A fugitive accused of killing two police officers is believed to have been shot dead, Australian police have said.

Dezi Freeman, 56, was on the run for seven months after allegedly killing two officers in a remote town in Victoria state.

On Monday, police said they believed he was engaged in a three-hour standoff inside a rural property northeast of Victoria.

Heavily armed tactical officers and the man who was killed at the scene are believed to have opened fire during the shootout, police said.

“While the man is yet to be formally identified, police believe it is likely to be 56-year-old Porepunkah man Desmond Freeman,” Victoria Police said in a statement.

Freeman, previously known as Desmond Filby, was shot dead at around 8.30am, local media widely reported.

He had been inside a shelter like a shipping container, according to police.

Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush declined to formally confirm the identity ​of the dead man, pending official identification, but said the shooting was justified.

Chief Commissioner Bush added that no police officers were injured ⁠during the incident.

He told reporters during a press conference: “Everything I know at this point tells me that ​this shooting was justified.

“There was an opportunity for him to surrender peacefully, which he did not…we’re working ‌through the sequence of that.

“We strongly believe, yet to be confirmed, that he was armed.”

He added: “This was all about bringing this to a conclusion as safely as possible. Our ultimate goal was to arrest the person there…as peacefully as possible.”

More than 450 police officers had been involved in ‌the hunt for Freeman since August, when he allegedly opened fire on a team of 10 police officers.

The officers had arrived at a property in Porepunkah, about 300 km (186 miles) northeast of Melbourne, to execute a search warrant.

A $1m (£520,000) reward had been offered for information leading to his ​capture.

Believed to have expert bushcraft survival skills and multiple powerful ​firearms, Freeman fled into bushland at Mount Buffalo National Park following ​the shooting.

Local media described him as a “sovereign citizen”, a ⁠term used for individuals who regard the government as illegitimate.

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A spokesperson for Victoria police added: “The shooting occurred at the property shortly after 8.30am following a stand-off of several hours with police, including members of the Special Operations Group and detectives from Taskforce Summit.

“Police rendered assistance, however the man died at the scene. No one else was present at the property and no police were physically injured during the incident.

“The exact circumstances surrounding the incident are yet to be determined, however it’s understood a number of police discharged their firearms.

“Police also believe Freeman was armed and further investigation will take place to determine if he discharged a firearm.”

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said vape shop owners had a duty to ensure safety arrangements are in place and maintained in their premises.

The service has also called for vapes to be disposed of at dedicated drop-off points and not in household waste or recycling bins to avoid fires in lorries and at tips.

It follows a fire in Union Street in Glasgow on Sunday, March 8 which destroyed a Victorian building and led to the city’s rail station closing.

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Glasgow Central reopened for the first time since the fire on Wednesday, March 25.

The fire began in a vape shop though an investigation into the exact cause remains ongoing.

More than 200 firefighters were involved in the response to the fire which gutted several businesses while nearby hotels were evacuated and roads were closed.

Shops do not currently need a licence to sell vapes of e-cigarettes.

But this could change if the Tobacco and Vapes Bill currently making its way through Parliament becomes law.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said the Fire Service Regulation Order 2005 placed a duty on responsible persons at businesses to ensure their premises are safe.

It added they always looked at the best ways to support businesses to operate safely and they would follow the outcome of the investigation into the cause of the Glasgow fire.

More than 200 firefighters responded to the blaze in Glasgow on Sunday, March 8 (Image: The Herald)

The service said: “Following the devastating fire Glasgow, we want to remind businesses of the guidance we can provide and the steps you can take to operate safely.

“We have a team of fire safety professionals who can provide guidance relating to fire safety in buildings.

“Our Protection and Risk team also conduct fire safety audits, address fire safety concerns and when required enforce fire safety law.

“We are committed to keeping the public safe, if you have questions or feel something is not right about a fire safety issue please contact us.”

The service has also called on people to dispose of vapes at drop-off points which are now in most supermarkets and council sites.

More than 6m vapes or pods are thrown in bins instead of being recycled every week, according to the Recycle Your Electricals campaign.

