Australia crime updates: Woman allegedly touched while on morning jog
LIVE UPDATES: A woman was allegedly sexually touched while on a morning jog in Bondi.
Scroll down for live updates and the latest crime news.
Emily Williams is reporting live.
Childcare worker charged with 200 child abuse offences
A former childcare worker has been charged with more than 200 child abuse offences.
Police allege a 48-year-old man sexually abused 23 children, aged between one and five, between July 2014 and December 2017.
He was employed as a childcare worker at a childcare centre in Sydney’s Inner West.
At 8.25am on Friday, the man from Queensland was arrested and charged with 202 offences; 68 counts of sexual intercourse with a child under 10, 42 counts of aggravated sexual intercourse with child under 10 – under authority, 69 counts of aggravated indecent assault (10 years), and 23 counts of produce child abuse material (10 years)
The man was remanded in custody and expected to appear in court on Friday.
If you or someone you know needs help, contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), or Sexual Assault Counselling Australia on 1800 211 028, the WA Sexual Assault Resource Centre on 6458 1828 or 1800 199 888 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Young people seeking support can phone beyondblue on 1300 22 4636 or go to headspace.org.au.
Person dies after horror house blaze
A person has died after a devastating house fire.
Emergency services were contacted around 6.40pm on Thursday with reports of a fire in the north-west Sydney suburb of South Windsor.
When they arrived at the home on Macquarie Street, it was well alight.
Despite the efforts of Fire and Rescue NSW to extinguish the blaze, the home was destroyed.
A person, who has not been formally identified, was located inside the house deceased.
An investigation into the fire is underway to determine its cause.
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
Anyone with information or footage is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Woman allegedly touched while on morning jog
Police are appealing for assistance after a woman was allegedly touched while jogging.
Around 5.30am on Thursday, police were contacted about an alleged sexual touching incident on Bondi Road, Bondi.
NSW Police officers were told a 33-year-old woman was jogging when she was approached by an unknown man and sexually touched.
The man, who was riding a red bicycle, is described as being Caucasian, aged between 30 and 40, and around 175cm tall.
He was wearing a green jacket, blue shorts, fluro-green shoes, and carrying a black duffle bag.
Anyone with any information or footage is being urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Manhunt after more than 160 brazen cemetery thefts
A manhunt is underway for a 32-year-old accused of stealing more than 160 plaques from a cemetery.
Victoria Police said Jacob Rapana is wanted on warrants for a series of thefts from a cemetery in the Melbourne suburb of Cheltenham earlier this month.
Between October 1 and 10, more than 160 brass plaques were stolen from the premises on Charman Road.
Rapana is described as being Pacific Islander/Maori in appearance and around 165cms tall. He has a slim build, long black hair, and a single brown eye.
Police said the 32-year-old may be sleeping rough.
Anyone with any information is being urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
