Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

A 43-year-old man will face court today after allegedly burning his partner with boiling water.

On Saturday morning (26 April 2025), the man allegedly threw a kettle containing boiling water at his partner, causing burns to various parts of her body.

Police allege the boiling water also struck two dogs.

About 10:25am, the man’s partner called for assistance and a short time later police attended the residence.

The man – who was subject to bail conditions at the time of the incident – has been charged with breach of bail, aggravated common assault and cruelty to animals.

The man is scheduled to appear in the ACT Magistrates Court today (Monday, 28 April 2025).

ACT Policing stands ready to assist victims experiencing family violence.

If you are in this situation – when it is safe to do so – please contact police on 131 444 or Triple Zero (000) in an emergency, or contact a support service who can assist with crisis support, safety planning and advice.

If you require assistance, you can contact:

• Triple Zero (000) in an emergency or life-threatening situation.
• Police Assistance on 131 444 if it is a non-emergency, but you require police assistance.
• The Domestic Violence Crisis Service provides a 24-hour crisis line, advice, safety planning and information every day of the year and can be reached on 02 6280 0900.
• The Canberra Rape Crisis Centre provides a 24-hour crisis line and can be contacted on 02 6280 0900.

The below statement is attributable to ACT Chief Police Officer, Scott Lee

I would like to acknowledge recent media reporting regarding incidents involving ACT Policing members. ACT Policing has actively engaged with the Canberra Times as part of this series of reports and has been open and transparent.

I understand the impact this reporting may have on members of our community and the concerns the community may have with some of the allegations of misconduct documented in these reports.

I would like to reassure Canberrans that all members of ACT Policing remain committed to serving the Canberra community and keeping all members of our community safe. ACT Policing members respond to more than 50,000 incidents each year, and in nearly all matters do so with care, professionalism and to the high standards expected by ACT Policing and the community.

Where there are allegations that the response of ACT Policing members does not meet these expectations, we treat these extremely seriously and ensure that they are appropriately investigated, including by referring matters to the AFP’s Professional Standards Command. The investigation of these allegations are also subject to robust external oversight, including through the office of the ACT Ombudsman and the National Anti-Corruption Commission.

ACT Policing remains committed to being transparent and accountable with the community in responding to any allegations of misconduct.

Each and every day, officers face challenging and dangerous situations and need to make decisions quickly to resolve them safely. In the vast majority of these situations, ACT Policing officers deal with these incidents with care and diligence, treating those involved fairly.

I would like to reassure the ACT community that when it is confirmed an officer has not met our high standards then appropriate sanctions are available, from formal counselling through to demotion, termination and criminal charges.

A 34-year-old man who allegedly committed family violence offences in 2022 has been extradited from Queensland to the ACT to face court.

During the early hours of 21 September 2022, police allege the man committed a family violence assault against a woman, his ex-partner, at his residence in Braddon.

He is alleged to have assaulted the woman and prevented her from leaving his residence.

Following an investigation by ACT Policing’s Criminal Investigations team and with assistance from Domestic and Family Violence Investigation Unit (DFVIU) and Queensland Police, the man was located in the Sunshine Coast, QLD on Wednesday (7 May 2025) where he was arrested.

He was extradited to the ACT and is due to appear before the ACT Magistrates Court today (Friday, 9 May 2025), charged with multiple family violence offences including contravene a family violence order, aggravated common assault, aggravated damage property and forcible confinement.

ACT Policing stands ready to assist victims experiencing family violence, and works with other law enforcement partners to locate and arrest family violence perpetrators.

If you are in this situation – when it is safe to do so – please contact police on 131 444 or Triple Zero (000) in an emergency, or contact a support service who can assist with crisis support, safety planning and advice.

If you require assistance, you can contact:

• Triple Zero (000) in an emergency or life-threatening situation.
• Police Assistance on 131 444 if it is a non-emergency, but you require police assistance.
• The Domestic Violence Crisis Service provides a 24-hour crisis line, advice, safety planning and information every day of the year and can be reached on 02 6280 0900.
• The Canberra Rape Crisis Centre provides a 24-hour crisis line and can be contacted on 02 6280 0900

Updated at 8:50am on Saturday, 10 May 2025

Good news Canberra, the missing 16-year-old boy has been located safe and well. Thank you for your assistance.

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ACT Policing is seeking the public’s assistance to locate missing 16-year-old boy Cohen.

Cohen has not been seen or heard from since about 7pm, Tuesday 6 May, and was last seen in Giralang.

He is described as Caucasian in appearance, about 165cm (5’5”) tall, with a slim build, fair complexion and short brown hair.

