UPDATED 5.20pm: A man has now been charged in relation to the Armidale incident.
Oxley Police have charged a man after he was involved in two alleged pursuits across the state’s west yesterday, while New England police have charged a man in Armidale following a king hit attack on a man celebrating a bachelor party.
About 4.05pm (Friday 12 September 2025), officers attached to Oxley Police District were patrolling the Gunnedah area when they attempted to stop a Ford utility on Conadilly Street.
When the driver allegedly failed to stop a pursuit was initiated, continuing through the Gunnedah area before the Ford left the road and drove through bushland.
A short time later, Oxley Police located the Ford driving along Kelvin Road where a second pursuit was initiated. This second pursuit continued to Orange Grove Road before the Ford turned off onto Bulga Road. During the incident, the pursuing police vehicle attempted to navigate the turn onto Bulga Road; however, suffered a flat tyre causing the pursuit to be terminated.
Following the pursuit, police received a report a man – believed to be the driver of the Ford – was walking along Kelvin Road.
Officers attended and arrested two men – aged 29 and 22 – before taking both to Tamworth Police Station.
The 22-year-old was released shortly after without charge. The 29-year-old man was charged with police pursuit – not stop – drive at speed, and drive while licence cancelled, and was refused bail to appear before Gunnedah Local Court on Thursday 18 September 2025.
Meanwhile in Armidale overnight, an incident involving a bachelor party has resulted in one man being charged with assault and another in hospital with a fractured skull.
About 12.30am (Saturday 13 September 2025), officers from New England Police District were called to the corner of Rusden Street and Marsh Street, following reports a man allegedly punched a 34-year-old man to the head, causing him to fall to the ground unconscious.
The man then walked from the scene.
The injured man was treated at the scene by witnesses and NSW Ambulance paramedics, before he was taken to Armidale Hospital. He was later airlifted to John Hunter Hospital with a fractured skull and remains there in a stable condition.
Police attended and commenced investigations into the incident.
Following inquiries, about 11.05am today (Saturday 13 September 2025), officers arrested a 32-year-old man on Naughten Avenue, Armidale. He was taken to Armidale Police Station, where he was charged with recklessly cause grievous bodily harm.
The man was refused bail, to appear before Parramatta Bail Division Court tomorrow (Sunday 14 September 2025).
The incident happened near the St Kilda Hotel, but staff at the popular pub said the incident had nothing to do with them and they were trading as normal today.
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