Charlie Madigan, James Mason face court over Pagewood stabbing
A father has recounted the terrifying moment three men broke into his home and stabbed him repeatedly as his traumatised son watched on helplessly.
Southern Courier
Don't miss out on the headlines from Southern Courier. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Decision made on controversial eastern suburbs developments
- HSC student tops the state despite three AFL concussions
A father stabbed multiple times in front of his son while confronting robbers inside his home has described the horrifying incident as “like a war zone with blood everywhere”.
Charlie Madigan, 21, and James Mason, 20, broke into a granny flat at the rear of a family property on Holloway St, Pagewood in September 2018.
The break-in turned violent when Mr Madigan stabbed the owner repeatedly with a knife.
They were also accompanied by a younger offender who cannot be named for legal reasons.
About 3am on the night of the offence, the three offenders confronted a 16-year-old boy who had been sleeping in the granny flat, demanding drugs and money.
When the boy’s father heard the disturbance he went to investigate and was met by Mr Madigan, who stabbed him multiple times in the torso and his left shoulder.
The victim’s son was assaulted as he tried to help his father and suffered a broken nose.
The three men fled but were later arrested by police following an investigation.
Both victims were treated in hospital including the father who suffered multiple stab wounds.
Mr Madigan and Mr Mason appeared at Downing Centre District Court on Tuesday for sentencing over the violent offence.
The prosecutor said it appeared the break-in was a case of mistaken identity, as they found no drugs and only took off with an iPhone and $30 cash.
“They expected someone to be home at the time so that they could confront them,” the prosecutor said.
The father who was stabbed read out a victim impact statement in court.
“I was stabbed several times that night by Charlie Madigan and thought I was going to die,” he said.
“Our safe and loving home was like a war zone with blood everywhere.”
He said even after he was injured Mr Madigan continued to slash him.
“I was stabbed and remember yelling ‘I’m hit’ yet you continued to stab me.”
He said the other offenders watched on and stopped his “heroic” son from helping.
“Thomas was saving my life and you tried to stop him.”
Mr Madigan’s defence said that his client had a troubled childhood and his father had suffered from severe mental health illnesses.
He said Mr Madigan, who was on the autism spectrum, turned to drugs to self medicate and he had been taking Xanax on the night of the offence.
He asked Judge Sarah Huggett to consider special circumstances in sentencing Mr Madigan.
Mr Madigan and Mr Mason’s sentencing is continuing in the district court and has been adjourned until February 11. Both men remain on bail.
Mr Madigan and Mr Mason have both pleaded guilty to aggravated break and enter commit serious indictable offence.
Mr Madigan has pleaded guilty to further charges of wound person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and possess a prohibited drug.
The youngest offender has been dealt with in the children’s court.