Kidnapping charges laid against 25-year-old following man’s death in Newcastle

A man has been charged with kidnapping as police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of a man in Newcastle last week.

Police were called to a property on Donald Street in Hamilton on Friday morning following reports from concerned neighbours that two men were fighting in the street.

When officers arrived, they could not locate the men, and a short time later were called to a nearby home unit on Cody Street in Hamilton South.

There they found the body of a 51-year-old man and a 23-year-old man who was unconscious with head injuries.

On Friday, Newcastle police commander Superintendent Brett Greentree said police were investigating and that it appeared the deceased suffered stab wounds.

“There was an argument of sorts and it’s very much in its infancy and we hope to get to the bottom of it sooner rather than later,” he said.

A 25-year-old man, who was also present in the home unit, was arrested but later released by detectives.

Following extensive investigations, that same 25-year-old man was charged with aggravated taking and/or detaining a person  with the intention to obtain advantage.

He was refused bail and is due to appear at Newcastle Local Court today.

The injured 23-year-old man who was found unconscious remains in John Hunter Hospital in a serious but stable condition.

Officers from Strike Force Delline say inquiries into the morning’s events are continuing.