Charlie Madigan, James Mason sentenced over Pagewood stabbing
A man who broke into a family home before repeatedly stabbing a dad in front of his horrified son has finally faced justice. And while a sentence was handed down, the attacker won’t be going to jail.
Southern Courier
Don't miss out on the headlines from Southern Courier. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Charlie Madigan, James Mason face court over Pagewood stabbing
- Emanuel School: Randwick school’s plans to expand
A man who broke into a family home before stabbing a father in front of his horrified son has avoided a custodial sentence.
Charlie Madigan, 21, and co-offender James Mason, 20, were sentenced on Tuesday over the horrifying break and enter which took place in Pagewood in September 2018.
Despite them leaving their victim bleeding and worried for his life a magistrate didn’t impose a custodial sentence - instead handing them intensive correction orders for a period of three years and 16 months respectively.
A third offender, who has been dealt with in the children’s court, was also involved in the break-in but cannot be named for legal reasons.
The incident unfolded when the youngest offender sent a series of messages to another boy he alleged ripped him off over some cannabis. One message read “Your [sic] f*****. Just wait brother”.
The youngest offender alongside friends Madigan and Mason visited the boy’s home in the early hours of Sunday, September 9, 2018.
They entered a converted garage at the rear where they believed the boy to be sleeping.
However, they instead found their way into his brother’s room.
The agreed facts stated Madigan punched the brother in the face and the trio repeatedly demanded drugs and money from the unsuspecting 16-year-old.
When the boy’s father heard the disturbance he went to investigate.
He was met by Madigan who lunged at him with a camping knife he had found in the bedroom, stabbing the dad in the shoulder.
He continued slashing at the father who suffered multiple cuts before he was able to grab hold of Madigan’s wrist.
The victim’s son was also assaulted trying to help his dad and suffered a broken nose.
The three offenders fled with $30 and an iPhone but were arrested by police following an investigation.
The father required treatment in hospital for his injuries including a 2cm deep wound to his shoulder and a broken rib but has since recovered.
Madigan and Mason were sentenced on Tuesday at Downing Centre District Court and received intensive correction orders, which are prison sentences served in the community rather than jail.
Madigan must also complete 300 hours of community service work and keep strict conditions including counselling and staying off drugs, while Mason was given 150 hours of community service work and must keep similar conditions.
Judge Sarah Huggett took into account a report which showed Madigan was under the influence of drugs (Xanax) and alcohol during the offending.
She also took into account the two offenders’ troubled upbringings, steps they had taken toward rehabilitation, their relatively young age and the risk of jail hindering their rehabilitation.
Judge Huggett said that any money allegedly owed to one of the offenders was no excuse for the incident.
“That fact in no way excuses what happened that night in the family home,” she said.
The father read out a victim impact statement in court last year during a sentence hearing.
“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 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.
Prior to the sentence, Madigan and Mason pleaded guilty to aggravated break and enter commit serious indictable offence.
Madigan had also pleaded guilty to further charges of wound person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and possess a prohibited drug.
.