Hamilton stabbing: Jason Talbot, Alivia Briggs charged with murder of James Callaghan on Beaumont Street

A 22-year-old man stabbed to death in Newcastle over the weekend has been identified, as police reveal why two people charged with his murder are suspected of attacking him.

James Callaghan was stabbed to death on a street in Newcastle over the weekend. Picture: Screen shot of mobile phone footage of the incident

Police suspect the man stabbed to death in a Newcastle street fight over the weekend was attacked because he had “made a comment to a group of people about littering”.

A senior officer described the alleged murder as “shocking” and “distressing” on Tuesday, when the dead man was identified as 22-year-old Newcastle resident James Callaghan.

Superintendent Kylie Endemi, the Newcastle City Police District commander, told reporters the 22-year-old had gone to Beaumont St, in the suburb of Hamilton, to have a meal after finishing work in the early hours of Sunday morning.

“He simply made a comment to a group of people about littering,” Supt Endemi said at a press conference.

“As a result of that comment, we will allege a group of people attacked him.

A still image from mobile phone footage of an attack on Beaumont St, Hamilton, where a 22-year-old man was stabbed and later died. Picture: Supplied

“We will then allege the victim left the area with a friend, walking up Beaumont St, and further allege a group of people attacked this victim on a second occasion.

“He suffered significant wounds and unfortunately passed away as a result of those injuries.”

Supt Endemi would not comment on the suspected murder weapon, saying it formed part of a “live investigation”.

The senior officer also addressed footage showing the incident, calling it “shocking” and “distressing”.

“Police are just as concerned about this incident as the community,” she said.

“Our thoughts are absolutely with (Mr Callaghan’s) family, which is suffering any family’s worst nightmare at the moment.”

“Our strike force investigators have worked extremely hard and (are) putting a lot of effort in relation to this investigation because we are driven by that and the seriousness of the matter.”

Supt Endemi addressed the media following the arrests of two people, who are now behind bars on remand after being charged with Mr Callaghan’s murder.

North Lambton man Jason Talbot, 27, was arrested at Waratah Police Station at 11am on Monday.

The building labourer and father did not appear on Tuesday in Newcastle Local Court, when Legal Aid solicitor Daniel Larratt said the 27-year-old would not be applying for bail.

The court heard Talbot was also accused of a breach of bail, which he did not admit.

However, after reading material before the court, magistrate Janine Lacy said the breach had been established.

Meanwhile, Alivia Muriel Briggs, 33, was arrested at a bus stop in Bankstown just after 5pm on Monday.

She has also been charged with murder and did not enter a plea when her case was briefly mentioned in Bankstown Local Court on Tuesday.

Appearing on her behalf, solicitor Steven Nazarian said Briggs was not applying for bail and did not need to appear.

She was therefore remanded in custody, with her case adjourned, like Talbot’s, until January in Newcastle Local Court.

Strike Force Mannum, established by Newcastle City Police District with support from the NSW Police homicide squad, is continuing its investigation into the incident, which was captured on graphic mobile phone footage.

The footage, too graphic to release in full, shows a man being attacked by a group of people in a violent altercation that began on a footpath and spilled onto the road.

Witnesses reported the attackers punching and chasing the man, with one individual appearing to be armed.

Supt Endemi said the possibility that other people were involved in the “terribly tragic incident” formed part of the ongoing investigation.

“Knife crime is a serious crime and it is something we take extremely seriously in terms of our policing response in any community,” Supt Endemi said on Tuesday.

“A number of operations are conducted across the state in relation to knife crime, as well as our taskings on a daily basis.

“No one should have a knife in a public place. It only leads to tragedy.”

Anyone with further information or video relevant to the case has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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