标签： Oceania

A 33-year-old man, Ioan Pintaru, who stabbed an 11-year-old Australian girl in a random knife attack in London’s West End last summer, will not face trial for attempted murder, a court has ruled. Pintaru, a Romanian national with no fixed address, had previously pleaded guilty to wounding the girl with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and possession of a knife. However, he denied the charge of attempted murder, which was set to be tried at the Old Bailey. During a brief hearing on Tuesday, Judge Richard Marks KC announced that the prosecution would not proceed with the attempted murder charge, and sentencing is now scheduled for December 16. The victim, who was on holiday with her mother at the time of the attack, sustained multiple injuries to her face, shoulder, wrist, and neck. Pintaru, currently held in a high-security hospital in Liverpool, was not required to attend the hearing. The victim’s family, based in Australia, will be able to join the sentencing hearing via video link. No explanation was provided in court for the decision to drop the trial. The attack occurred on August 12, 2024, when Pintaru allegedly approached the girl outside a Lego store, placed her in a headlock, and stabbed her eight times. Bystanders intervened, disarmed the attacker, and held him until police arrived. Forensic officers later combed the scene for evidence. The case has drawn attention to the issue of random violence in London, though further details on the prosecution’s decision remain undisclosed.

Steven van de Velde, a Dutch Olympic volleyball player convicted of raping a 12-year-old British girl in 2014, has been denied a visa to compete in Australia. The 31-year-old athlete was scheduled to participate in the Beach Volleyball World Championships in Adelaide next month. However, South Australia’s Attorney-General Kyam Maher urged the federal government to reject his visa, describing his crimes as ‘utterly abhorrent’ and emphasizing that foreign child sex offenders should not be allowed entry into the country. Australia’s Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke affirmed the government’s commitment to using all available tools to ensure community safety. Van de Velde, who pleaded guilty to three counts of rape in 2016, served 12 months of a four-year sentence before resuming his professional career in 2018. Despite representing the Netherlands at the Paris Olympics last year, he faced public backlash, including boos from the crowd and an online petition with 90,000 signatures demanding his exclusion from the event. The BBC has reached out to the event organizers and the Dutch volleyball association for comments.

A devastating underground explosion at the Endeavor mine in Cobar, western New South Wales, has resulted in the tragic deaths of two individuals. The incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, prompting an urgent response from emergency services. Located approximately 700 kilometers northwest of Sydney, the mine became the site of a harrowing rescue operation. One man was pronounced dead at the scene, while two women were brought to the surface. Tragically, one of the women succumbed to her injuries, and the other was airlifted to a hospital, suffering from hearing damage and shock. Authorities have announced that a comprehensive report will be prepared for the coroner, and the state’s workplace safety authority will conduct a thorough investigation into the incident. Cobar Mayor Jarrod Marsden described the situation as ‘absolutely tragic,’ emphasizing the profound impact on the tight-knit mining community. ‘The most valuable thing to come out of a mine are the miners, and two families don’t get to see their loved ones anymore,’ he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). The Endeavor mine, which has been operational since 1982, was acquired by Polymetals Resources in 2023. The company had recently been in the process of restarting mining activities focused on silver, zinc, and lead production. The mine features a 7-kilometer decline and a 300-meter shaft, according to its website.

In a groundbreaking move, four Australian servicewomen have initiated a class action lawsuit against the Australian Defence Force (ADF), accusing it of systemic sexual abuse, harassment, and discrimination. The lawsuit, filed in the Federal Court on Friday, is expected to attract thousands of women who have served between November 12, 2003, and May 25, 2025. The plaintiffs, whose identities remain confidential for legal reasons, have detailed harrowing experiences, including being forcibly groped, waking up naked and bruised after social events, and enduring hostile, sexist remarks and unsolicited explicit content. One plaintiff, an air force member, recounted being told by her sergeant that women should not earn as much as men because they are ‘not as strong.’ Another, a navy recruit, described enduring lewd comments and unwanted physical advances, including being kissed against her will while on duty abroad. The lawsuit follows a major report last year that revealed approximately 800 sexual assault cases were reported within the ADF between 2019 and 2024, with an estimated 60% under-reporting rate. The report highlighted that sexual misconduct remains a pervasive issue, with female personnel often fearing sexual violence more than the dangers of war. Lawyers representing the plaintiffs, including Josh Aylward from JGA Saddler, emphasized that these women enlisted to serve their country, not to fend off harassment from their colleagues. The ADF has acknowledged the need for improvement, stating that all personnel deserve respect and a positive workplace experience. The case underscores the urgent need for systemic reform within the military to address sexual misconduct and ensure a safe environment for all service members.