Teens in court accused of involvement in violent Merewether stabbing of Daniel Lowe

Five of the six teens allegedly involved in a violent home invasion at Merewether, where a local sporting champion was stabbed multiple times, have appeared in court. Read what happened.

A man, 49, was stabbed in the abdomen when he was allegedly confronted by a group of youths inside his Merewether home on Coane St, during a pre-dawn home invasion on Tuesday 19th September. Picture: Dan Proudman

A 14-year-old boy, the alleged “primary offender” in a violent pre-dawn home invasion in Newcastle which left a man in an induced coma with multiple stab wounds, will remain behind bars.

The boy was not required to appear and did not apply for bail on charges including attempted murder, aggravated break and enter to commit a serious indictable offence and reckless wounding when his matters were heard in Broadmeadow Children’s Court on Wednesday.

A 13-year-old boy also accused of being involved and charged with aggravated break and enter to commit a serious indictable offence and breach of bail was refused bail while three other teens – two girls aged 15 and a boy aged 14 – were granted release for their alleged involvement in the shocking incident.

Daniel Lowe – former star surfer at the Merewether Surfboard Club was stabbed in a violent home invasion at his mothers home in Merewether on Tuesday 19th September 2023. Facebook

The crime scene at Coane St, Merewether where Daniel Lowe was stabbed. Picture: Dan Proudman

A 15-year-old girl and 14-year-old boy faced charges of aggravated break and enter to commit a serious indictable offence while the other 15-year-old girl only had a charge of breach of bail.

Former gun surfer and rugby union player Daniel Lowe, 49, remains in intensive care after police say he came running to the aid of his elderly mum, 75, when he heard screams at her Merewether home at about 3am on Tuesday.

Police allege the Lowes were confronted by four teenagers inside the Coane St home before a “scuffle” broke out and Mr Lowe suffered four stab wounds to the abdomen, one to the thigh and one to the leg.

Mr Lowe – a former NSW schoolboys and Merewether Carlton rugby union star as well as former champion of the famed Merewether Surfboard Club – underwent hours of surgery after sustaining damage to his stomach and liver and remains in an induced coma as he recovers.

His mother, Nadine, suffered non life-threatening wounds to her hands in the alleged home invasion and was taken to John Hunter Hospital, but has since been released.

Police prosecutor Sgt Wally Ball told the court there were two entries into the home in the early morning.

Police enter the backyard of a home on Coane St, Merewether during their investigation. Picture: Dan Proudman

He said the first time the teens disturbed the 75-year-old after she saw a light in the kitchen and they left the Coane St home. But after a meeting, the boys of the group decided to go back in, where they were confronted by Mr Lowe.

Mr Ball handed up CCTV photographs which he alleged showed all teens present when they disposed of a bloody shirt and knife – which were later recovered in a drain – trying to “move evidence” to “assist the primary offender”.

The court heard one of the 15 year old girls was also carrying a jacket – seen in CCTV and images – which was allegedly the clothing of the main offender.

“It is quite clear she is heavily involved,” Sgt Ball said.

He said she was prepared to engage in behaviour which sought to distribute evidence and affect the police investigation and had no remorse.

While the other 15-year-old girl – only charged with breach of bail – had been found in possession of red shoes which were also allegedly worn by the “primary offender”.

The court also heard the knife used was a “multi-tool” and it was “not something to be done quickly” so the alleged offenders would have had to prepare before they entered the house a second time.

In granting bail to three of the teens, Magistrate Andrew Eckhold said all had no criminal history or it was limited and were vulnerable with Aboriginal backgrounds.

Six teens have been charged after the alleged home invasion. Picture: Dan Proudman

Each received strict conditions attached which included curfews, not to enter the suburb of Merewether, not to have any contact with their co-accused and were bailed at various addresses with their parents or a family member.

The court heard the 13-year-old boy, who was last to apply for bail, had an extensive criminal history with a number of breaches of bail and offences of police pursuit, which prompted Magistrate Eckhold to refuse bail saying he felt conditions would be unable to stop him offending further.

“Part of a pattern of behaviour, no condition proposed to reduce the risk to the community,” he said.

The matters of all five teens were adjourned until November.

A sixth teen, a 14-year-old girl who was charged with goods in personal custody suspected being stolen, was granted strict conditional bail on Tuesday and will appear in court on October 9.

Detectives are also investigating whether there are any links with two other attempted home invasions on nearby Ranclaud and Frederick streets a few minutes before Mr Lowe was stabbed.

The exclusive seaside suburb had become a target for young burglars and had prompted a specific investigation, dubbed Strike Force Badger, to be established in January to investigate break and enters and the theft of cars.