Tasmanian coroner says killing of Gagebrook man Jarrod Leigh Turner ‘cold-blooded’

A coroner has found that the 2019 death of Gagebrook dad Jarrod Leigh Turner was a “planned, intentional killing”. The latest:

Generic Police badge, crime, file, cops, accident, Tasmania Police,

For the latest, follow The Beat, the Mercury’s live breaking news blog with the latest traffic, police, fire and ambulance news across the state.

Gagebrook dad’s death a “cold-blooded killing”, coroner says

4.30pm: A Tasmanian coroner has confirmed that the killing of 22-year-old Jarrod Leigh Turner near Richmond in 2019 was calculated and “cold-blooded”.

Coroner Simon Cooper said his investigation into the late Gagebrook dad’s death – conducted without an inquest – found that he died at the hands of Shannon James Duffy, with the cause of death being a shotgun wound to the head.

Mr Turner on April 14, 2019 by the side of Colebrook Rd, north of Richmond.

Duffy pleaded guilty to the murder and was convicted of the crime in 2020. He was sentenced to a term of imprisonment for the term of his natural life but the Supreme Court ordered that he could be eligible for parole.

However, he cannot be released until April 19, 2037 at the earliest.

In his published findings released on Wednesday, Mr Cooper echoed the words of sentencing judge, Justice Michael Brett, saying the murder of Mr Turner was “a planned, intentional and cold-blooded killing committed by a person with a demonstrated propensity to engage in violent criminal conduct, including with the use of firearms”.

“I convey my sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of Mr Turner,” Mr Cooper said.

Over 46 cars broken into in Launceston area, police say

11.07am: Police have charged a group of northern Tasmanians they allege are responsible for over 46 car break-ins across the greater Launceston area in recent months.

Six people – four youths, a 24-year-old Launceston man and a 20-year-old George Town man – have been charged with multiple offences on Wednesday in response to the four separate occasions where a total of 46 cars were broken into and property stolen,

Detective Sergeant Darren Turner said offenders forced entry to some vehicles, however others had been left unlocked.

“Small valuable items were stolen from many of the cars, with some of these items now recovered,” he said.

“Police would like to remind members of the public to remove valuable from unattended cars where possible, and always ensure cars are left locked and secure.”

A 20-year-old George Town man has been charged with eight counts of burglary, eight counts of stealing and other unrelated offences, following alleged vehicle burglaries in Kings Meadows, Norwood and West Launceston earlier this year.

A 24-year-old Launceston man has been charged with 19 counts of burglary and 17 counts of stealing, following alleged vehicle burglaries in hotel car parks in the Launceston CBD between August and September this year.

A Launceston youth has been charged with four counts of burglary, two counts of attempted burglary and two counts of stealing following alleged vehicle burglaries in South Launceston and West Launceston earlier this month.

Three youths have been charged with eight counts of burglary and eight counts of stealing following alleged vehicle burglaries involving unlocked cars in Newnham last week.

Members of the public should remain vigilant, and any suspicious behaviour can be reported to police on 131 444.

Police seek assistance for fire station damage

10.34am: Police are seeking public assistance in relation to property damage at the Claremont Fire Station earlier this week.

The station on Main Road, Claremont received what police allege is deliberate damage to the windows of the fire station between 5pm and 8pm on Monday, November 25.

No injuries were reported, but police are calling on the public to assist with information as to how the damage was caused.

Anyone with information or dashcam footage is encouraged to contact police on 131 444.

Northern Tasmanian woman allegedly set fire to Launceston bedroom

1.20am: Tasmania Police have been pulled into firefighting duties on Tuesday in an attempt to contain an allegedly deliberately-lit fire in a Launceston home.

Police and members of the Tasmania Fire Service (TFS) were called to a house fire in Canning Street, Launceston on Tuesday night to find a fire alight in one of the bedrooms of the resident.

Police managed to contain the fire to a small area of the residence prior to the TFS arriving, who then completely extinguished the fire.