He was last seen wearing a black and yellow baseball cap, a black jumper, a faded black T-shirt, black track pants and, orange and black shoes. He may be carrying two bags.

Cohen normally uses public buses as his main source of transportation.

Police and Cohen’s family hold concerns for his welfare, and are requesting the public’s assistance to locate him.

Anyone who has seen Cohen, or who may have any information regarding his whereabouts is urged to contact ACT Policing on 131 444. Please quote reference number 8043860. Information can be provided anonymously.

ACT Policing is seeking witnesses and persons with information about alleged offending by a café manager in Gungahlin to come forward.

About 7:25am yesterday (7 May 2025), police conducted a search warrant at a 32-year-old man’s residence, where he was subsequently arrested.

Police allege the man abused a 15-year-old girl at their workplace in April this year.

The man will face the ACT Magistrates Court this morning (Thursday, 8 May 2025) to face charges of three counts of sexual intercourse with a child under 16, act of indecency on person under 16 and supply liquor to young person in a public place.

Anyone with information about the café manager’s interactions with current or former employees is urged to come forward.

If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual violence, you can report to police by attending a police station or calling 131444.

You can also submit an online report for historical sexual assault for incidents that occurred more than six months ago.

If your report relates to this matter, please quote 8031517.

Anyone who can assist police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website.

ACT Policing is seeking witnesses and mobile phone footage following an assault in Turner last month.

About 6:10pm on Friday, 25 April 2025 (ANZAC Day), police responded to reports of a disturbance of approximately 20 people fighting in a rear car park of a hospitality venue in Turner.

During the incident one person sustained a broken ankle requiring hospitalisation.

Enquiries into the incident are ongoing and police are appealing for any witnesses or anyone with mobile phone footage of the incident to come forward.

Police are urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website.  Please quote 8032327. Information can be provided anonymously.

ACT Policing is seeking witnesses to dangerous driving in Gungahlin after a 53-year-old man was charged with failing to stop for police last week.

About 7:10pm last Friday (2 May 2025), officers from Gungahlin Station were conducting patrols when they saw a grey Holden Captiva SUV driving dangerously on Horse Park Drive.

Police activated their lights and sirens but the driver of the Holden failed to stop, and continued driving along Horse Park Drive onto Gecko Way in Thorsby.

A short time later, the vehicle mounted the kerb and hit a light pole before coming to a stop. Officers arrested the man and he was taken to Gungahlin Police Station to undergo a Breath Analysis Test where he recorded a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) reading of 0.231 – more than four times the legal limit.

The 53-year-old man was issued with an immediate suspension notice, suspending his licence for 90 days. He will also face the ACT Magistrates Court at a later date charged with multiple driving offences.

Police are seeking witnesses or dash-cam footage of the grey Holden Captiva bearing ACT registration YNG 20L driving dangerously in the Gungahlin area.

Police are also looking for the driver of a black BMW sedan that may have been hit by the Holden on Bettong Avenue near Gecko Way.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website.  Please quote 8038770. Information can be provided anonymously.

Updated at 6:45pm, Sunday 11 May 2025

Good news Canberra, wanted 21-year-old man Jamie Barry has been located and arrested. He is due to appear before the ACT Magistrates Court tomorrow, charged with family violence offences.

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Updated at 4.05pm, Tuesday 6 May 2025

Thanks Canberra, Mr Smith-Benzie has been located and arrested. He is due to face the ACT Magistrates Court tomorrow, charged with contravening a family violence order and using a carriage service to harass.

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ACT Policing is urgently seeking the public’s assistance to locate wanted men, 21-year-old Jamie Barry and 29-year-old Elliot Smith-Benzie.

Both men are wanted in relation to separate family violence incidents.

Mr Barry is described as Caucasian in appearance, with a thin build, short blonde hair and blue eyes.

Mr Smith-Benzie is described as Pacific Islander in appearance, about 175cm (5’9”) tall, with a slim build, short dark brown hair and brown eyes.

Members of the public are urged not to approach Mr Barry or Mr Smith-Benzie, but to contact ACT Policing Operations on 131 444 immediately to report any information regarding their whereabouts.

ACT Policing is seeking to identify multiple people following a brawl that happened in the City last month.

About 3.05am on the morning of Sunday, 27 April 2025, multiple men and women were involved in a brawl in Verity Lane in the City.

ACT Policing is seeking those involved (or anyone who can identify those involved) to come forward.

Anyone who has information in relation to this incident should contact Crime Stoppers via the Crime Stoppers ACT website.  Please quote 8033462. Information can be provided anonymously.