Joseph Ioane charged with affray after Kmart Mt Druitt brawl when two men allegedly stabbed

A youth charged over a wild brawl before a double stabbing outside a Kmart store in Sydney’s west was on bail at the time of the violent melee, a court has heard.

An 18-year-old man was on bail for affray when he allegedly got involved in a wild melee outside the Mt Druitt Kmart on Tuesday evening when two males were allegedly stabbed.

Labourer Joseph Ioane faced Parramatta Local Court via video link on Friday following an alleged stabbing at the Carlisle Ave shopping complex where violence allegedly broke out about 5.15pm when two opposing groups of teens and young men appeared to attack each other.

A 17-year-old boy and 22-year-old man were allegedly stabbed multiple times outside the department store after a group of males known to each other were fighting.

Ioane was arrested at his family’s Rooty Hill house on Wednesday afternoon before he was taken to Mt Druitt Police Station charged with affray.

At Parramatta Local Court on Friday, he pleaded not guilty to the offence.

Joseph Ioane has pleaded not guilty to affray after the Kmart melee. Picture: NSW Police

His lawyer told the court Ioane was acting in self defence when he kicked a man because that man allegedly pulled out a knife.

Ioane also allegedly used a pole or stick during the brawl.

Two men were allegedly after a fight erupted outside Mt Druitt Kmart. Picture: Facebook

The court heard he was on bail for having custody of a knife in a public place after an incident in May, a day after his 18th birthday, at the time of the Kmart brawl.

He has pleaded guilty to that charge.

Ioane’s parents and family packed the courtroom as his lawyer applied for bail and told the court he was prepared to live with his aunt and uncle in Canberra to distance himself from negative influences in Sydney.

The police prosecutor opposed bail, telling the court Ioane posed a safety risk to the community.

Magistrate Judith Sweeney told the court it was a “very, very difficult situation” in considering bail for Ioane again.

“He’s been living in Canberra and back in Sydney for just a few months and (allegedly) finds himself in bad company,’’ she said.

However, given his youth and strong family support, Ms Sweeney granted him bail but told the court he should live in Sydney, the same jurisdiction where the alleged affray occurred.

He must live with his parents at Rooty Hill and only leave the house for work and reporting to police. He can only leave home between 5.30am and 5pm, is forbidden from attending Mt Druitt Westfield and the Club Hotel, or contacting other witnesses.

Ms Sweeney warned Ioane it was his “last chance” to become prosocial.

“You’ve either got one road – to the left or to the right … pull your socks up and listen to your family …,’’ she said.

Ioane’s case will return to court in August.

On Thursday, a second man was charged over the alleged stabbing under the Strike Force Leeman investigation.

The 20-year-old Whalan man was arrested at a home on Luxford Rd about 11.10am and charged with affray.

The man was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court on Friday when it was adjourned to Saturday.