Knife incident at Horseshoe Beach

On August 12, 2026, two members of the Cooks Hill Surf Life Saving Club were allegedly threatened with a knife at Horseshoe Beach in Newcastle. The victims, identified as paddle skiers Mat Egan and Mark Breasley, reported that the individual yelled threats, including “I will f---ing stab you,” forcing them to retreat into the water.

Police arrested a man, identified as Redman, at a nearby tent after finding him in possession of a knife. He was found to have an outstanding warrant and faced multiple charges, including stalking or intimidation, custody of a knife in a public place, and being armed with intent to commit an indictable offence. Court documents noted a history of antisocial behavior, including an incident involving a sharpened tent peg and a prior confrontation at the Queens Wharf Hotel.

In response to the incident, the Cooks Hill SLSC and the victims have called for increased policing, a safety assessment of the precinct, and improved management of unauthorized camping to ensure community safety.