Jacob Eid: Hassall Grove man pleads guilty to affray over deadly Whalan Reserve brawl

A teenager who drove an alleged killer to and from a western Sydney reserve, the scene of a violent brawl which resulted in one man dead and two others seriously injured, has appeared in court.

Jacob Eid leaves Penrith Local Court

A teenager who drove an alleged killer to and from a western Sydney reserve, the scene of a violent brawl which resulted in one man dead and two others seriously injured, has pleaded guilty.

Jacob Eid, 19 of Hassall Grove, appeared at Penrith Local Court on Friday and pleaded guilty to affray and failing to disclose identity of passenger.

A previous charge of accessory to murder after the fact was withdrawn.

Police facts state on December 22, 2021, Eid drove Jacob Borja, 18 to Whalan Reserve where a dozen people had gathered over a dispute between two former roommates involving unpaid rent, a cat and a playstation.

What was meant to be a one-on-one fight descended into further violence when Borja, 18 allegedly pulled out a knife and stabbed three people. He has since been charged with murder and two counts of wounding with intent and pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Jacob Eid leaves Penrith Local Court

Matthew Smale, aged 40, died after being stabbed in the neck, while his son Jaiden and brother Robert Corrigan were also seriously injured after being stabbed.

According to police facts Eid was a “willing participant” in the brawl and used unlawful violence toward Matthew and Jaiden Smale and Robert Corrigan.

Shortly after the triple stabbing, Eid drove a car with Borja inside away from the reserve. When he was pulled over by police and asked about who was in the car, Eid did not disclose his passengers’ identities despite knowing who they were.

Police facts also state Eid helped Borja hide and dispose of evidence, including their clothing and a vehicle in the basement car park of an Olympic Park apartment building.

Another associate who was charged over the brawl, Jhye Martin-Blackett, 19 pleaded guilty to affray in October last year.

Eid will be committed to sentence in the District Court at a later date, while Martin-Blackett will be sentenced in Parramatta District Court on March 1.

Borja remains before the courts with a trial expected to take place in October.