Teen on trial over Lachie Andrews’ death at KFC Casino

A second teen who was stabbed in a wild brawl at a northern NSW KFC which ultimately left another teen dead has become emotional as he recounted the horrific day in court.

Lachlan Andrews died when he was stabbed in the throat at KFC Casino in May 2022. A teen is now on trial for his alleged murder.

A teen who was stabbed in the back before his friend was killed in a brutal brawl at a northern NSW KFC became overwhelmed as he recounted the horrific events in court.

Harrison Hone was 18 when he was stabbed in the back and suffered a collapsed lung after attempting to break up a wild melee at KFC Casino on May 29, 2022.

His friend of a few short months, 17-year-old Lachie Andrews, was tragically killed after he was subsequently stabbed in the throat.

A teen who cannot be identified is defending charges of murder and wounding with intent in the NSW Supreme Court on the basis he was acting in self defence and was also substantially impaired due to a foetal alcohol spectrum disorder diagnosis.

The court has previously heard tensions had been escalating between Lachie and the accused teen in the days leading up to the tragic incident.

“Lachie had gotten a phone call from someone at KFC, that got Lachie riled up,” Mr Hone told the court on Wednesday.

“It sounded, on Lachie’s side, that he had heard (the accused teen) was down there and wanted to go down and confront him about the day before.”

Lachlan Andrews (left).

The court has heard the accused teen allegedly punched Lachie to the face with a single “dog shot” at a Casino Beef Week event the day before the fatal brawl.

Shortly after, Lachie was said to have broken a window at the accused teen’s home by swinging a scooter at it.

“(Lachie) said, should I go down there, confront (the accused teen) about (their dispute) and hitting him the day before,” Mr Hone said.

“We told him to leave it alone and that – he said nah that’s it, I’m going down, and he ran out the door of the apartment.”

After a verbal back and forth between Lachie, the accused teen and another man Aaron Pocklington – who has pleaded not guilty to affray and using an offensive weapon with intent – a brawl ensued.

KFC Casino in May 2024. Picture: Savannah Pocock

“I came in and tried to push (someone) off the top of Lachie … not a good sight to see, two people on top of my mate beating on him,” Mr Hone said.

“I was trying to help him out, pull them off and stop it all, split it up.”

Mr Hone said he interceded again when a teenage girl who also tried to pull the boys apart was allegedly hit.

“Beating on a little girl, it’s not right,” Mr Hone said.

Mr Hone said what happened next was “a bit of a blur”.

“I felt a hit on the back of my shoulder, then I saw Lachie get stabbed in the throat, his whole neck looked like it was pretty much open,” Mr Hone said.

“After Lachie came back, he looked up to me for help.”

A floral tribute to Lachie Andrews outside KFC Casino. Picture: Tessa Flemming

Mr Hone, now 20, then became emotional in the witness box, prompting Justice Hament Dhanji to intercede.

“This is an extraordinary thing you’ve experienced, and it’s obviously difficult to recount the events,” Justice Dhanji said.

“Everybody understands that.”

Mr Hone pressed on with his evidence.

“At first I thought I just got hit, a punch in the back, because I did get hit in the face just before that,” Mr Hone said.

“I didn’t realise I got stabbed.”

Mr Hone was then rushed to Lismore Base Hospital where he was treated for a collapsed lung.

The trial will continue on Thursday at Coffs Harbour Courthouse.