A 51-year-old Victorian man charged after a campfire he allegedly lit spread and turned into a scrub fire at Hawkesbury Heights on Friday night has had his case dismissed.
Blue Mountains Local Area Command Detective Chief Inspector Dietmar Almer said the case was dismissed under section 33 of the mental health act when the man faced Penrith Local Court on December 5.
The fire took place during Friday’s total fire ban.
Emergency services were called to bushland off Hawkesbury Rd about 9pm after a passer-by noticed the campfire was out of control.
It burnt an area of about 50 metres by 30 metres, before being extinguished.
The man was charged with intentionally cause fire and be reckless to its spread, and it’s alleged he told police he was unaware of the total fire ban.
Robbery
About 1.10am on Saturday, December 4 a 29-year-old Katoomba man left a licensed Katoomba premises and allegedly confronted a group of two females and three males, near the intersection of Parke St and Bathurst Rd in Katoomba.
It is alleged that a number of members of the group began assaulting the man who fell to the ground. While on the ground, it is alleged that some members of the group removed a number of items from the man’s pockets, including a Samsung mobile phone, Det Insp Almer said.
The man had swelling and grazing around his left eye, blood in his eye and grazes to his chest. Paramedics were called and and he was taken to Katoomba Hospital for treatment.
One of the women is described as being aged between 18-25, with long red and black hair, of thin build and fair complexion, wearing a black skirt and top. The second female had a thin build, dark complexion, and was wearing white pants and a black top. One male was wearing cream coloured pants and another a red shirt. The group was last seen walking in a southerly direction down Parke St.
Police have spoken to a couple of witnesses and are appealing for further witnesses to contact Katoomba Police on 4782 8199.
Malicious damage
An unknown substance causing the paint to bubble was placed on a vehicle parked on Falls Rd in Wentworth Falls between midday on November 30 and 11.30am on December 1.
The substance was put on the bonnet and front and back passenger doors of the white Mitsubushi Triton 2004 model.
Police are seeking assistance from the public. Contact Katoomba Police on 4782 8199.
Leura accident
About 4.25pm Sunday, December 4 a black Toyota Kluger was travelling east on Gordon Rd when the driver attempted a left turn onto Leura Mall. It appears the Kluger driver failed to give way to traffic on Leura Mall and as a result collided with a silver Nissan Tiida, police said. As a result of the collision, both vehicles were significantly damaged.
Emergency services attended the scene and three people were taken to Blue Mountains Hospital with injuries including a possible broken leg.