Police alleged the fire was deliberately lit and estimated damages at around $5000.

Later on Tuesday, Northern Criminal Investigation Branch officers charged a 42-year-old Conara woman with arson.

She was bailed to appear in the Launceston Court of Petty Sessions at a later date.

Anyone with information about the incident can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

15-year-old allegedly stole vehicle, drove it into water

10.30am: Officers have accused a 15-year-old of driving an allegedly stolen vehicle to Roches Beach and then dumping it, fully submerged in the water.

Police believe the vehicle was stolen from Dodges Ferry in the early hours of November 22.

The teenager was arrested on Monday, police say, and faces several charges including aggravated burglary, burglary, stealing, unlawful destroying property, unlicensed driving and speeding.

He has been detained in custody to appear in the Hobart Youth Justice Court later on Tuesday morning.

Police say investigations into the motor vehicle theft were continuing, and anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.

Injured man taken to hospital after truck crash

9.30am: Emergency services attended a single-vehicle truck crash on Frankford Rd, Harford about 3.30am, police said.

Paramedics attending the scene in the state’s northwest took the man to the Launceston General Hospital, where it’s believed he remains in a serious but stable condition.

Officers are continuing investigations into the crash and have asked anyone who was travelling in the area at the time of the incident to speak with police.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Devonport Police on 131 444.

Three young men banned from licenced venues after assault

November 26: Three men in their early 20s have been issued Police Barring Orders following charges to an incident at a Hobart licenced premises on November 14.

The charges include assault, failure to leave when required and acting in a violent or disorderly manner, police confirm.

The order bans the men from entering or being near licenced venues in Southern Tasmania, including pubs, clubs, restaurants and function centres for six months.

Acting Inspector Danny Jackson said barring orders were a vital tool to protect the community to ensure venues remained safe and enjoyable for everyone.

“Tasmania Police works closely with licensed venues to uphold liquor licensing laws, which protect patrons and create safer spaces for the entire community,” said Acting Inspector Jackson.

Elsewhere, on Monday evening, police officers responded to two separate wounding incidents in the Rosny Park area.

The first, reported around 5.40pm, occurred at a fast food outlet between parties officers believe were known to each other.

A teenager was reportedly injured and officers were searching for the offender.

The other incident was reported just before 7pm. Officers said a teenager had been wounded in an unrelated incident between people known to each other.

A male is in a stable condition after receiving non-life threatening injuries, police say.

Officers say a female teenager was in custody assisting with inquiries.

Police concerned over results of northern roads blitz

3.28pm: Tasmania Police are concerned over road safety in northern Tasmania after recording several traffic offences during a multiple day road blitz operation.

Acting Inspector Martin Parker said Northern Road Policing officers conducted an operation on the Frankford Highway at Exeter on Saturday, and over the course of an hour, 14 speeding motorists were detected.

“Among them, a motorcyclist was clocked at 128 km/h in a 60 km/h zone, resulting in an immediate 4-month disqualification, a $1161.50 fine, and six demerit points,” he said.

“Additionally, a P-plater was caught travelling at 101 km/h in a 60 zone, receiving an immediate 3-month disqualification, an $858.50 fine, and six demerit points.

One motorcyclist was clocked by police travelling at 128km/h in a 60km/h zone on Saturday. Picture: Tasmania Police.

“One occupant of a speeding vehicle was also found not wearing a seat belt.

“On Monday, we were out again conducting drug and alcohol testing in a joint operation with Western District Road Policing members in the Frankford area, and one person was caught drug driving, and another was found to be driving an unregistered vehicle.

Acting Inspector Parker said he was concerned with the amount of dangerous driving recorded in short period, stating it is a sign that there are multiple drivers committing traffic offences and “putting other road users and themselves at risk.”.

“Police will continue to target unsafe and risky driving behaviour to ensure the safety of all road users, and we ask our community members to help us do this by letting us know if they witness dangerous driving on our roads,” he said.

To report dangerous driving, call police on 131 444 or triple-0 (000) in an emergency.