Ravon Sio sentenced after threatening rugby player with a knife at Hammondville oval

The relative of a rugby league player who concealed a knife in his pants and threatened a player he had ‘personal beef’ with argued he was “protecting his family”.

A teenager has been charged after he allegedly threatened a rugby league player with a knife in Sydney’s southwest.

The relative of a rugby league player who concealed a knife in his pants waistline and threatened a player he had ‘personal beef’ with argued he was “protecting his family”.

Ravon Sio, 19, pleaded guilty to wielding a knife in a public place and armed with intent to commit an indictable offence at Liverpool Local Court on Monday.

Sio appeared via audio visual link and waved to his sister and mother who gathered silently in the courtroom.

Sio, who was a spectator at the game, attended the open men’s match between the Chester Hills Hornets and the Canley Vale Kookas at Hammondville Oval on August 6 and allegedly confronted a Kooka’s player at the conclusion of the game.

Police found a knife underneath a parked vehicle in Hammondville. Picture: Gaye Gerard

According to police facts, Sio was sitting with his family and the Chester hills team when he noticed a Canley Vales player he had previous ‘personal issues’ with.

“Sio walked to his mother’s vehicle and retrieved a kitchen knife from the boot before secreting it in his pants waistline,” the facts state.

The teen and two members of the Canley Vale men’s team erupted into an argument before he pulled out the knife and advanced towards one of the players.

“While holding the knife in his left hand, his relative immediately grabbed him to hold him back,” the facts state.

Sio’s relative pulled him away before the teenager “transferred the knife to his right hand and started to wield the knife again” as his family member and the Chester Hill team attempted to stop the fight.

A rugby player was allegedly threatened with a knife a Hammondville Oval. Picture: WikiCommons.

The 19-year-old ran towards the cricket ground before throwing the knife under a parked car as police arrived at the scene.

When questioned by officers, one witness said Sio had “personal beef” with one of the players, which caused the argument.

Sio was arrested and taken to Liverpool police station where he admitted in a recorded interview that he took the knife from his mother’s vehicle, concealed it in his waistline before wielding it towards a Canley Vale men’s team member, the facts state.

Sio’s lawyer said his client had been in custody for more than six months and argued that while he has a “colourful history as a juvenile, this is his first offence as an adult”.

“Ultimately Mr Sio accepts the offending conduct, he accepts he should not have retrieved the knife,” his lawyer said.

Sio was sentenced at Liverpool Local Court on Monday. Picture: Matthew Vasilescu

Sio’s lawyer said the teenager has long-term ambitions to work in the music industry and is working to “turn his life around”.

Magistrate Imad Abdul-Karim said Sio‘s criminal record was “extensive both as a child and continues into adulthood”

Mr Abdul-Karim said Sio argued he “never intended to stab someone” and “his aim was to protect himself and his family” and “scare the other people away”.

“A letter of apology from the offender who says he’s sorry for what he’s done and particularly apologises to his mother who witnessed him being arrested,” he said.

Sio was convicted and sentenced to 10 months imprisonment from August 6, 2023 to June 5 2024 with a non-parole period of six months.

While Sio is to be released on parole on February 5, 2024 he will remain in custody for unrelated matters. A third charge of affray was dismissed.