Fears missing mum hitchhiked, never seen again
Detectives have released CCTV footage of Queensland mum of three Celeste McGain as the search for the missing woman ramps up. Do you recognise her?
Police & Courts
Mental health worker busted with meth in her system
A psychologist stopped for a random alcohol and drug test denied she had been using when police found drug items in her bag. But the test results showed otherwise.
Woman in 60s drives off road, hits tree
Emergency services are responding to reports of a car leaving the road and crashing into the bush just off the Peak Downs Highway. READ THE LATEST.
Woman hit by car, flown to hospital
A woman in her 50s was hospitalised following an early morning crash in a Bowen Basin mining town.
‘Living under a rock’: Magistrate’s Bruce Hwy dig in death driver case
As a meat worker was sentenced for being behind the wheel in a crash which killed his little brother, a magistrate made a powerful statement about the condition of Queensland’s roads.
Honeymoon husband not guilty of causing bride’s buggy crash death
A haunted husband has been cleared of causing a buggy crash during a dream island honeymoon which ended his wife’s life and changed his forever.
Body found in car near beach
Police have made a grim discovery near a public park by the beach.
‘Can’t believe she’s dead’: Island honeymoon horror caught on camera
Distressing footage of the moment police found a honeymooning husband distraught and his new bride dead after a buggy crash on Hamilton Island has been played in court.
Chaotic three car crash leaves police vehicle in ditch, two injured
The Bruce Highway was brought to a standstill between Mackay and Proserpine after a three vehicle crash involving a police vehicle hospitalised two.
Window smasher wields scooter as weapon
A North Queensland man has learnt his fate after drunkenly damaging a home with a scooter.
Two hospitalised in mining town crash
A two vehicle crash in a small Bowen Basin town on Saturday evening resulted in two men being sent to a nearby hospital.
Sex pest sends pic after stripping naked in front of legally blind massage therapist
A repeat sex pest has offered $500 as a sorry to the “vulnerable” woman he left upset and distressed after texting her a penis photo and explicit message months after booking her services as a massage therapist.
Man’s bail bid denied after two arrests in one week
A North Queensland man who allegedly reoffended days after he was arrested for being a public nuisance has defended his case for bail.
Witnesses to give evidence over island honeymoon buggy death scene
Two witnesses who were among the first on scene of the tragic Hamilton Island honeymoon death are set to be questioned about what they saw as hearing date nears.
Second bail bid for mum accused of repeat assault against partner
A mother accused of repeatedly assaulting her ex-partner and his mother in different locations across Queensland amid custody arguments has asked to be released on bail once again.
Qld mining company fined $720k over crushing death, injury
A Queensland mining company has learned its fate after one of its workers was crushed to death just months after another worker suffered a serious injury.
23 Mackay Whitsunday drug offenders exposed
From commercial-level trafficking to people caught holding drugs “just for a mate”, these 23 men and women learnt the hard way what happens when you’re caught with illicit substances. See the hotspots.
Slain mum had ‘never spoken’ to alleged gunman, friend claims
A distraught close friend of a Mackay mum shot dead in her driveway has spoken out as Red Cross counsellors door knock traumatised neighbours kept awake “hearing gunshots” in their head.
112 charges, $20k fine: Repeat thief faces his fate
A young man has faced his fate, including a potential 20k fine, after he repeatedly stole from servos between Bowen and Yeppoon.
WATCH: 10-day crime blitz nabs 250+ people on 596 charges
The statewide Operation Whiskey Legion has had ‘absolutely outstanding’ success in the tropical north with hundreds charged with offences including rape, sexual assault, DV, armed robberies and more. SEE THE VIDEO
Charges filed after historic building left to ruin, decay
The new buyer of an abandoned heritage-listed building in the Mackay CBD could face hefty repair bills after its current owner allegedly failed to comply with orders to fix it.
Diamonds to dope: Drug mule miner’s mouth stash
A Queensland miner, previously shown leniency over an MDMA, diamond, gold and cash haul, found himself back before the same judge and this time, his crime was hard to swallow… literally.
NAMED: Men charged after allegedly stealing $5K of copper
Police have arrested two men, 57 and 43, who they allege left mining equipment with more than half a million dollars worth of damages after being stripped for the valuable metal.
Man struck woman trying to break up fight with brother
A young man has learnt his fate for an abusive tirade and assault, continuing to shout at the woman in front of the police there to charge him.
The rugby player, rape ruse, body beside highway with 42 stab wounds
“I’ve murdered someone”, a killer tells the triple-0 operator, triggering a “truly horrendous” find and equally disturbing trial which left many questions unanswered and a trail of grief stretching across the Tasman.
‘Watched my annex curl up, melt’: Moment fire destroys caravans
A man has described the frightening moment he woke on Saturday to frantic bashing on his door as neighbouring caravans were destroyed by fire and the park was evacuated. PHOTOS.
