Karanveer Singh: Southport screwdriver stabber sentenced for assault

A former chef who stabbed a man in the back with a screwdriver has been sentenced, while warrants are out for his two co-accused. Read what happened here.

Karanveer Singh has been sentenced after stabbing a man in Southport with a screwdriver. Picture: 9 Gold Coast News.

A man who stabbed a 27-year-old with a screwdriver and was part of a group’s assault on a family in Southport has been sentenced.

Karanveer Singh, 36, who appeared from custody in the Southport District Court on Tuesday, pleaded guilty to one count of unlawfully wound another and two counts of assaults occasioning bodily harm while armed and in company.

The court heard Singh, and co-accused Maninder Singh Aujla and Troy Clothier drove with a screwdriver and a flail mace to a Southport house around 9pm on August 24.

Aujla had been evicted and moved out from the house earlier that day.

Both Clothier and Aujla are still before the Magistrates Court with warrants issued for their arrests, the court heard.

The court heard when the trio arrived at the house, Singh initially got out of the car but returned to the vehicle.

The 27-year-old man, who lived at the house with his parents, allegedly saw Aujla in the house, and attempted to remove him.

The court heard the man’s 65-year-old father helped escort Aujla out, and the landlord was called.

Once outside, a verbal argument started.

Police at the scene of the stabbing in Southport. Picture: 9 Gold Coast News.

The court heard Clothier allegedly told the man he would knock him out and began punching and kicking him.

Singh armed himself with the screwdriver, and stabbed the younger man in the back while he was fighting with the Clothier, the court heard.

The court heard the fight continued on the street before Clothier allegedly retrieved the flail mace from the car, striking the 27-year-old twice in the chest and left arm.

The man and his father started to retreat while the group continued to advance, the court heard, with Singh throwing an object.

When the landlord arrived, the group drove away in the car.

The 27-year-old was taken to hospital with bruising and abrasions to his left arm and chest, as well as a four centimetre laceration to his liver and perforated lung causing blood and air in the chest cavity due to the stabbing.

He received a blood transfusion, was admitted to intensive care, and released the next day.

His father, who received bruising and cuts to his forehead and chest, required stitches.

Police found Singh at a Surfer’s Paradise hotel on August 24, 2024.

One of the co-accused, Maninder Singh Aujla, still has matters before the court. Picture: 7News Gold Coast

The court heard Singh was on probation and bail at the time of the offence and he has been held in custody on remand.

Earlier this year, he received a four-month sentence with immediate parole in the Magistrates Court for other offences but has remained in custody on remand for the assault.

Singh’s lawyer Halley Robertson noted her client’s circumstances and history.

She said both Singh and the community would benefit from him being under the strict supervision of parole, if he is able to stay in Australia.

Singh, an Indian citizen, came to Australia when he was 18 years old and is a permanent resident on a visa.

It is unknown if Singh will be deported; the court heard he has not been contacted about his visa status.

The court heard he previously worked as a chef but in 2019 lost his accommodation and started offending when he was 30 years old.

Singh is diagnosed with anxiety and depression and has self medicated in the past with illicit substances.

The court heard that upon release he plans to engage with his general practitioner for a mental health care plan and abstain from illicit substance use.

Judge Deborah Holliday KC said there were mitigating factors, including the time served and the prospect of deportation hanging over Singh’s head.

He received a two-year sentence with immediate release on parole

The 297 days in pre-sentence custody was counted as time served.

A conviction was recorded.

Originally published as Karanveer Singh: Southport screwdriver stabber sentenced for assault