Dalton Trent Oliver set to be sentenced for manslaughter of Graham Cameron in Stockton

A court has heard a family has been “destroyed” after Stockton’s Graham Cameron was stabbed to death and left to burn in his own unit. One of those responsible was a new friend who he had just helped out.

Police investigating the death of Stockton man Graham Cameron at the burnt out home. Picture by Peter Lorimer.

The sister of a man who was stabbed to death before his body was left to burn in his own unit has tearfully told his killer their family has been “destroyed” by his loss.

Graham Cameron, 54, was brutally stabbed in the back and neck with a knife three times after two people stormed his Stockton unit, in Newcastle, at about 3.30am on July 26, 2021.

Described as a “determined and strong man” who beat cancer in his later years, Mr Cameron grew up in Balmain and was a keen rugby league player before he moved to Newcastle with his family.

“He was always there for me and a wonderful uncle,” sister Bernice Hughes said as she gave an victim impact statement in Newcastle Supreme Court on Friday.

“(He) enjoyed going to the General Washington Hotel for a counter lunch with his dog Izzy.”

Stockton man Graham Cameron, who was found dead in a house hire on July 26, 2021. Picture: Facebook.

Dalton Trent Oliver arrested on October 5, 2022. Picture: NSW Police.

Dalton Trent Oliver pleaded guilty to his manslaughter and a charge of destruction of property by fire after a murder charge was dropped by prosecutors and a trial abandoned.

The 24-year-old and a young person made plans to assault Mr Cameron before an altercation erupted and he was fatally injured.

The pair then set the Fullerton Rd unit on fire and fled before emergency crews made the gruesome discovery of Mr Cameron’s body some hours later.

At a sentence hearing on Friday, Ms Hughes faced Oliver to detail how his action had caused their family “heartbreak and significant pain”.

Strike Force Childowla detectives conducted a search warrant at the Pitt Street, Stockton, address where a 22-year-old man was arrested over the death of Graham Cameron. Picture by Peter Lorimer.

She told the court she couldn’t even bear coming to Newcastle anymore or hear the name Stockton, knowing she couldn’t visit and see her brother anymore.

“Miss being crazy with him. All of our special days are sad,” she said.

Police facts said Oliver had just been granted bail over an unrelated matter and was “couch surfing” in the Stockton area when he met Mr Cameron through mutual acquaintances.

They had become friends when he offered the 24-year-old a place to stay for a few nights.

But within just five days of the pair meeting, Oliver and the young person colluded to assault Mr Cameron at his unit, according to court documents.

At some point before arriving at the unit, the 24-year-old realised the young person was armed with a knife.

Court documents also revealed that it was the young person that stabbed Mr Cameron after his level of violence had “escalated rapidly” before the pair set fire to the property.

Police facts said the duo also went to the bank of the Hunter River and burned clothing worn that morning which police would later recover and reveal as Mr Cameron’s and included Oliver’s DNA.

The burnt home of Graham Cameron. Picture by Peter Lorimer.

Crown Prosecutor John Stanhope told the court it was accepted Oliver’s awareness of the knife only occurred when the pair travelled to the house of Mr Cameron and that he did not know of any murderous intent.

But Mr Stanhope said his purpose in destroying evidence with fire and concealing a crime was a “grave example of the offence” which placed others in danger if the blaze spread.

The court heard there was no suggestion of animosity between Oliver and Mr Cameron and the motivation for the “savage” attack seemed unclear.

Defence barrister Elizabeth McLaughlin said the attack was “quick, unplanned and in the chaotic hours of the morning” by a man that was of much younger maturity than his 21 years at the time.

She said his role was to “do nothing” but be there during the assault with no knowledge the knife would be used.

Ms McLaughlin said the fact he was a boxing trainer was not relevant and his mental health and drug use should be a factor in reducing his moral culpability because of his capacity to regulate and control his behaviour.

Justice Mark Ierace reserved his Judgement for next month.