Cam Smith killed in Seaford train station stabbing
A 17-year-old smiled as details of him allegedly kicking dying Seaford tradie Cam Smith emerged in court.
South East
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The sisters of murdered tradie Cam Smith have paid tribute to their “beautiful brother” before his alleged killer faced court.
Taylah Smith said she was “broken” by the sudden, violent death of her brother.
“My brother was the most kind hearted, generous, hard working, loving person you could ever meet,” she said.
“A beautiful soul, way too good for this world. Our life will never be the same again. My heart is shattered. A piece of me is missing.”
His older sister Chantelle Smith said her brother was “taken way too soon”.
“There are no words on how we are feeling,” she said.
“There will not be a day that I will not think about you. You had such a life to live and loved by so many.”
It comes as a Somers teenager fronted court charged with the stabbing murder of a much-loved tradie Cam Smith in Seaford.
Jack Ledlin, 19, appeared for a brief filing hearing in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday after he was charged by homicide detectives late on Thursday evening.
Wearing a white hoodie, Mr Ledlin sat silently as his lawyer told the court the teenager suffered from ADHD and post-traumatic stress disorder and required daily medication while in custody.
Mr Ledlin has been charged with one count of murder and will remain behind bars until his next court appearance in March.
A 17-year-old male also arrested on Thursday has been charged with affray, intentionally causing injury and commiting offences while on bail.
The teenager smiled and sucked on an icy pole as details of him allegedly kicking a dying tradie emerged in court.
The 17-year-old was granted bail in a children’s court on Friday afternoon he was charged with affray and intentionally causing injury to Langwarrin man Cam Smith overnight.
The court heard Mr Smith, 26, and his girlfriend were “berated” by a group of three men and a woman in Seaford train station on Wednesday.
Prosecutors alleged an unknown woman smashed a bottle at the feet of Mr Smith’s girlfriend and continued to verbally attack the couple before Mr Smith rushed to his partner’s aid.
The much-loved carpenter was then allegedly set upon by the three men and a scuffle ensued.
One of the accused men, Jack Ledlin, 19, allegedly produced an “edged weapon” and stabbed Mr Smith in the heart.
The court heard Mr Smith stayed standing for about 10 seconds before collapsing to the ground.
The 17-year-old is accused of repeatedly kicking Mr Smith as he lay “bleeding out” on the ground before fleeing the scene.
He has not been charged with murder and in a police interview claimed he didn’t know his mates intended to stab Mr Smith.
Mr Ledlin, 19, was charged with one count of murder and was remanded in custody until March.
Prosecutor Gaganinder Singh said a third man had been arrested, but police were still searching for a fourth offender.
At the time of the alleged attack the accused teenager was on police bail for multiple offences including theft of a motor vehicle and burglary.
He appeared via video link for the bail application and was seen sitting with his arms crossed, smiling and eating a yellow icy pole during the hearing.
Police opposed his release, saying the young man was an unacceptable risk of reoffending and interfering with witnesses.
Magistrate Elizabeth Langdon said she had taken into account the teenager’s young age, multiple mental health diagnoses including ADHD, and his lack of criminal history when granting bail.
He will return to court in December.
Liam Casley, 18, faced the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Saturday morning charged with affray, assault and commit an offence whilst on bail.
The Frankston teen did not apply for bail and was remanded to appear at Frankston Magistrates’ Court on December 11.
His co-accused, Scarlett Taylor, 21, from Somers, also appeared in court charged with affray and assault.
She was denied bail and will remain locked up until her next court appearance at Frankston Magistrates’ Court on December 11.
Mr Smith, 26, from Langwarrin, died after being stabbed in the heart next to Seaford train station just before 7pm on Wednesday.
The carpenter had just grabbed pizza with his girlfriend, Natasha Stroumos, when a group of young girls allegedly began to verbally abuse her.
Mr Smith stepped in to defend her and within minutes was set upon by a group.
He was stabbed with a glass bottle.
Witnesses told the Herald Sun he spent his last breaths pleading for help.
“He was choking up blood and asking for help. It was terrible,” one witness said.
His father, Mick Smith, said his son was selfless and full of life.
“He had everything to live for. He was a go-getter, had a heart of gold and would help anyone, anytime,” he said.
