A man has been charged with alleged kidnapping and domestic violence offences following an investigation by police.
Between Sunday 10 August 2025 and Sunday 24 August 2025, a 44-year-old man was allegedly held against his will by a man known to him, aged 32.
Police have been told that the man had been driven from Cessnock to a home in South Australia where the man was allegedly assaulted.
On Sunday 24 August 2025, the older man ran from the vehicle while the younger man was asleep after having parked near John Renshaw Drive at Buchanan.
Motorists stopped to assist the older man after seeing him exit bushland on the nearby Hunter Expressway.
The man was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to Maitland Hospital for treatment.
Police attached to Hunter Valley Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into the incident.
Following extensive inquiries, officers from the Hunter DV High Risk Offender Team – assisted by Hunter Utah, Hunter Valley Police District, and the Dog Unit – attended a property on Seaham Road, Holmesville, about 8.30am yesterday (Wednesday 27 August 2025).
During a search of the property, police allegedly located the 32-year-old man in long grass at the rear of the property.
He was arrested and taken to Toronto Police Station where he was charged with contravene prohibition/restriction in AVO, kidnap with intent commit serious indictable offence occasion actual bodily harm (DV), and assault occasioning actual bodily harm (DV).
He was refused bail to appear before Bail Division Court 2 today (Thursday 28 August 2025), where he was formally refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday 29 October 2025.
A vehicle allegedly used in the incident was seized at the Holmesville property and will undergo forensic analysis.
