Man jailed for ‘virtual carnal knowledge’
Michael James Mercer started having "virtual carnal knowledge" with a 15-year-old girl, exchanging more than 23,000 texts after a break-up, a court has heard.
crime, law and justice
Mosque bombing kills 32 in Pakistan
Pakistani officials say an explosion at a crowded mosque inside a police compound has left at least 32 people dead.
Premier flags sweeping justice reforms for Victoria
There will be a greater distinction between violent and non-violent offenders in bail reforms to be introduced in Victoria in the first half of 2023.
Police unit in fatal US bashing disbanded
The Memphis police chief has disbanded the US city's specialised Scorpion unit that included the officers who kicked, punched and struck Tyre Nichols to death.
Specialised DV court system on way for NSW
NSW won't yet replicate the specialised family violence courts in Queensland or Victoria, saying it needs a study to see how it would fit into its system.
Torture charge over bathroom barricade
A man has been charged with torture and other offences after he was allegedly barricaded inside a bathroom with a woman for more than four hours.
NSW parties vow domestic violence support
The major parties are proposing different policies to help domestic violence victim-survivors in NSW ahead of the March state election.
Man arrested over missing Qld woman
Police have arrested a 30-year-old man over the disappearance of 61-year-old Gold Coast woman Wendy Sleeman.
Garbo who killed elderly woman spared jail
A garbage truck driver who hit and killed an 83-year-old woman has been spared jail, after a judge found his driving exemplary apart from momentary inattention.
Petrified witnesses to give video evidence
The thought of giving evidence in front of a serial sex offender at his Brisbane committal hearing has "petrified" witnesses, a court has heard.
Broker jailed for stealing clients’ shares
Former Queensland stockbroker Roderick George Halligan stole $1.2 million in shares from clients and used fake documents to conceal the thefts for 12 years.
Bail denied for son accused of Qld kidnap
The son of a missing Gold Coast woman has been denied bail in a Brisbane court after being charged with offences including kidnapping and assault.
US says Hive ransomware gang taken down
The United States Justice Department says a ransomware gang called Hive, which had targeted more than 1500 victims in 80 countries, has been disrupted.
Son in custody as mum’s body found in car
The body of Queensland woman Wendy Sleeman was found inside her car in Brisbane as her son remains behind bars on a string of charges.
Church member in court over child abuse
A 36-year-old Geelong man who is a member of the Geelong Revival Centre has faced court accused of child sexual abuse offences.
Man on bail when he allegedly abducted mum
A Queensland court has been told a man who has been accused of abducting his mother, who was later found dead, was on bail at the time of the alleged offence.
Cops injured in mass Australia Day melee
Two police officers were injured and 10 people arrested during two Australia Day brawls involving about 150 people in Perth.
Man makes bomb threat to stop IVF visit
Worried about the cost of his wife's IVF treatment, a Queensland man tried to stop her from attending a clinic by making a bomb threat during morning peak hour.
L-plater who held child, phone convicted
A learner driver caught behind the wheel with a child in her lap and a mobile phone in her hand has been convicted but will avoid jail after pleading guilty.
Man jailed for violent Qld home invasion
A man has been jailed after taking part in a father and son's violent home invasion that forced a Queensland family to leave and never return.
Cordingley suspect’s extradition approved
A magistrate in India has signed a report approving the extradition of the man suspected of murdering Toyah Cordingley on a Queensland beach four years ago.
Pilot to stand trial for campers’ killings
Airline pilot Greg Lynn has been ordered to stand trial in the Victorian Supreme Court for the murders of campers Russell Hill and Carol Clay in March 2020.
Dating apps put on notice over violence
Police and government representatives have met with dating app companies to considers ways of stamping out sexual violence facilitated by technology.
Vote flagged on NT booze ban to cut crime
The Northern Territory's chief minister says the Australian Electoral Commission could hold a poll on communities opting in or out of alcohol bans.
Truck driver charged over school bus crash
A truck driver has been charged over a crash with a school bus that injured more than two dozen students and teachers in Victoria.
Torture charges, boy critically injured
Police have charged a man with grievous bodily harm and torture after three children were injured, one critically, southeast of Brisbane.
Ex-judges to lead new Qld forensic board
The Queensland government has appointed two former judges to head Forensic Science Queensland's new interim advisory board.
Missed warning ahead of police killings
The daughter of people who killed two police officers in regional Queensland says officers sent to their property should have been told they mistrusted police.
NT alcohol restrictions amid crime crisis
The Northern Territory government will restrict the sale of alcohol in Alice Springs and central Australia in a bid to curb surging youth crime.
Qld youth reoffending rate worst in nation
New data on recidivism rates among young people comes as the Queensland government works to implement a plan it says will drive down youth crime.
Foster claims hackers breach emails
Peter Foster's legal fight over an alleged multimillion-dollar Bitcoin scam faces more delays amid claims hackers have breached privileged legal emails.