THE BEAT: Man fined for dumping, police investigating after fire kills family pet

Man buries partner, fails to report body | Three teens seriously injured in ute rollover | Big fine for illegal dumper | Family pet killed in house fire. FOLLOW LIVE >>

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MAN CHARGED FOR BURYING PARTNER’S BODY, FAILING TO REPORT BODY

NOVEMBER 26

A MAN who allegedly buried his partner’s body on a rural property has been charged with failing to report a death and mishandling human remains, Tasmania Police said.

Bellerive CIB and Forensic Services attended the property on Tuesday and Wednesday where a grave containing a female body was located.

It is understood they had received information related to the investigation prior to visiting the property.

Police have alleged the 69-year-old Cranbrook man buried his partner’s body following her death in August.

The man had allegedly failed to report his partner’s death to authorities as required.

He was interviewed and charged with one count of failing to report a death and one count of mishandling human remains.

Police have said investigations are ongoing.

The male will appear in the Hobart Magistrates Court on March 10, 2021.

Anyone with information has been urged to contact Bellerive CIB on 131 444 or report anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestopperstas.com.au

APPEAL FOR HELP AFTER ASSAULT

NOVEMBER 26

Tasmania police are looking to speak with anyone who witnessed an assault that took place at 10am on Saturday night in the Hobart CBD.

Police said a 28-year-old Bellerive received facial injuries and was taken

to the Royal Hobart Hospital after an alleged attack on the corner of Murray and Collins St.

Anyone with further information in relation to the matter is asked to speak to the Hobart

CIB on 131444 or report anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or

crimestopperstas.com.au.

TRUCK VS. CAR AT RAILTON

NOVEMBER 26

Police and emergency were called to the scene of a crash between a car and a truck on Railton Road at Railton in Tasmania’s north at roughly 1.45pm.

Tasmania police are urging motorists to avoid the area until the scene is cleared.

“At this stage no life-threatening injuries have been reported,” a statement read.

TEEN PINNED BY ROLLED UTE

NOVEMBER 26

Three teenagers, including the driver on his L-plates, are in a serious condition following a rollover at Nile this morning early this morning.

Tasmania Police are investigations continue into the crash on Bryants Lane at Nile, just west of Ben Lomond National Park, around 4.30am this morning but police say speed, alcohol, and no seatbelts were a factor.

“Initial investigations indicate a 16-year-old male learner driver's licence holder was driving the white coloured utility along the gravel road when it crashed into an embankment after failing to negotiate a right-hand bend and rolling a number of times,” Sergeant Ben Kromkamp said.

“The vehicle sustained major damage with the tray of the vehicle separating from the vehicle.

“There were three passengers in the vehicle with two occupants being ejected on impact.

According to the sergeant, one of the teens was pinned under the vehicle and was extracted by Tasmania Fire Service using specialist equipment.

“The driver and two passengers, all male aged 16-17 years, were transported to the Launceston General Hospital with serious injuries,” he said.

The road was closed for much of today while police investigating the crash scene.

“From preliminary investigations, speed, alcohol, inexperience and not wearing a seatbelt were all contributing factors in the crash.”

“Police urge all motorists to take road safety seriously to avoid crashes,” Sgt Kromkamp said.

Anyone who witnessed the crash or has dashcam footage is asked to contact Launceston Police Station on 6777 3945 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000.

COLEBROOK ILLEGAL DUMPER FINED

NOVEMBER 26

Police have issued a man an infringement notice and fine for illegally dumping litter on the side of the road in Colebrook.

Following an investigation by Southern Midlands Council and Tasmania Police, a 27- year-old Colebrook man was issued with an infringement notice for depositing litter in a public place with a volume between 2 and 10 cubic metres, and fine of $1,720.

It is alleged that between Saturday 14 November and Monday 16 of November the man dumped several small truckloads of garden and outdoor rubbish on the side of Yarlington Rd, approximately 8km from Colebrook.

