Father of six-year-old Charlie jailed for five years for stabbing mum in front of her

The father of a girl who died from alleged criminal neglect was jailed after stabbing her mother in front of her – but Child Protection did not step in.

Government agencies were aware that a young girl who died from suspected malnourishment was exposed to domestic violence and drug abuse as early as January 2021, court documents reveal.

The young girl, who was the victim of alleged criminal neglect, witnessed her “drug-fuelled” father, John, stab her mother multiple times in front of their northern suburbs home.

But despite the seriousness of the case, which was initially charged as attempted murder, and a history of domestic violence and drug use, the young girl was not removed from harm’s way.

John pleaded guilty to causing harm with intent and during sentencing submissions in February this year, the court heard he had been a habitual methylamphetamine user for many years.

Sometime before January 2021 he had kicked the drug habit but had fallen off the wagon on the night he attacked his partner of 18 years.

Charlie’s father John. Picture: Facebook

The fight started inside the house but ended in the front yard, where the girl’s father stabbed her mother several times, including to the base of the neck.

He only stopped because the knife he was using broke and a person walking past intervened.

Despite the witness holding him back, he twice lunged at the bleeding woman.

“It (the attack) occurred in front of the house and was witnessed by at least one civilian, who had to pull the defendant away from the victim not once, but twice,” a prosecutor told the District Court.

“Had he not been pulled away there can be no doubt far more serious consequences could have flowed.”

The prosecutor told the court that despite the stabbing, the mother – who is now being investigated for the criminal neglect of her child – wished to return to her partner.

Charlie died from suspected malnourishment.

“I think it would be fair to say the victim is probably lacking in insight into the preservation of her own safety,” the prosecutor said.

“I can tell you that the Department of Child Protection has an interest in this matter and certainly should the defendant return to that home, I would anticipate the department would get involved again.”

In 2017, John was sentenced for aggravated assault for slapping the same victim to the face.

“We clearly have a significant escalation with this offending,” his lawyer said.

“It is obvious that escalation lies at the feet of the methylamphetamine use.”

In March this year, John was sentenced to five years and six months imprisonment with a non-parole period of three years and six months.