Bidwill woman Stacey Pale pleads guilty to being accessory in teen Jason Galleghan‘s alleged murder

A woman guilty of lying to police about a horrifying murder at a western Sydney home was allegedly told by one of the attackers there was going to be a “party”.

Stacey Pale, 37, of Bidwill, (left) pleaded guilty at Penrith Local Court on Friday to being an accessory after the fact to grievous bodily harm following the alleged murder of beloved teen Jason Galleghan.

A western Sydney woman tried to dissuade concerned neighbours that a horrifying murder happening inside a suburban home was simply a family argument, before later lying to police.

Stacey Pale, 37, of Bidwill, pleaded guilty at Penrith Local Court on Friday to being an accessory after the fact to grievous bodily harm following the alleged murder of beloved teen Jason Galleghan.

The 16-year-old was allegedly lured to a Doonside home before being set upon by a gang of juveniles and adults on August 4 2021, following the alleged theft of a pair of Apple AirPods.

Agreed facts tendered to the court reveal earlier that day Pale visited the home of Harley Bartolo and Kayla Dawson, who had allegedly hatched a plan to lure Galleghan.

About 4pm, Dawson and two juveniles are alleged to have entered the home with Galleghan, who was brought into a spare bedroom while Pale remained outside on the veranda.

Stacey Pale, 37, of Bidwill. Picture: Nathan Schmidt

Over the next half an hour, Galleghan is alleged to have been subjected to an horrific beating described by a Supreme Court Judge as “cruelty of the highest order”.

Much of the attack, which sent shockwaves through Sydney, was broadcast online through video streaming platforms. Police claim one video garnered more than 170,000 views.

The gruesome videos are described at length in agreed police facts tendered to the court on Friday, with a juvenile at one point ordering another to film their role in the beating.

“I’m going to kill this c**t,” the juvenile allegedly told the other, “and put him through the wall.”

The other juvenile allegedly replied: “Enough, wait until I’m finished.

“Then you can f**k him through the wall.”

Jason Galleghan, 16, was killed in a Doonside home in 2021. His death sent shockwaves through Sydney at the time, with multiple adults and juveniles being charged.

Galleghan was also ordered to answer a series of questions and told his attackers he “was going to pass out”, before being thrown across the room and stomped on by two attackers.

In another video, some of the juvenile offenders allegedly ordered Galleghan to repeat gang acronyms, including “F**k 21”, “27 on top”, “F**K KVT”, and “F**k MOB”.

While the attack is taking place, the next-door neighbours – hearing the screaming – asked Pale over the fence what was happening inside. Pale dismissed the question.

“It’s just a family dispute,” Pale replied. When asked again, she repeated: “Nothing, just a family issue.”

Dawson allegedly also went outside at that time and offered a similar explanation.

Shortly before 5pm, Galleghan was left alone inside the house.

After Dawson and Bartolo returned, Dawson and Pale called emergency services.

Pale – going by the name Stacey – told operators Galleghan had been “beaten up”.

Asked if she was looking at him, she said: “I am, but I am pregnant.

“I don’t want to vomit.”

After police arrived, Dawson told officers “two black guys … African chased (Galleghan)” and had assaulted him inside the house for about 10 minutes, before fleeing from the scene.

“Dawson then allegedly re-created a gargling sound whilst laughing and told police that was the deceased choking on his own blood as he was gasping for air,” agreed facts reveal.

Pale, who was nearby when Dawson gave her account, told police she had been at the residence to do laundry, and that she didn’t know what had happened inside.

“Pale told police she didn’t see the deceased get ‘thinged’ or anything,” agreed facts reveal.

“She was standing beside the door and tried to call out to the deceased to help him.”

Thomas Pakau, 18, also appeared at Penrith court on Friday charged with being accessory to grievous bodily harm after the fact. Picture: Nathan Schmidt

Pale told police she had met Dawson at Doonside train station while buying cigarettes, and was allegedly told by Dawson that “they were going to be having a party at the house”.

Bartolo later told police Pale had been in the laundry at the time of the assault and had urged for paramedics to be called while he and Dawson were allegedly outside of the home.

The trio were arrested soon after and taken to Blacktown police station.

In total, ten adults and juveniles have been charged in relation to the murder.

Earlier this month, Bartolo, 31, was sentenced to 17 months in prison after pleading guilty to being an accessory after the fact to causing grievous bodily wounding.

Bartolo admitted to police to fabricating the story about African attackers.

Thomas Pakau, 18, also appeared at Penrith court on Friday charged with being accessory to grievous bodily harm after the fact. His lawyer said the charges are expected to be resolved next week.

Rebyll Oaariki, 24, faces the same charges but did not appear in court.

Both men are alleged to have left the home shortly after Galleghan arrived.

They are due back before the court on March 3.

Pale will appear before the Sydney Supreme Court later this year for sentencing.

Five juveniles charged in relation with the murder are still before the courts.

Dawson has not entered pleas and will reappear before Penrith Local Court on March 10.

Sione, who has also not entered any pleas, will be arraigned at Sydney Supreme Court on April 14.