Senior Sergeant Parker said that the information provided to police and council in a very timely manner identifying the individual concerned, was greatly appreciated.

FIREYS CALLED TO SUBURBAN HOUSE FIRE

NOVEMBER 25

TWO people are assisting police with investigations into a “suspicious” fire that “totally destroyed” a house in the state’s south.

Hobart Tasmanian Fire Service Senior Station Officer Michael Netherton said emergency services were alerted to the house fire at Lucinda Parade, Lutana, via triple-0 at 7.59pm.

He confirmed a pet dog died in the house fire, which was “quite distressing for the owner”, but all inhabitants were safe.

Tasmania Police and Tasmania Fire Service attend a house fire in Lucinda Parade, Lutana. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

Mr Netherton said the flames were visible to his crews from Cleary’s Gates, with the blaze causing an internal floor to fall, with fears an external wall of the brick house may collapse.

“Upon arrival most of the fire appeared to be in the rear of the building,” he said.

Teams will work through the night with investigations to continue in the morning.

Tasmania Fire Service crews clean off after extinguishing a house fire in Lutana. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

EARLIER: FIRE has damaged a house in the state’s south with initial reports suggesting the building was “fully engulfed”.

Fire crews and police were called to the Lucinda Parade, Lutana, property about 8pm.

Nearby resident Cyril Proud said he and his wife saw “smoke and flames” rising from the property.

He said he stood by and watched as Tasmania Fire Service crews extinguished the blaze within half an hour.

Police and fire personnel at the house fire in Lucinda Parade, Lutana. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

FALLEN POWERLINE BLOCKS ROADWAY

NOVEMBER 25

Motorists are asked to avoid Tinderbox Road as a fallen powerline blocks the road.

Tasmania Police issued an alert to Tinderbox road users at 4.45pm today after a fallen tree branch reportedly damaged the powerline.

TasNetworks are currently working to repair the line.

FIREARMS STOLEN FROM BAGDAD ADDRESS

NOVEMBER 25

Police are investigating the theft of two firearms from a Bagdad address in southern Tasmania between 7pm on Monday and 6am yesterday.

At this time two rifles – a Howa 223 Model 1500 and a Stirling 223 model 1500 -were stolen together with a quantity of ammunition of various calibres.

The firearms, which were in an outbuilding, were not stored correctly. Investigations are continuing into the matter.

Firearms owners are reminded they need to comply with enhanced firearms storage requirements which came into force in December 2017.

The requirements are designed to help prevent the theft of firearms.

POLICE INVESTIGATING DELIBERATELY LIT VEGETATION FIRES

NOVEMBER 25

Police are investigating two deliberately lit vegetation fires on Laurence Place in Gagebrook last night around 10.45pm and 11.15pm.

Witnesses reported seeing four youths in the vicinity of the fires and at least one of those youths with a lighter.

Police are following specific lines of inquiry and are also following up on reports of a possible attempt to light a fire in the vicinity of the toilet block in Fitzgerald Community Park about 10.15pm last night.

Four youths were again reported in that area at that time.

Acting Inspector Curtis of Bridgewater Police said: “While the vegetation fires were extinguished quickly by the Tasmania Fire Service the fires were near the vicinity of houses and had the potential to cause personal injury and property damage.”

The fires came within metres of boundary fences of some of the houses.

“While we have received information from some members of the public, we believe there are others who can assist with these matters, and I ask those people to come forward,” Insp Curtis said.

Anyone with information in relation to the fires or suspicious activity in the area around the time is asked to contact Bridgewater Police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000.

TRUCKIE INJURED IN NORTHERN CRASH

NOVEMBER 25

Police and emergency services are on the scene of a single truck crash on the Bass Highway at Rocky Cape, near Whites Rd.

The road is completely blocked by an unladen milk tanker.

The driver of the truck is being transported to hospital by ambulance with non-life-threatening injuries.

Motorists are asked to avoid the area until the scene is cleared.

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