Teens charged after man stabbed in Inner West train fight on Australia Day

Two men have appeared in court, and another 12 teens charged, after a man was allegedly stabbed during a brawl on Australia Day.

Two men charged with affray over a large, bloody Australia Day brawl on a Sydney train, in which a man was allegedly stabbed, have appeared before court.

Ronald David, 18, appeared today in Burwood Local Court, where police described him as “quite a violent individual”, and said that the incident has involved an “unprovoked” attack by the group on the two alleged victims.

His lawyer said David was on Youth Allowance and had PTSD, and that it was unclear who identified him since a police prosecutor told the court railway CCTV and mobile phone footage had captured the entire attack.

David was granted bail to live at an address in Parramatta after the court heard he had a clean criminal record.

“It appears (David) was in company and (allegedly) randomly picked on individuals who were seated on the train,“ Magistrate Alison Viney said.

Mayual Manyang, also 18, appeared in court via audiovisual link from Auburn police station, still wearing a blue forensic suit.

His lawyer David Mulligan said the part-time “pick packer” had a clear criminal record, so was unlikely to spend time in jail, even if convicted. He too was granted bail.

Teenagers were been arrested and two men taken to hospital following a violent stabbing on a Sydney train. Picture: TNV

Earlier today, police urged witnesses to come forward if they had any information about the brawl, which involved about 14 people on a train in Sydney’s inner west.

They said two 18-year-old men were travelling to Sydney CBD between Auburn and Strathfield Station about 4.30pm to celebrate Australia Day when a fight broke out with another group and one of the men was stabbed.

Police and paramedics arrived at Strathfield Station minutes later to find one of the 18-year-old men with stab wounds to his thigh and shoulder.

He was treated at the scene before being transported to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, where he was discharged this morning.

Auburn Police Area Commander Superintendent Adam Johnson said that detectives believe a disagreement between the two groups — who were not known to each other — led to the scuffle.

“There was some sort of altercation but we are getting to the bottom of exactly what happened,” he said.

Supt Johnson said the man is lucky to not be in a more serious condition following the assault. Some of the men, but not all of them, were known to police.

Police and paramedics arriving at Strathfield Station at 4.40pm found an 18-year-old man with stab wounds to his thigh and shoulder. Picture: TNV

Two knives discovered in the “vicinity” of the attack will form part of the police’s evidence brief, according to Supt Johnson, along with CCTV footage of the incident.

Anyone who witnessed the attack is also urged to come forward.

“I would ask any member of the public who has any information or particularly mobile footage of the events leading up to the incident, during the incident or after it to come forward,” he said.

Police say they are confident that all men involved in the dispute have been arrested.

“It was an outstanding co-ordinated response between Auburn and Burwood police. It was a difficult crime scene and we’re talking about the rail network. A quick response from those police ensured the arrest of fourteen people,” he said.

The arrests teens were taken to Burwood and Auburn police stations. Picture: TNV

FULL LIST OF CHARGES

A 17-year-old Marsden Park boy was charged with reckless wounding in company, would person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, reckless grievous bodily harm in company and two counts of affray.

The five 18-year-old men and eight juveniles – aged 15, three aged 16 and four aged 17 – were all charged with two counts of affray. A 16-year-old youth from Willmot was also charged with custody of knife in a public place.

The 17-year-old Marsden Park boy and three other teens – including a 15-year-old from Stanhope Gardens, a 16-year-old from Kellyville and a 17-year-old from South Wentworthville were refused bail to appear at Surry Hills Children’s Court today.

Three of the 18-year-olds from Guildford, St Marys and Tregear have been refused bail to appear at Burwood Local Court today.

The 16-year-old Wilmot youth was granted conditional bail to appear at a children’s court on Wednesday 3 February 2021.

A 16-year-old Toongabbie youth and a 17-year-old Blacktown youth were granted conditional bail to appear at a children’s court on Monday 8 February 2021.

Two 17-year-olds from Colyton and Marayong were granted conditional bail to appear at a children’s court on Tuesday 9 February 2021.

Two 18-year-old men from Marayong and Mount Druitt were granted conditional bail to appear at Burwood Local Court on Monday 15 February 2021.

Inquiries are continuing.