Jacob James Callaghan, 18, and Jinaya Taylor, 19, charged after alleged birthday party murder of Matthew Callaghan at Gateshead, Lake Macquarie

A teenager has been charged with the stabbing murder of his father on the night of his own 18th birthday party.

A teenager has been charged with the stabbing murder of his father on the night of his own 18th birthday party.

Jacob James Callaghan did not appear from the cells when his matter was briefly mentioned in Belmont Local Court on Thursday – a day after he was dramatically arrested during a raid on a Hunter home.

Court documents allege Jacob Callaghan murdered Matthew Callaghan, 37, between 11.03pm and 11.49pm on the night of January 9 – Jacob Callaghan’s 18th birthday.

The teen is also facing a charge of threatening to cause injury to prevent information about an indictable offence being given to police.

Court documents allege Jacob Callaghan “did threaten to cause injury to multiple witnesses thereby intending to influence multiple witnesses not to bring material information, to wit, information about murder, to attention of police”.

Jacob James Callaghan, 18, was arrested at Shortland on Wednesday following an investigation by Lake Macquarie and homicide squad detectives. Picture: NSW Police

Police will allege there had been at a birthday party at Matthew Callaghan’s Gateshead home on January 9 before he was stabbed multiple times.

Jacob Callaghan’s girlfriend, Jinaya Taylor, also faced Belmont Local Court on Thursday charged with being an accessory after the fact to murder.

Taylor, 19, did face court and has also not been required to enter any pleas.

Police at the scene of a stabbing at Gateshead on January 9, 2025. Picture: NBN News.

Court papers allege the Moree woman did “receive, harbour, maintain and assist” Jacob Callaghan knowing he had committed murder.

Both did not make a release application and they were formally refused bail to reappear on March 19.

The pair were arrested by Strike Force Bradley investigators, made up of Lake Macquarie and homicide squad detectives, during a search warrant on a home on Long Cres, Shortland, about 5.30pm on Wednesday.

The charges came six days after emergency services were called to Matthew Callaghan’s home on Mahogany Cres, Gateshead after receiving a report of a concern for welfare.

Forensic police spent hours gathering evidence at the scene at Gateshead. Picture: NBN News.

Mr Callaghan was found with multiple stab wounds and died at the scene.