The group said they can cause dangerous fires when crushed in bin lorries or at recycling centres.

They added fires caused by batteries in vapes and other electricals can endanger lives and cause serious environmental and health risks.

Safety advice and legal information for businesses is available from North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service here: https://www.northyorksfire.gov.uk/business-safety/fire-safety-act-and-fire-safety-regulations/

The latest rugby news from Wales and around the world

These are your latest rugby headlines on Monday, March 29.

Etzebeth to return

South Africa legend Eben Etzebeth is set to return to action after completing his suspension for eye-gouging Wales back rower Alex Mann in the autumn.

The veteran lock was at the centre of a scuffle that broke out in the closing moments of the Springboks’ 73-0 demolition of Steve Tandy’s side at the Principality Stadium in November, and was caught on camera making contact with Mann’s eye with his thumb.

His actions were widely slammed as “disgraceful” and after appearing before a disciplinary panel, he was slapped with a 12-week ban from rugby.

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Etzebeth has not missed any Springboks games as a result of his suspension, instead missing the past three months of the season for club side Sharks. However, his side’s win over Cardiff in Durban on Saturday was the 12th and final game of his ban and he is now free to return and feature for the Sharks in their Challenge Cup clash with Connacht this weekend.

The 34-year-old’s comeback is set to give the South African URC outfit a huge boost following a recent injury crisis that has seen 18 players sidelined, with Springbok stars Aphelele Fassi, Bongi Mbonambi, Grant Williams and Siya Kolisi among the players not considered for selection against Cardiff due to injury.

While Etzebeth was temporarily deregistered as a player by the Sharks during his suspension, he took on a temporary coaching role with the club’s juniors as well as some senior players.

After being banned, he took to social media to apologise for his actions, but stressed that they were “never intentional” and claimed that an initial strike from Mann had sparked his reaction.

“I accept guilt,” he wrote. “I made a mistake and I’m willing to serve a suspension which I deserve. I don’t want young kids who look up to the Springboks to think that it’s OK to eye gouge someone, because it’s not… unfortunately mistakes happen and I made a big one.

“The scuffle was basically over when Wales’ No.7 struck me with an open hand to my chin/neck. You can see me looking at the assistant referee and waiting for a reaction… then I got another pull on my jersey before I went in with a similar type of action.”

“It was never intentional,” Etzebeth added. “I would never do something like this on purpose — I know what the consequences are after playing rugby for a few years.

“I’m sorry for letting you and the game down. To the people that were angry and upset with my actions, I understand — because it didn’t look good on the slow-motion replay. Hopefully you’ve got a bit more context now.”

New Wales star has ‘real bright future’

Bath Rugby boss Johann van Graan heaped praise on new Wales international Louis Hennessey after the versatile back marked his 22nd birthday with a try against Sale Sharks.

Hennessey was handed his fourth start of the PREM Rugby season and crossed the whitewash for the opening try of the second half as his side saw off Sale with a 31-26 win at the CorpAcq Stadium.

It was also his first start since winning his first cap for Wales, after being called into Steve Tandy’s squad for the Six Nations and making his debut from the bench against Ireland in the fourth round of the championship.

He has been hailed to go from strength to strength for club and country and, ahead of kick-off, van Graan was effusive in his praise of the Welshman who he believes has “a real bright future”.

“Firstly, it’s his birthday today, he’s 22 years old today,” the Bath boss told TNT Sports. “He’s made massive strides be it on the wing or in the centre.

“It’s great that he will be involved in the 23 today and every time he has got a start, he’s used it.The previous time was against Gloucester on the wing and before that it was Leicester in the centre.

“So, yeah, there’s a real bright future for Louis,” he added. “He’s been here since I came in three-and-a-half years ago and I’m so glad for him.”

An entertaining clash saw Sale score four tries through Tom O’Flaherty, Rob du Preez, Luke Cowan-Dickie and Tom Roebuck, with George Ford claiming three conversions.

But an under-strength Bath side ran in five tries from Dan Frost, Hennessey, Ethan Staddon, Bernard van der Linde and Alfie Barbeary to edge the win, with Santi Carreras converting three of them.

