Erskineville: Stellios Maletsas charged with Marcus Campbell murder
A man allegedly bashed to death in Sydney’s Inner West last night has been remembered by as “the sweetest man”. His neighbour has been arrested and charged over the alleged attack which police say involved a metal bar.
Inner West
Don't miss out on the headlines from Inner West. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Inner west bus route changes, union claims services axed
- Mum in fake identity at Balmain’s The Laser Lounge
A man has been charged with murder after allegedly bashing his neighbour to death with a metal bar.
Stellios Maletsas, 28, from Erskineville has been charged with murder after officers were called to an alleged fight between two men at a government housing block on Swanson St, Erskineville about 8:50pm on Sunday.
Maletsas allegedly fled the scene before a 57 year-old Marcus Campbell was found with severe head and facial injuries.
Campbell died soon after despite the efforts of paramedics.
NSW South Sydney Police Area Commander Superintendent Andrew Holland said the deadly fight was the result of an “ongoing dispute” between the pair.
Supt Holland alleged witnesses reported a metal bar and fists were used in the “tragic incident”.
“The two men were known to each other, they lived in neighbouring unit blocks,” Supt Holland said.
“Reports from witnesses said the offender may have used metal bar and struck victim number of times and also used his fists.”
The cause of the dispute is still under investigation, Supt Holland said.
“Neighbourhood disputes happen all the time but this is a tragic incident.”
Maletsas was arrested inside his unit within the public housing complex at 12:45am on Monday morning.
The 28 year-old did not appear or apply for bail while his matter was heard at Central Local Court.
He was refused bail and the matter adjourned until November 10.
Two apartment blocks were cordoned off on Monday morning as detectives and forensics experts remained at the scene and swept the area for clues, including the front yard of a neighbouring property.
Blood splatters were seen on the pavement between the two blocks.
Two dogs said to belong to the 28 year-old alleged offender were removed from one of the apartment buildings by police.
A woman identified only as Elda mourned the 57 year-old man as one of her “closest friends” and said he would be missed by many in the apartment block complex.
Elda remembered her neighbour as a “happy guy” who was deeply Christian and “so generous”.
“He was always so friendly, he loved to give you a hug when he saw you and he was so generous. He was supposed to come and help me with some cabinets today... you couldn’t hope for a better neighbour,” Elda said.
“He was such a beautiful man with a lovely nature, he didn’t deserve to go like this.”
Another resident of the government block named David, who was also a friend of the dead man, said he “heard screaming” during the night on Sunday.
“I heard lots of shouting but that’s not unusual around here, I just kept inside,” David said.
“It’s very sad, I’ll miss the bloke for sure.”
Another resident of the government block named David, who was also a friend of Campbell, said he “heard screaming” during the night on Sunday.
“I heard lots of shouting but that’s not unusual around here, I just kept inside,” David said.
“It’s very sad, I’ll miss the bloke for sure.”
