Jay Lupton to be sentenced for 2020 stabbing death of Hady Jaouhara at Lethbridge Park

A convicted killer who fatally stabbed a man has shared his remorse for his deadly actions, as the victim’s family shares with the court the nightmare which followed the death.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SPECIAL. Jay Lupton who is charged with murdering Hady Jaouhara pic: Facebook

A man convicted over a fatal stabbing in a western Sydney backyard has expressed his remorse to his victim’s family, as the dead man’s sister penned a powerful victim impact statement in an effort to describe her family’s loss.

Jay Lupton, 31, is awaiting sentence after pleading guilty to manslaughter over the stabbing death of Hady Jaouhara at his Lethbridge Park home in February 2020.

Lupton was previously charged with murder and was subjected to two trials in which both juries could not reach a verdict.

On Friday, Lupton expressed his remorse to the Supreme Court and described his guilt as “not a good feeling”.

“I’d never thought I’d be sitting here with the guilt of taking somebody’s life,” he said. “It’s not a good feeling. I’d like to say I’m sorry for all the pain and hurt I’ve caused the family. I don’t expect their forgiveness for what I’ve done, but I’m sorry.”

Jay Lupton Picture: Facebook

In a victim impact statement, Hady Jaouhara’s sister described the great pains her family had endured since their loss, writing her brother “deserved so much more” than what the world could offer him.

“How could I explain what a loss to the world losing my brother has been. He was a friend to everyone that needed one, and despite being the youngest member of our family he was the core of it,” she said. “I have to say its extremely hard to write this victim impact statement when I still have so many questions.”

Jay Lupton, Picture: Facebook

Lupton’s lawyer told the court her client had “reached a turning point in his life” since spending over three years remanded in custody and his remorse was genuine, as was his desire to change.

“It’s been over a year since he’s woken up to himself and has realised the severity of the repercussions of this lifestyle,” he said.

“Mr Lupton has reached that turning point, and what he deserves is a chance to put that to good use, and to allow him to prove what he says is correct.”
The crown prosecutor grilled Lupton in cross examination on how genuine his vows to change were, pressing him his previous record involving of violence and dishonesty.

In response, Lupton doubled down on his desire to change and cited his teenage daughter as a primary motivation for his rehabilitation.

“I’m not getting any younger, my daughter’s going to be 13 this year and I’ve spent most of her life in jail,” he said. “She doesn't deserve to have a father behind bars and I want to be there for her. I grew up without a father and I know what that’s like.”

When asked on his goals for his life when released from jail, Lupton replied: “To get out, get a job and be a normal person. I haven't had a chance to do that before, I’ve always thought ‘who cares I’ve had a hard life’.”

Lupton will be sentenced on Thursday.