WATCH: Taylor Namulauulu faces court for Parramatta knife-wielding brawl outside Westfield

A knife-wielding offender who threatened a group of youths in front of a Westfield at lunch time has matured into a responsible father but the incident could have been fatal, a court has heard.

Knife-wielding offender Taylor Namulauulu, who violently threatened a group of youths in the middle of a Parramatta intersection before running a red light while pedestrians were crossing, has matured into a responsible father, a court has heard.

But the prosecution rejected that the 23-year-old was sorry for the alarming incident on June 18, 2019 when he stormed out of a car he was driving and made slashing actions with a knife at a group of youths as shocked pedestrians watched the brawl unfold outside Westfield.

In December, Mr Namulauulu pleaded guilty to charges of affray, armed with intent to commit an indictable offence and negligent driving after the shocking incident at the Church and Argyle streets intersection just after 1pm.

At Parramatta Local Court on Thursday, where Mr Namulauulu was surrounded by family, CCTV footage from a bus was played and showed him getting out of silver Honda he was driving and slashing a knife around as traffic came to a standstill.

When he stopped the car, a group of men ran towards the car and lunged at them with the knife before punches were thrown at one another over two minutes.

The Greystanes man’s lawyer Zemarai Khatiz told the court he had turned his life around since the incident.

“He’s taken significant steps to turn his life around,’’ he said.

“That is an important fact when your Honour considers those offences occurred about 20 months ago and he’s been on bail for about 18 months.

“Mr Namulauulu has never had a father figure and his closest person he ever had for a father figure was his grandfather.

The incident shocked onlookers outside the busy Parramatta Westfield shopping centre. Picture: 7 News

“Mr Namulauulu, a relatively young man has matured. He’s become a father. His partner is expecting the second baby. He has distanced himself from all the negative influences. He has changed his circle of friends and surrounded himself by very positive family support.’’

He told the court others had instigated the fight, his client had served almost three months in custody, had undertaken a Salvation Army course and become involved in a church.

Taylor Namulauulu brandished a knife during the two-minute incident. Picture: 7 News

But prosecutor John Marsh told the court Mr Namulauulu had been convicted after wielding an 18cm knife at a pub brawl in Greystanes on Australia Day in 2019 and he showed a lack of remorse and insight into the harm the weapon could cause, and wanted a full time prison sentence.

“It’s highly likely someone could have been killed or seriously injured,’’ Sgt Marsh said.

“Your Honour, can see from the footage it was filled with bystanders with the lunch crowd.

“My submission is his prospects of rehabilitation can be guarded, as best.

“This incident would not have occurred if Mr Namulauulu didn’t drive to that location and got out of the relative safety of the motor vehicle.”

The court heard the sentences for co-accused Jordan Adair-Sili, Lochie Adair, Michael Mactangay, Patric Pasikala and Issac Viiga. None were jailed over the Parramatta incident.

The court heard two matters were withdrawn in a children’s court.

Taylor Namulauulu leaves Parramatta Local Court after a December appearance when he pleaded guilty.

The court heard other offenders had worse records compared with Mr Namulauulu’s criminal history but, apart from Mactangay who had a knife on June 18, none were armed for the Westfield incident.

Magistrate Rodney Brender told the court he understood how Mr Namulauulu didn’t want to be a “sitting duck” while youths ran towards him in the car but he could have stayed in the car.

“You’re not affected until they smash the windows,’’ he said.

The matter will return to the court for judgment on February 18.

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