Wallabies giant suffers devastating injury blow

Australia lock Will Skelton has suffered a suspected ruptured Achilles, according to reports in France.

The Wallabies star left the field in the first half of his La Rochelle side’s Top 14 defeat to Bayonne on Saturday and later shared a photo on his Instagram account of his right foot in a moon boot, with the caption “C’est la vie” (“That’s life”).

It comes days after Skelton made his return to action for his club following a calf injury, having also struggled with an ankle problem earlier in the season.

After the match, La Rochelle assistant coach Remi Tales said: “There’s a suspected Achilles tendon rupture.

“It’s tough for a player like him, given the effort he’s put in to come back after his calf injury. We’re all thinking of him and hope he recovers quickly, because we need him.”

If Skelton’s Achilles has been fully ruptured, he could spend up to six months on the sidelines and miss the Wallabies’ clashes with Ireland, France and Italy when the inaugural Nations Championship kicks off in July.

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Bid writing specialist Thornton & Lowe has revamped its Tender Library platform by introducing AI-powered search and generative drafting tools, thanks to support from a £20,000 innovation grant from GM Business Growth Hub’s Innovation Service.

It is a move expected to cut delivery times by 15 per cent, save 525 working days annually, and generate more than £300,000 in additional annual income.

Dave Thornton, founder and chief executive of Thornton & Lowe, said: “With the latest in AI search and content technology, we are helping clients respond faster, write better and stay firmly in control.

“There is nothing like this on the market and we are incredibly grateful to GM Business Growth Hub for helping us move forward at pace.”

Dave Thornton, Founder and CEO of Thornton & Lowe. (Image: Supplied)

The software overhaul is the latest step in a long-term collaboration with the Growth Hub, which has provided the company with more than a decade of innovation advice, commercialisation expertise, workforce development support, and grant funding.

The upgraded Tender Library features AI-powered search functions, improved data analysis, generative drafting capabilities, and enhanced data protection.

Thornton & Lowe adopted the upgraded AI-driven platform in March 2025 and has since reported significant gains in capacity.

The company has also grown its team by 27 employees and has begun offering the enhanced Tender Library as a commercial product to clients.

It has also invested in high-powered capital equipment to support the new system.

Yvonne Grady, head of innovation at the GM Business Growth Hub, said: “Thornton & Lowe is a powerful example of how long-term partnership and a commitment to innovation can support a company’s growth over many years.

“Their decision to strengthen Tender Library with AI and enhanced data protection shows clear leadership in a rapidly changing market.

“Having worked with the team since their early development, it is inspiring to see how they continue to evolve their offer and embrace new opportunities.

“This latest project demonstrates how targeted innovation support can unlock capacity, improve competitiveness and create new commercial pathways.

“We are proud to have supported their journey.”

The Victoria police shot dead a man who had been on the run after killing two officers last August, bringing to an end one of their largest searches.

Police said the identity of the man killed in the operation was yet to be formally confirmed but he was most likely to be Dezi Freeman, 56, of Porepunkah.

The fugitive was shot dead at a rural property in northeastern Victoria.

Freeman, whose real name was Desmond Filby, had been on the run since he fatally shot two senior police officers, Neal Thompson and Vadim de Waart-Hottart, last August. A third officer was seriously injured in the shootout that occurred on his property in the small Victorian town of Porepunkah.

Freeman described himself as a “sovereign citizen” who rejected government and law. He lived with his family on a bus on a 20-hectare plot on the outskirts of Porepunkah.

Victoria police chief commissioner Mike Bush said “everything I know at this point tells me that this shooting was justified”. “Should it be confirmed that the deceased is Freeman, this brings closure to what was a tragic and terrible event,” he said.

The standoff began at 5.30am when police officers surrounded a building similar to a shipping container where the fugitive was believed to be hiding.

“There was an opportunity for him to surrender peacefully, which he declined,” Mr Bush claimed.

Police said Freeman was armed and wrapped in a blanket when police began the operation on Monday morning.

