17yo Legana P plater loses licence

Tasmania Police are reminding motorists to slow down and obey all speed limits after a p-plater was caught travelling at excessive speed, and without the required plates.

Tasmania Police. Picture: Supplied

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To report a crime, contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

P plater loses licence speeding

A 17-year-old P plater has lost his licence and copped a hefty fine after he was caught speeding in Carrick on Saturday afternoon.

The driver from Legana was travelling in a white Toyota Hilux when he was detected driving 118km/h in an 80km/h zone on Oaks Road about 3.30pm by Northern Road Policing Service.

The vehicle was also not displaying P plates as required.

He was fined $543 and lost five demerit points as a result of the incident.

Tasmania Police Service would like to remind motorists to slow down and obey all speed limits, including any speed restrictions regarding their licence.

Missing man found in serious condition

Police have commended the efforts of State Emergency Service and Tasmania Fire Service volunteers after a 77-year-old man, who went missing on his routine walk was located alive.

John William Hughes was found in bushland north of Exton about 11.55pm alive but in a critical condition and received urgent medical attention.

According to police Mr Hughes was seen around 10.30am the day before on Porters Bridge Road, when he went for a routine walk and did not return.

Police were alerted to the missing man later that day when he failed to attend an appointment.

As a result a number of resources were deployed including a drone equipped with infrared detection capability, SES volunteers, TFS volunteers, police search and rescue squad and local volunteers but were unable to locate the man.

More volunteers and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter were sent to the area the following morning.

Mr Hughes was located in a critical condition in thick bushland approximately 200m north of the Meander River about 150m in from Porters Bridge Rd, by a volunteer member of the Tasmania Fire Service.

He required urgent medical attention and was taken to Launceston General Hospital.

Senior Sergeant Michael Gillies said Mr Hughes was “very lucky” to be found and information received from members of the public helped police narrow their search.

“Without the assistance of the SES and TFS volunteers this may have had a very different

outcome for the missing man, his friends and family.”

John William Hughes of Exton, missing Tasmanian man. Picture: Tasmania Police

Tassie man arrested over $10,000 firewood theft

9.30am Thursday, February 9: A major operation between police and park authorities has resulted in seven people charged with stealing firewood — including one man with an alleged $10,000 haul.

Police say a 33-year-old Oakdowns man has been charged with 11 counts of trespass and 11 counts of stealing after allegedly been found within the Tin Pot Marsh Creek Reserve at Woodsdale cutting firewood.

After “a substantially major operation” within the reserve area by Tasmania Police, Parks and Wildlife Services and Sustainable Timber Tasmania in 2020 that saw 19 offenders charged, Tasmania Police recently received information that the theft of firewood was again occurring within the region.

Photo: File

“As a result of the information received, a joint operation was conducted by officers from Tasmania Police, Parks and Wildlife Services and Sustainable Timber Tasmania.

“As a result, a 33-year-old man was located within the region at 4am on 7 February 2023.”

Police said the man was arrested, charged and bailed to appear before the court at a later date. It is alleged the man has stolen in excess of 50 tonnes of firewood with an estimated value of $10,000.

Six other offenders identified during the operation will receive summonses to attend court for stealing and trespass offences.

Police reminded the public there were processes involved in firewood gathering and permits were available from Sustainable Timber Tasmania for the sole purpose of gathering firewood for personal use only.

Police ask the public to be cautious when buying firewood and to ask questions to ensure that it has been sourced legally.

Police investigating deliberate car fire

10.05am Thursday, February 9: Police are seeking help from the public over a deliberately lit car fire in Forcett on Friday, February 3.

Shortly before 3.50am, emergency services were alerted to a car on fire at a property on Blackwood Drive.

Tasmania Fire Service attended and extinguished the blaze.

The car was destroyed, and investigators have determined the fire was deliberately lit.

The vehicle is valued at $68,000 and at the time of the fire it contained tools to the value of around $10,000.

Crews battle Judbury blaze

Wednesday, February 8: Sustainable Timber Tasmania fire fighters remain on the scene of a fire at Jacobsons Rd, Judbury.

Tasmania Fire Services attended the scene yesterday evening when the fire broke out at about 6.40pm.

David White, Southern Region Duty Officer, Sustainable Timber Tasmania said the bushfire started overnight in an active forest harvesting operation and is approximately 10 hectares in size.

Fire in Judbury, Jacobsons Rd.

“Sustainable Timber Tasmania firefighting crews and machinery are working alongside water bombing aircraft to suppress fire activity,” he said.

“There is no threat to the public at this time.”

The cause of the bushfire has not yet been determined.

A spokesperson from TFS said there were currently four water bombing aircrafts on the scene.

A local resident believes this is the second incident at the site in the last few weeks.

Woman busted driving four times over legal alcohol limit

A 66-year-old woman from Lauderdale has been charged with high range drink driving after returning a blood-alcohol test almost four times the legal limit last Wednesday.

Southern Road Policing Services conducted a high visibility traffic operation at Mannata Street in Lauderdale where it is believed the woman failed to stop at the site.

She was intercepted and breath tested a short time later.

After returning a reading of 0.199 the woman had her licence disqualified on the spot for two years.

Inspector Jim Semmens said the woman had placed herself, the Tasmanian community, and the police officers involved in the operation at risk.

“No one can drive safely if they are drink driving, and this sort of behaviour will not be tolerated,” he said.

“I’d like the community to know police are doing all we can to keep them safe, and we will continue to conduct traffic operations anytime, anywhere.”

“If you’ve been drinking, don’t drive. It’s very simple.”

The woman will face court at a later date.

Crash blocks lane of major highway

Police and emergency services responded to reports of a crash on the Brooker Highway at about 3.20pm.

No serious injuries were reported as a result of the crash which involved two cars according to police.

One north bound lane was blocked until 4.40pm and is now clear.

Fatal motorcycle crash in state’s north

An Ulverstone man in his 60s has been killed in a recreational motorcycle ride on the weekend.

It is believed the man died at the scene of the single motorcycle crash near Paradise on Sunday.

The man was riding as part of a group on the weekend and was last seen by his acquaintances about 3.30pm.

Concerns were raised on Monday after the man failed to arrive at their destination.

Members of the group drove the previous day’s route, and located the man and his motorbike last night down a small bank off the side of the road, at Union Bridge Road.

Police are investigating and a report will be prepared for the Coroner.

Man charged with violent attack in Glenorchy

A 25-year-old man has been charged with wounding following an altercation in Glenorchy last night.

Police were called to a disturbance about 9.30pm on Main Road.

A man in his 30s receiving significant but non life-threatening head injuries.

The other man was arrested at the scene.

Police are investigating the circumstances around the incident but anyone with further information is asked to contact police on 131 444 or contact Crime Stoppers.