Charges against a man accused of stalking a former Latrobe City councillor were withdrawn by Victoria Police after his defence yesterday argued there was insufficient evidence to proceed with the hearing.
Jack Azlin, 27, was charged with one count of stalking Christine Sindt by publishing statements on the internet which purported to originate from Ms Sindt with the intention of causing physical and mental harm to the former Central Ward councillor, including self harm, or of arousing apprehension or fear for the victim’s own safety or the safety of another person.
The second charge pertained to Mr Azlin allegedly using a carriage service in a manner “which a reasonable person would regard as being harassing” towards Ms Sindt, court documents detailed.
The charges related to matters which took place between July 1, 2015 and July 5, 2016.
The defence argued there was insufficient evidence to proceed with the contested hearing and requested an order of cost against Victoria Police.
Magistrate Rod Higgins ruled in favour of the defence’s request and awarded $2000 to Mr Azlin to be paid by August 15, 2018.
Ms Sindt was absent from the courtroom during the hearing.
Mum, children injured
A mother and her three children have been taken to hospital after their ute collided with a power pole on Vary Street, Morwell on Tuesday.
Police are yet to determine the cause of the accident which left three primary school-aged children with minor facial trauma.
The driver of the vehicle, a 33-year-old Morwell woman, and her children aged nine, eight and five were taken to Latrobe Regional Hospital for observation.
An Ambulance Victoria spokeswoman said the children would be taken to the Royal Children’s Hospital for ongoing medical treatment.
Witnesses sought for bus assault
Police are investigating an assault which involved two men on a Morwell bus.
The incident between the two men, who police said were not known to each other, took place on Tuesday, May 1 on the number 21 Crinigan Road bus.
Police want to speak to anyone who was travelling on the bus near Church Street and witnessed the incident.
For more information, phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or Leading Senior Constable Justin Stewart at Morwell Police Station on 5131 5000.
Shooting charges
Two men have been charged following a shooting in Morwell earlier this year.
Detectives from the Armed Crime Squad extradited a 30-year-old man from Broome in April and arrested a 37-year-old Hastings man earlier this month.
Both were charged with intentionally causing serious injury and aggravated home invasion and have been remanded to appear at Latrobe Magistrates Court at a later date.
Three other people have already been charged in relation to the shooting at a residential property on Avondale Road on 23 February where a 32-year-old Morwell man sustained a gunshot wound to his leg.
A 36-year-old Frankston North man, 28-year-old Capel Sound man and 30-year-old woman from Churchill were all charged with intentionally causing serious injury, aggravated home invasion with a firearm and armed robbery.
Both men were also charged with drug offences and remanded in custody and, along with the woman, were remanded in custody to face court on May 31.