Anonymous police sources told The Age that they were tipped off about his location near a small township on the banks of the Murray river last week. Police had been surveilling the property for days before starting the operation that led to his death.

Police officers were executing a search warrant in connection with an investigation into sex offences last August when they were shot by Freeman.

Police quickly shut down the area and launched a manhunt in a landscape dominated by steep and rocky terrain with caves and mineshafts but Freeman’s bush skills made it challenging to trace him down.

John Bird, a close friend of one of the slain officers, said he felt relief after learning about Freeman’s death.

“It’s a good day,” he said. “It’s just a relief. Like I said, it doesn’t change anything much but it’s closure on that side of things.”

A spokesperson for Police Association Victoria said: “It does not lessen the trauma, give back the futures that were callously stolen or lessen the collective fear and grief that this tragic event has instilled in police and the wider public. Closure isn’t the right word. This represents a step forward for our members, for the families of our fallen members and for the community,.”

The association will formally address the media in the afternoon on Monday.

Freeman was born Desmond Christopher Filby but renamed himself Dezi Freeman to symbolise his belief in personal sovereignty.

The father of two was known by locals to be a kind and polite person but seemingly changed during the Covid pandemic, becoming outspoken about his deep distrust for the government’s restrictions and lockdowns.

He repeatedly called police officers “frigging Nazis”, “Gestapo”, and “terrorist thugs”. Freeman once told a court that he was a disability pensioner and claimed he had been persecuted by the state.

Construction began in August 2021 and was completed in 2025. However, that shouldn’t imply that the project went entirely without a hitch.

“We were on the bubble for relegation more than once. We had a change of ownership and we had a war with Russia and Ukraine that affected the club,” said Meis.

The Toffees finished four points above the relegation zone in 2021-22 and just two points clear of the drop zone the following season.

Everton also cut ties with Russian sponsors in 2022 following the invasion of Ukraine and the Friedkin Group took over the club in November 2024.

Nick Tyrer was lead designer for architecture and engineering firm BDP Pattern on the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

“I work on sports stadia around the world,” he told BBC Sport.

“The joy, but equally the challenge of them, is that they are such landmark projects that are driven by politics, by the industry, by what’s going on in the world.”

He explained the design and build contract had been signed by the time Everton were facing potential relegation.

“On social media though, there was a lot of talk about how it would be the best stadium in the Championship,” added Tyrer.

“That’s a professional concern – you spend six or seven years of your life working on a stadium and it may open in a lower league.”

That apprehension will sound familiar to fans of relegation-battling Tottenham Hotspur, who face the prospect of their club playing in the Championship next season in a 62,000-seater stadium that only opened in 2019.

Meis also explained some of the technical challenges involved in building on disused industrial docklands.

“Once the builders got down to the floor of the dock they found unexploded ordnance from WWII,” he said. “They found a dolphin at one point and had to shut everything down.”

The designer now has a tattoo that reads 1878 – the year Everton was founded.

He attended the first home match against Brighton, which David Moyes’ side won 2-0, with Iliman Ndiaye and James Garner on target.

“I still get emotional talking about it. I had grown men with tears in their eyes hugging me, telling me how important this was to them,” added Meis.

“One of the most impactful things that happened to me on that first day was that I was walking from one of the club areas to the stadium and one of the female stewards opened the door for me. As I walked through, I heard her say to someone else, ‘he really listened to us’. I thought, ‘how great is that?’

“I didn’t do something for my ego – it was a realisation of tens of thousands of people’s hopes.”

From a more accessible bank in Durham city centre to a new dog training field in Gainford, here are five applications decided in and around County Durham between March 23 and 27.

More accessible access approved for Durham bank

Plans to improve access at the NatWest Bank in Durham’s Market Place have been granted approval. The proposals include removing threshold steps and installing a platform lift to make the entrance more accessible for wheelchair users and people with mobility difficulties. A section of the internal floor will also be lowered as part of the work. The council signed off on the application on March 23, paving the way for a more inclusive entrance in the heart of the city.

