Steve Smith sentenced for stabbing of Paul Picone in Mudgeeraba

Former bikie was heard making a revealing comment before launching a shock stabbing attack on a man who had sexual relations with his wife.

AN ex-bikie was heard telling someone to “take care of my wife and kids” moments before he stabbed a millionaire businessman in a Gold Coast park.

Steven Edward Smith pleaded guilty in the Southport District Court this morning to grievous bodily harm and assault occasioning bodily harm.

Steve Smith (black suit) walking into the Southport Courthouse. Picture: Jerad Williams.

The court heard the 34-year-old went to the Mudgeeraba Sports field on August 1, 2018 to confront Paul Picone after he found out the millionaire had an alleged sexual encounter with his wife, Carly Smith.

Smith, a former Black Uhlans bikie, arranged for the meeting after seeing Mr Picone send a sexually suggestive message to Mrs Smith on snapchat, the court heard.

Crown prosecutor Matt Hynes told the court Smith punched Mr Picone and knocked him to the ground.

While Mr Picone was on the ground, he stabbed him with a 10cm flick knife.

Moments before the stabbing a witness heard Smith on the phone telling someone “take care of my wife and kids”.

Smith told Mr Picone that if he went to police he would “kill him”.

“What the real crux is that (Smith) was told something upsetting which triggered this,” Mr Hynes said.

“That information saw him arrange to meet Mr Picone in the park.”

Mr Hynes said Mr Picone was left with a punctured lung but had now made a full recovery.

Mr Picone, who was not at court, did not provide a victim impact statement.

Judge Katherine McGinness sentenced Smith to four years prison to be suspended on February 5 next year. He was also sentenced to 18 months prison for the assault occasioning bodily harm, to be released on parole in February next year.

“According to the complainant, he and (Smith’s) wife commenced an affair,” she said.

“I am aware through material (Smith’s) wife claims to be sexually assaulted by Mr Picone.”

Steve Smith (black suit). Picture: Jerad Williams

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Judge McGinness said she accepted Smith would have found either scenario “distressing”.

The court heard police investigated Mrs Smith’s claims of sexual assault but determined there was not enough evidence to press charges against Mr Picone.

Judge McGinness said she accepted Smith was suffering from bi-polar which would have affected his ability to control his reaction.

“When you stabbed him he was on the ground and essentially defenceless,” she said.

“The use of a knife was serious because it had the capacity to cause even more damage.”

Defence barrister Tony Kimmins, instructed by Moloney MacCallum Abdelshahied Lawyers, said Smith had been dealing with mental health issues since 2010.

He said as a teenager Smith Hhad been a part of the Penrith juniors before going on to work as a bricklayer.

He and his wife started a cleaning business and two years ago purchased a carvery in Helensvale.