Jaiden Smale sentenced after pleading guilty to affray, over involvement in Whalan Park melee

A man whose beef with a former housemate over unpaid rent, a cat and a PlayStation escalated into a deadly brawl in which his beloved father was fatally stabbed, has been sentenced over his involvement on the tragic night.

Jaiden Smale leaves Parramatta court.

A man – whose father was tragically killed trying while trying defend him during a feud with his former housemates – has escaped time behind bars over his involvement in the deadly brawl.

Jaiden Smale, 21 of North St Marys fronted Parramatta District Court after pleading guilty to affray.

A set of facts read out in court outlined how Smale had been living with his former classmate Jhye Martin Blackett, in a Kingswood rental along with both their girlfriends.

Things soured in December 2021, leading to Martin-Blackett and his partner being told to move out.

In the days following, Smale and his girlfriend returned home to find property missing, most significantly a cat and a PlayStation, which had allegedly been taken by Martin-Blackett.

An infuriated Smale demanded his property back, with the former housemates exchanging a barrage of text messages before agreeing to meet up to reach some sort of resolution.

Father-of-three Matthew Smale.

Smale also sent about a dozen angry text messages to his mother reading “They took everything, I’m gonna bomb the c**t” and “Tell Dad to come through Emu Plains to look for him.”

The two planned to meet at Whalan Reserve on December 21, fearing violence could be a possibility Smale was joined by cluster of associates, including his father Matthew Smale and uncle Robert Corrigan.

A total of 14 people had gathered with Martin-Blackett also having brought a crew, which included Jacob Borja, whom Smale had never met before and was only familiar with through social media.

Smale later gave evidence stating after exchanging punches with Martin-Blackett he fell on the ground was being kicked, when he saw Borja sneak up behind his father before stabbing him.

It is alleged Borja stabbed Robert Corrigan in the arm, Jaiden Smale in the chest and Matthew Smale in the neck, killing him.

The court heard Smale suffered “significant and potentially life-threatening” injuries after being stabbed, and was required to undergo blood and plasma transfusions

Jhye Blackett-Smith leaves Parramatta District Court. Picture: Supplied

Borja has pleaded not guilty to murder and two counts of wounding with intent and will stand trial on October 9.

On Wednesday, a defence lawyer asked the court to consider a non-custodial sentence for Smale, in light of the ways he has been impacted by the events, including his own physical injuries, his post-traumatic stress disorder, and the loss of his father.

“You’ll notice my client’s family gathered up the back of the court, there should be one other person sitting there,” the lawyer said, in reference to Mr Smale.

“But he’s not, and he never will, my client has to live with that for the rest of his life.”

Whalan Reserve where the melee took place.

The court heard since his father’s passing, Smale had stepped up to take on the role of breadwinner for his mother and two younger sisters.

In sentencing Judge Hanley accepted the unlawful violence carried out by Smale was limited to the punches exchanged with Martin-Blackett and he initially “had no intention of using violence” but “just wanted his stuff back”.

“I take into account he was extremely immature, he never expected an outcome in which his father would be killed,” Judge Hanley said.

“His PTSD is ongoing and worsening, it impacts most aspects of his life. He attempts to divert himself from considering his father’s death are basically futile, it’s a fact that lives with him on a daily basis, he colours himself responsible for it.”

Judge Hanley also considered Smale’s otherwise good character, strong community ties, diligent work ethic as reasons for a non-custodial sentence.

Jaiden Smale was sentenced to a two year intensive corrections order to be served in the community.

Jhye Martin-Blackett was sentenced on May 26 to two years and three months jail time, with 14 months non parole.