New detached home approved in Spennymoor

A new detached home in Spennymoor has been given the go‑ahead. The property is set to be built at 21 Bryan Street and includes measures to deliver biodiversity net gain, helping to offset its impact on the local environment. The approval adds to recent housing growth in the town as developers look to meet demand for new homes in the area.

Historic brick kiln demolition refused – despite being flattened

Plans to formally demolish a historic brick kiln at Kepier Farm in Gilesgate have been rejected by Durham County Council, even though the structure has already been flattened. The Kepier Brick Kiln, close to Durham City, was reduced to rubble in July 2025, sparking strong criticism from local politicians and heritage campaigners. The council’s refusal on March 25 keeps the site’s legal status under scrutiny, amid calls for stronger protection of local industrial heritage.

New dog training field approved near Gainford

Land north of Stobb Hill in Gainford is set to be turned into a dog walking and training field following approval from the council. The scheme includes a new hardstanding area for vehicles, boundary treatments and a timber shelter for owners. The decision, granted on March 24, will give local dog‑walkers a dedicated space for training and exercise in the countryside setting around Gainford.

New housing scheme approved in Bishop Auckland

A small housing scheme in Bishop Auckland has been given the green light. Four new homes are planned for a site near Etherley Lane Depot, with approval granted on March 23 subject to biodiversity net gain conditions. The development is part of ongoing efforts to expand housing stock in the town while ensuring local ecosystems are considered during the build.

Situated down by the River Lagan, opposite the Harbour Commissioners Office, it may be a little out of the way of the heart of Belfast’s bar and restaurant scene, but don’t let that put you off

There was once a time when getting out for a meal in Belfast was a weekly occurrence for us and we would be quick to try the latest foodie spot.

But fast forward two children later and family life, as well as the crippling cost of living, means getting out for a meal together happens rarely.

So when it comes to picking a spot to try, we are fussy. You don’t want to waste your one night out on somewhere that won’t deliver.

Gnostic had been on our radar for a long time, coming highly recommended by family and friends. So when the opportunity arose to get out for the night, we decided it was time to give it a try.

Located down by the River Lagan, opposite the Harbour Commissioners Office, it is a little out of the way of our usual haunts in the city centre, but unlike many restaurants in Belfast, it opens on a Sunday night. This just so happened to be our night of freedom. The stars had aligned and it was time to tick this spot off our list.

What we ordered:

There was so much on the menu we wanted to sample, it was difficult to come to an agreement. It is divided up into meat, fish, veggie, slider and taco setions, with three choices in each. Due to the size of the portions, which aren’t exactly small, the waiter advised we get three plates and a side dish.

After much deliberation, we decided to go for the Crispy Pork Wonton, which came with a honey, soy, ginger dipping sauce (£15), the Curried Cauliflower, which came with onion bhaji, cauliflower puree and chimichurri (£14), Katsu chicken sliders (£12.50), and the BBQ pulled pork taco (£12.50).

We had planned to try the corn ribs side dish, which sounded amazing as it came with honey soy ginger, but they had sold out. It just gives us an excuse to return in the future.

What we liked:

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The food definitely packs a punch flavour wise, which is exactly what I expected after hearing so many great things about this spot. I was surprised by the size of the plates. Our waiter had said they weren’t small but it was definitely a generous portion for the price, so what we ordered was more than enough. The honey, soy, ginger sauce with the pork wontons was delicious and I wasn’t wasting a drop of it.

I also loved our katsu chicken sliders, the Asian slaw that came with it was the perfect addition and again the size of the slider was very generous and we got one each.

What I would change:

It is a lovely, cosy and intimate spot, which was great, but at times I did think it was slightly too dark inside. It sounds like a silly thing to pick up on but as they say, you do eat with your eyes. Also, the presentation for the tacos could have been better. It didn’t have the same restaurant quality look as the other dishes, but they were delicious. I couldn’t fault the taste at all.

Apart from that, the food quality was great, the cocktails were delicious and we had a great time and would certainly return. I will say we were sat downstairs in the bar type setting, and perhaps the upstairs dining area is a different experience. It was definitely a more casual and relaxed dining experience, which we did enjoy.