Child among four injured in separate buggy, car crashes
A child was among four people injured in three separate crashes across the Mackay and Whitsundays regions overnight. DETAILS.
Woman had sex with dog while ex-boyfriend filmed
A former couple who repeatedly engaged in bestiality have learned their fate as details of their shameful acts were revealed. WARNING: Disturbing content.
‘Even if your babies are there’: Man jailed for Facebook threats
A young man has learned the consequences for harassing his partner’s sister, after despicable threats to commit unspeakable acts “even if your babies are there”.
‘Unimaginable hate’: Family sees son’s killer jailed for life
A jury has voted to convict a Queensland man of murder, refusing to accept he was provoked by an attempted rape after he chased a man 660m before stabbing him 42 times.
Future mum faces her fate after spree of break-ins, fraud
A North Queensland mother-to-be has claimed her pregnancy “made [her] change” despite facing multiple charges for taking part in a spree of break and enters she continued to do while on bail. DETAILS
Eight injured, three students confirmed in rural school bus crash
The Education Department has confirmed three students suffered injuries in a crash between a bus and car on a rural road in the state’s north-west. UPDATED
Dive instructor’s free boozy night a ‘boost’ for tourism numbers
A dive instructor drunk on vodka and shots has called a police officer a “dog” before resisting his own arrest claiming tourism operators could not refuse drinks with clients as it would be bad for tourism.
‘Blurred vision for days’: Mum sprays cops’ eyes with mystery chemical
When police were called to help a woman who appeared “drug-affected” and wandering into the street their efforts landed them in hospital.
Couple with baby terrified after man breaks into hotel room, starts shouting
A drunken man has scared a couple and their baby when he broke into their hotel room after a night of drinking, started shouting and then pushed the dad. DETAILS
Trailer tyre causes Bruce Highway blaze
A towed trailer has caused a grass fire by the side of the Bruce Highway that threatens traffic going into a North Queensland town. Here’s what we know.
Bruce Hwy reopened after four injured in truck vs car crash
One man was airlifted to hospital and three others were injured in a truck and car collision that shut the Bruce Highway between Mackay and Rockhampton. UPDATES
Rape case against stepdad declared a mistrial
The trial of a man charged with historic child abuse offences has fallen over after a jury failed to come to a unanimous verdict. WARNING: Distressing content
Illegal reef fisherman blames mistake on not being able to read
The case of a man accused of illegal fishing in a Great Barrier Reef protected zone has finally come to an end more than two years after it was first heard in court. His solicitor says this has caused him to become homeless.
Man in his 70s attacked in Airlie Beach park
Officers are calling for any witnesses to come forward following reports a man was assaulted in the early hours at a popular tourist town. DETAILS
MP unwittingly writes reference for convicted child rapist after arrest warrant bungle
A Queensland MP says he unwittingly gave a reference to a convicted child rapist who may have avoided facing punishment for some of his horror crimes but not for a chance encounter with police.
Man screams ‘help me’ after horror fall from resort’s infinity pool
A tourist at a popular Whitsundays resort has told of the horrifying moment she heard a man scream ‘help me’ after he reportedly fell 3m from an infinity edge pool. LATEST
Contractor punched and kicked by cattle graziers in scrap over fence
A family of miners and cattle graziers have wound up in court after having beef with a contractor who repeatedly damaged their barb-wire fence. See how it all unfolded.
Overly hands on former council candidate sentenced for assaulting woman
A cafe owner who wanted to be a councillor in a Queensland town has faced court for assaulting a woman after he put his hands in the pockets of her shorts. DETAILS
Granny’s heated tirade over Airbnb business dispute
A grandmother of five has assaulted her landlord, who she ‘thought was a friend’, over a business arrangement gone wrong. The two continued arguing even after police arrived.
‘Saved him from the worst’: New details in alleged shooting
New details can be revealed about a shooting incident involving a pizza delivery driver, where police allege a man emerged from the dark, pointed a rifle toward the teen driver and fired.
Woman allegedly drunk at wheel in court over fatal crash
A woman accused of dangerously driving her car while drunk causing the death of a Whitsundays man has faced court. DETAILS
Man charged with teen girl’s rape, BDSM sex act gone wrong faces court
Lawyers for a Queensland man charged over an alleged horror sex act gone wrong are pushing to cross examine a witness. LATEST
Cheeky dad with ‘kind soul’ mourned after motorcycle crash
A 33-year-old who died in a horror motorcycle crash is being remembered as a ‘beloved son, father, brother, and friend’ with an infectious laugh and positive determination.
‘Our stores have been hit 20 times since they opened’
Queensland motorcycle dealerships and riders are reaching snapping point as out of control break-ins send repair and insurance costs spiralling with four stores within a 5km radius ransacked just days apart. VIDEO.
Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/queensland/whitsunday/police-courts