“He was a fantastic kid. He was a great young man. He wanted to work for himself and become a registered builder.
“He wanted a family and his life was snuffed out in a matter of minutes.”
Mick said his son was up against “three to four males and a female” as he walked to his car to leave the scene.
“The female abused his girlfriend using all sort of expletives and he went to defend her,” he said.
“A bottle was broken and in that fight, he was stabbed in the heart,” he told 3AW.
Ms Stroumos paid tribute to her “beautiful man” on Facebook, saying she was “so sorry” for what had happened.
“I am so sorry this has happened to you. I love you so much my big Brenno,” she wrote.
The incident was captured on CCTV which has been seized by police.
Chief Commissioner Shane Patton described it as a “horrific attack” and urged everyone involved to hand themselves in.
“We will identify these offenders, there is no doubt about that,” he said.
“They would be better off coming forward … because it won’t take long for us to scoop them up, I don’t think.”
TRADERS DEMAND ACTION
Seaford traders and residents are calling for an increase in CCTV and other safety measures in the wake of the death of Cam Smith.
Local business owners and residents told the Sunday Herald Sun the suburb had been left in “shock” over Mr Smith’s death, saying violence had rocked the area in recent weeks.
Tracy Vuat, who recently moved into the area, said she was “extremely concerned” about violence and anti-social behaviour in the area.
“Since moving in, we have phoned triple-0 and Frankston station expressing concern about the anti-social behaviour at Seaford station, including an occurrence where a gang known to police were playing chicken’with trains and a youth was hit,” Ms Vuat said.
“I have felt unsafe many times at 5pm and 6pm in broad daylight returning from a walk as there are large groups of young adults or teens walking, drinking, spitting, swearing and fighting with one another and being a nuisance.”
Local resident and Station St trader Holly Evans said: “We’ve just noticed a real shift in the kind of people that are coming down here.
“I’m installing CCTV at my shop for me and for the safety of my staff. I also think more CCTV is needed at the station and an increased police presence.”
She said the public had also expressed concerns about violence and anti-social behaviour.
“My neighbour has lived here for 40 years and she said she’s never seen it like this,” she said. “She’s devastated and shocked.
“Everyone who lives in Seaford loves Seaford and that’s why it’s hit our community so hard.”
Guildford’s Restaurant Cafe manager Simon Ellison also called for more CCTV in the area.
“There needs to be more CCTV between the station and the intersection,” he said. “You have a high thoroughfare and traffic in these areas.”
The family’s emotional visit came as two more people faced court on Saturday charged over the tragedy. Two others faced court on Friday, and all will return to court next year.
‘BLOOD EVERYWHERE’: ONLOOKERS TRAUMATISED
About six shocked onlookers who witnessed the attack said it was a “gruesome” scene.
Dylan, 16, said he saw the altercation unfold.
“There was a man with a glass bottle and he walked over to another man and started fighting with him,” he said.
“I then saw the man fall to the ground. There was blood everywhere, it was really bad.”
Another witness said the attack had left him “traumatised”.
“He was choking up blood and asking for help, it was terrible.”
Several reports of the incident have been posted on the Seaford Community Hub Facebook group.
One woman, Annette, who did not want her surname published, said she saw emergency services conducting CPR on Mr Smith.
“It was pretty horrible and I was with my mother and baby … it was a very unpleasant scene near the beach entrance and then seeing at the station on our way back home, it just makes you feel so unsafe.”
Another resident wrote: “They had two police cars to patrol Seaford Beach tonight, so the kids hang out at the station instead. I was at 38 South for dinner after the incident.”
The Leader has previously reported on a slew of violent incidents at the beach, including a police officer who was allegedly assaulted last week after police were called in to break-up a group of alleged boozed-up thugs who crowded near the pier.
Parents and children were left shocked as they witnessed the thugs begin to allegedly fight with officers before they were doused in capsicum spray.
Dramatic footage sent to Leader shows two police officers allegedly restraining a person, while dozens of youths swarmed around them and swore at officers.
Seaford train station is closed due to a Victoria Police request and buses are replacing trains between Mordialloc and Frankston.
Any witnesses, or anyone with information, are urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au/