Lady dies, 30-year-old man charged after alleged assault at Rutherford

A girl has died and a person has been charged after an alleged assault within the Hunter Valley.

Officers from the Hunter-Port Stephens Police District have been referred to as to a house in Rutherford, north-west of Maitland, about 4:45am on Monday.

A 20 year-old lady was handled on the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics however couldn’t be revived.

A 30-year-old man was arrested and brought to Maitland Police Station, the place he was charged with home violence homicide.

Police say the person had been in a “domestic relationship” with the girl for a couple of yr. 

No stories of home violence have been made to police previous to the alleged assault. 

The man is helping police with their inquiries.

He was refused bail to seem earlier than Bail Division Local Court 2 on Tuesday.

Neighbour Mel Baker mentioned she was shocked when she learnt what had occurred.

“I can’t believe it,” she mentioned.

“You don’t think it would happen in your neighbourhood.

“There’s a whole lot of households [in this area] … children are all the time enjoying up and down the road.”

Ms Baker mentioned it was “devastating” {that a} younger lady had misplaced her life.

‘Tragic’ state of affairs

Port Stephens-Hunter Police District Commander Superintendent Wayne Humphrey said it was a tragic situation.

“It’s tragic for everybody concerned.

“Someone’s lost their life here and we’re anticipating some charges later this afternoon,” he mentioned on Monday morning.

“[Domestic violence] is a scourge and it’s suffered across the entire state.”