairns
A 17-year-old boy and 15-year-old boy both from Edmonton were arrested and charged with multiple property offences committed in Cairns over three days. Both boys were found at an Edmonton address on March 3 hiding in a cupboard.
Police will allege the boys and some others broke into homes around Trinity Beach and Redlynch and stole credit cards, keys, valuables and cars.
The police will further allege the boys used the stolen cards over different periods to buy several items. At one home they allegedly became involved in a physical altercation with someone who lived there.
At around 6.45am on March 3, witnesses called in a two-vehicle crash involving stolen cars.
Witnesses told police that after the cars crashed, all occupants left in a black Nissan.
Officers found two stolen credit cards at the scene and with the assistance of CCTV footage were able to find the boys.
The 17-year-old Edmonton boy was charged with three counts each of burglary and stealing, four counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, two counts of fraud, and one count each of attempted enter dwelling, attempted fraud, unlicensed driving, possess house breaking instrument, receiving tainted property, and serious assault person over 60.
The 15-year-old Edmonton boy was charged with three counts each of burglary and stealing, four counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, two counts of fraud and one count each of attempted enter dwelling, attempted fraud and receiving tainted property.
Police opposed both boys’ bail and they will appear in the Cairns Children's Court.
Investigations are continuing.
Man in hospital after alleged car hit
A 44-year-old man has been charged following an alleged incident of dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm in Wangan, south of Innisfail, on Friday March 4.
Police will allege an altercation broke out between a 44-year-old South Johnstone man and a 33-year-old Stoters Hill man on Meyer Ave at approximately 3pm, before the 44-year-old allegedly drove his vehicle into the 33-year-old and left the scene.
The 33-year-old was taken to Innisfail Hospital with fractures to his leg.
The 44-year-old man was later arrested and charged with one count of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing grievous bodily harm and left scene of incident without obtaining help.
He is expected to face Innisfail Magistrates Court on March 11.
WEATHER
It will be a partly cloudy Friday in Cairns, with a medium chance of showers and the chance of a thunderstorm.
Light winds becoming north-easterly 15 to 20km/h in the middle of the day then becoming light in the afternoon. The possible rainfall will range between 1mm and 5mm with a minimum temperature of 26C and top of 33C.
Across the region
Cairns: Shower or two 26-33C
Atherton: Shower or two 20-30C
Cardwell: Shower or two 25-34C
Cooktown: Shower or two 25-33C
Innisfail: Partly cloudy 24-33C
Mareeba: Shower or two 23-32C
TRAFFIC
Cairns North
Roadworks, line marking on Sheridan St, Cairns North, southbound towards Cairns City to April 4, 2022. Allow extra travel time.
Cape Tribulation / Kimberley
Roadworks have been reported on Cape Tribulation Bloomfield Road at Cape Tribulation / Kimberley
Long delays are expected in both directions towards Wujal Wujal.
Coen / Laura
The Peninsula Developmental Road is subject to a 5 Tonne GVM limit from Laura to Coen due to water over the road.
Craiglie / Mowbray
Road safety upgrades on the Captain Cook Hwy are expected to cause delays to March 30, 2022.
Edmonton/Gordonvale
Roadworks are being carried out on the Bruce Highway — Cairns Southern Access Corridor — Stage 3: Edmonton to Gordonvale. Delays expected (during active hours of work), with all lanes in both directions affected. The work is expected to run until June 30, 2023.
Edmonton / Gordonvale / Wrights Creek
Road works on Yarrabah Rd and the Bruce Highway due to the Cairns Southern Access Corridor — Stage 3: Edmonton to Gordonvale are expected to cause motorist delays.
All lanes in both directions are affected and changed traffic conditions are in place.
Feluga
Major intersection upgrade at East Feluga Road and Bruce Hwy. Delays are expected to August 12, 2022.
Lake Eacham
Wrights Creek Road is closed to all traffic. Motorists are advised to use an alternative route.
Malanda
Bridge Replacement Works are being undertaken at Williams Creek on Merragallan Road commencing 29 November 2021 through to April 2022. A full road closure will be in place. There will be no access across the Williams Creek or any sidetrack in operation.
Ravenshoe
Roadworks have been reported at Grigg St, Ravenshoe and are expected to December 12, 2022.
Wrights Creek
Hill Road Closed permanently from the Bruce Highway to Harris Road to December 2024.
WHAT’S ON
The following Cairns Regional Council services are available:
Cairns Esplanade Lagoon
Picnic benches outside of Muddies
Public barbecues
Fitness equipment
Playgrounds including Muddy’s Playground and the Fun Ship Playground
Basketball and tennis courts
Bump tracks and BMX tracks (within parks)
The Esplanade Activity Precinct (skate plaza, bouldering park, beach volleyball courts, multipurpose court)
The Lagoon and Council-run swimming pools
Flecker Gardens
Arts and cultural venues including Cairns Performing Arts Centre, Tanks Arts Centre, the Courthouse gallery
Buy Back Shop
Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre
Barlow Park
Tobruk, Smithfield and Gordonvale pools
Marlin Coast Recreation Centre
Green Space Our Place
TOP EVENTS THIS WEEK
The Celebration of Swing
What: The Celebration of Swing will be a Big Band Blast! A concert spectacular honouring the famous American Big Band leaders and their Orchestras from the 1940s, the golden era of swing. This concert will feature John Morrison’s Swing City: fifteen musicians and singers, plus showcase two esteemed singers, Gregg Arthur and Jackie Cooper plus Sydney’s top instrumental jazz soloists.
When: Friday March 11
Where: CPAC
Tickets: Tickets can be found here
Paint the Town: 2021 Queensland Regional Art Awards
What: An award-winning selection of regional Queensland talent. An initiative of Flying Arts Alliance, Paint the Town, is the touring exhibition of 2021 Queensland Regional Art Awards, showcasing the works of 28 talented emerging and established artists from across regional Queensland. Evoking the spirit of celebration by responding to the competition theme “paint the town,” artists examine the activities, environments, and moments in which they rejoice in celebration.
When: Friday March 11, 10am
Where: 38 Abbott St, Cairns City
Tickets: Free
Originally published as Today in Cairns: Cairns police charge man over alleged biting assault
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