Wilful damage, Townsville and other top stories.

• Wilful damage, Townsville

  

  Six cars were damaged at a ferry terminal in Townsville overnight. Around 7am, a security guard attended the terminal’s car park on Sir Leslie Theiss Drive and noticed the damaged vehicles. The vehicles have had their windows smashed and it appears items from inside have been stolen. Police are working with the vehicles’ owners to draw up a list of stolen items. Anyone who may have seen or heard anything suspicious in the area last night is urged to contact police. Investigations are contin..

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• Spiral of lost youth

  

  YOUNG offenders’ lives are spiralling into a cycle of committing crimes, being locked behind bars and then reoffending – with the possibility of being rehabilitated dwindling every time they encounter the justice ­system. For the majority of juvenile criminals across Townsville, the problems begin before they start offending, coming from dysfunctional environments and having suffered ­significant trauma from a young age.The Bulletin ­revealed earlier this week the horrific offending cycle three ..

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• Safety eroded by grim truth

  

  THE number of convicted criminals released onto our streets has soared by 30 per cent, an explosive review sparked by the murder of Elizabeth Kippin has found.The Townsville grandmother was allegedly stabbed by parolee Anthony O’Keefe just seven hours after he was released from prison, shocking the city and triggering an independent investigation.Although the full review will not be delivered until November, an issues paper for the review has detailed serious concerns within Queensland’s parole ..

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• Mum cleared of abuse

  A MOTHER accused of sexually abusing her two young daughters has been found not guilty.The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was charged with six counts of indecent dealing and one count of rape but argued that she was a victim of domestic violence and was compelled to do the acts by her abusive ex-partner.During the trial, the jury heard the woman was charged with the offences based solely on her interview with police and that the children had made no disclosures of abuse by either ..

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• Armed robbery charge, Aitkenvale

  

  Townsville police investigating an incident in which a woman was threatened with a knife and her car stolen at Aitkenvale early yesterday morning (September 17) have charged a teenager with armed robbery. It will be alleged that shortly after 1.10am the woman had just returned to her vehicle- which was parked in the driveway of a Nathan Street petrol station- when she was threatened with a knife and forcibly pulled from the driver’s seat. Two male teenagers then drove off in the vehicle which w..

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• Anglers fishing for a big wet

  

  ANGLERS are hoping predicted spring rainfall could result in a fish bonanza in months to come. Cleveland Bay Seafood’s Gordon Allen (pictured) said if a La Nina system developed, Townsville could look forward to fish such as barramundi experiencing good growth in coming months.“That would allow a lot more freshwater in the estuaries,” he said.“Everything gets a bit bigger and a bit stronger earlier.”Mr Allen said good rain would bode well for growth during the barramundi closed season from Nove..

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Libs propose new NBN committee led by govt MP .	Falcons stun Blackhawks in Townsville .
Scientists discover vast reef behind Great Barrier Reef .	Guy Debelle promoted to Reserve Bank deputy governor .