Sonny Jaiden David pleads guilty to petrol attack on Taison Brockbank at Newcastle West

A second man has admitted to his role in setting an up-and-coming rapper on fire after petrol was poured over him during a horrific attack as the victim walked home from a night out in Newcastle.

The intersection of National Park and King streets in Newcastle West where Taison Brockbank was bashed and set on fire in 2023. Picture: Dan Proudman

A man has admitted to his role in setting a young Newcastle rapper alight after he was doused with petrol in a targeted attack over a minor debt.

Sonny Jaiden David, 23, was set to go to trial next year for the attack on Taison Brockbank in Newcastle West in 2023 before he pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent in Newcastle District Court on Thursday.

David is the second person to admit to the attack, after Joshua Morris, 32, pleaded guilty last December to causing grievous bodily harm with intent after prosecutors dropped a charge of using an explosive with intent to maim.

Mr Brockbank, an up-and-coming rap artist who goes by the stage name M3LLO, suffered burns to 46 per cent of his body in the attack in the early hours of September 28, 2023.

The then 23-year-old had been out with David and Morris before a minor dispute arose and his attackers left.

Taison Brockbank, who goes by the rapper stage name M3LLO, suffered severe burns after he was set alight while walking along King St, Newcastle West on September 28, 2023. Picture: Supplied

They would use a taxi to pick up petrol from a service station, fill a water bottle full of the liquid and use a cab to go hunting Mr Brockbank.

When they found him walking down King St, he was set upon and bashed to the ground before the petrol was poured on him and he was set alight.

Taison Brockbank, 23, spent three days in a come after he was set alight. Picture: Supplied

Despite his burns, Mr Brockbank was able to stumble several hundred metres to a 24-hour McDonalds and raise the alarm.

He spent three days in a coma and underwent numerous operations and skin grafts before months of painful physiotherapy.

David was arrested days after the attack before Morris was taken into custody in Sydney more than a fortnight later.

David, who was due to face a trial next March, pleaded guilty in Newcastle District Court on Thursday to causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

He remains in custody on remand and his matter was adjourned for sentence on September 18.

Morris will face a sentencing hearing on July 29.