A GLENROY man was charged at the weekend with the stabbing murder of a woman in Tarneit. Jason Hawkins, 37, of Glenroy was remanded to appear in the Melbourne Magistrates Court yesterday. A 40-year-old woman was found dead at a house on Friday.

Group assaulted

SIX people were the victims of an armed robbery outside Bunnings Warehouse on Pascoe Vale Road, Broadmeadows, about 1.15am on June 21. Police said the victims, in two cars, were approached by a man they believe was drug-affected. He had stepped out of a silver VT Commodore parked nearby. The man asked for money and the victims handed over their mobile phones. A fight broke out after the man assaulted some of the victims while continuing to demand money.

A second man approached with a glass bottle that he smashed over the head of one of the victims.

Police said the two attackers fled in their car as the victims ran away. But when the victims came back to their carsthere was another fight and some sustained further injuries. The attackers were believed to be of Middle Eastern appearance. One wore a white singlet and light-coloured pants and the other a black trenchcoat and jeans. Information to Crime Stoppers, 1800333000.

Punched, robbed

A 42-year-old Coolaroo man was robbed and punched in the nose at the Caltex service station toilets in Widford Street, Broadmeadows. The victim said there were four men, one armed with a knife and another with a syringe. They demanded he hand over his bag. He was kicked and punched repeatedly and his bag taken.

Budget adopted

HUME Council on Monday last week adopted the 2009-10 budget, which includes a 4per cent rate increase for residents. The council resolved to seek funding to bring forward stage two of the Craigieburn Leisure Centre redevelopment and for recycled water at DS Aitken Reserve.

Correction

AS part of the Hume Winter Music Festival coverage in last week's Hume Weekly it was wrongly stated that the True Story of Waltzing Matilda would run on July 25. It will be held on July 18. Bookings: 0425766988.