Mathiang Malok wanted to stab multiple people at Nairobi Affair Lounge in Adelaide CBD, court told

A man arrested by Operation Meld officers after he stabbed another man during a wild brawl at a CBD bar had multiple knives in his waistband, a court has heard.

A Melbourne man who came to an Adelaide CBD bar with several knives in his waistband was “looking to stab multiple people” – despite later claiming he was acting in defence, a court has heard

Mathiang Malok, 26, appeared in the District Court on Thursday for sentencing submissions after being found guilty of aggravated affray and two counts of aggravated cause harm with intent in a judge-alone trial earlier this year.

Malok was arrested by members of Operation Meld and was previously charged with attempted murder, but that was withdrawn prior to the start of the trial.

Prosecution submitted to Judge Joanne Tracey that Malok had a “willingness” to use the knife he had on the night of the attack, and the “possibility of violence was plainly contemplated”

“It’s said that this was a spontaneous and not premeditated act … there was not just one knife,” they said. “Your Honour would recall the evidence of the witness who said he (Malok) lifted his top and within the belt – or waistband – there were a number of knives.

“Your Honour would recall the CCTV footage where the defendant was bounding around, armed with a knife – looking to stab multiple people … and he did.

Mathiang Malok being taken through Melbourne Airport during his extradition back to SA in 2022. Picture: 7NEWS

Mathiang Malok being taken through Melbourne Airport during his extradition back to SA in 2022. Picture: 7NEWS

“In my submission, he has demonstrated extraordinary aggression. Once armed with multiple knives – if not premeditated – Your Honour can confer he was prepared to use the knives all along.

“It is simply too serious to suspend or indeed impose any home detention, and it does call for a serious imposition of a sentence of imprisonment to be served in a custodial environment.”

It was previously alleged by prosecutors Malok was one of a group of men who attacked two victims at the Nairobi Affair Lounge after a music event in March 2022.

They further alleged CCTV from the incident showed Malok “thrusting the knife towards the victim’s torso, stabbing him” near a stairwell.

Malok was arrested in the Melbourne suburb of Epping in April 2022 and extradited back to South Australia. He has been remanded in custody since.

Operation Meld is a police taskforce set up to investigate youth gang crime.

On Thursday, defence counsel for Malok acknowledged his client was in possession of a knife during the attack, but submitted its eventual use was “impulsive” and influenced by a “misguided social group”.

However, prosecution rebutted the claim – telling Judge Tracey “this was not a case” of a man being armed with a knife “just in case”.

“His willingness to stab multiple men and go on until the fights were effectively broken up tells against any defensive purpose,” they said.

“These men, who were a target of his conduct, posed no threat to him.”

Malok was remanded in custody and will appear in court next year for sentencing.

Originally published as Mathiang Malok wanted to stab multiple people at Nairobi Affair Lounge in Adelaide CBD, court told