How much it cost:

In total, our bill came to £105.16, which included a 10% service charge, and included our food and four cocktails. In total for the four dishes we tried, it was £54, which for a meal out for two I think it pretty standard. The size of the portions was generous as well, so I don’t begrudge paying that price per dish. Our cocktails were roughly £10 each, which again is pretty average for a night out in Belfast now. Overall, I think the price was spot on for the quality of the food, portion size and alcohol we purchased. We were also given a free shot at the end of the night, which was a nice touch.

I’m so glad we finally got to try this little gem. It’s been on our list of places to visit for a long time after hearing so many great things, now we can add our own experience to that list. The menu is so varied that we could return again and have an entirely different meal. I’m already visualising what I would pick on our next trip.

It may be a little out of the way of Belfast’s more central foodie areas, but I think it’s definitely worth the dander. Also if you don’t usually have an excuse to be in that area, then you can enjoy a walk through City Quays Gardens, which opened almost a year ago.

So if you are looking for somewhere new to try in the city, I highly recommend giving Gnostic a try.

In the interest of fairness and transparency, we pay for all the meals and drinks we review. This ensures that we are giving accurate and honest representations of the food and service that we receive. So, unless we state otherwise that we were invited down, we have paid for the meal ourselves and visited without the knowledge of the eatery, so you can trust our opinions aren’t skewed by a freebie.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

A report has highlighted multiple failings by a police force after a man was left with broken teeth and permanent scarring after a hit and run. Jamie Titmarsh, 27, was struck by a speeding car on Regent Street in Cambridge at around 7pm on June 14, 2025.

Jamie was “knocked out” and “dragged across the road”, before being rushed to hospital. He suffered broken teeth, a badly swollen lip, and bruising to his face. Cambridgeshire Police has apologised for ‘shortcomings’ in the force’s response.

Jamie is now left with permanent scarring and has composite teeth bonding, with his front teeth set to be replaced in the future. “It’s quite scary crossing the road – it’s something you have to do everyday but now, I am extremely cautious,” said Jamie.

After the crash was reported to Cambridgeshire Police, Jamie had concerns with the way it was investigated. Jamie previously told CambridgeshireLive he felt he was “going around in circles” during the police investigation.

He said: “The communication throughout [the investigation] had been horrendous, and they didn’t speak to me. I felt that I have not been treated fairly as a victim, and that the handling of this case demonstrates a concerning lack of accountability and standard of care.”

Jamie complained about the way the force investigated his hit and run crash. An investigation was carried out by the Police Professional Standards, which highlighted “multiple failings” by the police during the investigation.

Jamie made four allegations. These were:

• Jamie didn’t receive a “good level of service”, such as police “failing to attend the scene of the incident“. He also alleged the severity of the incident wasn’t acknowledged and that the force didn’t review the evidence “thoroughly enough”.
• The police failed to “fully investigate the incident which resulted in no prosecution taking place and evidence wasn’t adequately organised”.
• Due to officers failing to attend the incident scene, it wasn’t “correctly assessed and treated as seriously as it should have been“.
• The police had “poor communication” with Jamie and there was a “lack of victim care”.

All four allegations were upheld and the service level was considered “not of an acceptable standard”. Some failings highlighted in the report were that police failed to attend the scene, despite it being reported as a serious injury.

It also flagged that there were missed time windows with CCTV, delays in filing a road traffic collision report, a decision not to seize the suspect’s vehicle, and poor communication with Jamie. Jamie said he found it “absolutely ridiculous” that the police can “get away with it”.

He added: “I have never needed the police before and the one time I did, they have done nothing. I have been left out of pocket. I am left here with no compensation, and they don’t care. I have future costs from the dentist as I’m going to have my teeth replaced at the front. I’m also worrying for other people. I am just one person, but it might happen again.”

A Cambridgeshire Police spokesperson said: “We apologise to Mr Titmarsh for the shortcomings in our response, which fell below the standards we expect of ourselves and that the public rightly deserve.

“Following the concerns raised, we have fully reviewed the issues through our Professional Standards Department. The points identified have now been acted upon, and steps have been put in place to ensure these errors are not repeated in the future.”