Shelby Stanley: Wellington man sentenced for manslaughter of step-cousin Bradley Stanley

A young man from Wellington in western NSW has been sentenced over a “self-defence” act which led to the death of his step-cousin.

Shelby Stanley has been sentenced in relation to the fatal stabbing of his step-cousin. Picture: Facebook

A young man from Wellington has been jailed for at least another year after the death of his step-cousin in a self defence act.

WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this story contains the name and image of a deceased Indigenous person.

Shelby Stanley, 21, appeared in the Supreme Court of NSW on Friday to be sentenced over the stabbing of Bradley Stanley, aged 24, in the neck and rib area.

Bradley was stabbed during a brawl outside Stanley’s home on January 3, 2021, and taken to Wellington Hospital where he died later that afternoon.

Justice Julia Lonergan said the offender waved the knife close to Bradley before causing injuries to the left side of his neck and the right side of his abdominal cavity.

Brad Stanley, of Wellington, died after being stabbed in the neck and abdomen.

Once police attended the scene, they observed Stanley to have bruising and swelling to his face and blood on his clothing.

He was taken to Dubbo Base Hospital and placed under arrest.

Stanley told police that he had consumed “about 18 beers” that night and blacked out.

He pleaded guilty to manslaughter in an act of self defence in August 2022.

The court heard Stanley grew up around domestic violence and his brother died from drug abuse.

“The offender has been exposed to violence in the community and significant drug and alcohol abuse,” Ms Lonergan said.

She said he “turned to alcohol”, describing the intoxication as an “escape from reality”.

Ms Lonergan acknowledged Mr Stanley’s mental health illness, surrounded by alcohol and drug abuse.

“The offender has shown remorse,” she said.

“He has consistently demonstrated remorse for what occurred.

“It’s clear that the distress of his cousin is always on his mind.”

Ms Lonergan said Stanley showed good prospects of rehabilitation and was “unlikely to reoffend again”.

She convicted Stanley to six years of imprisonment with a non parole period of three years and six months backdated from January 3, 2021 and expiring on January 3, 2027.

He will be eligible for parole in July 2024.