Man faces court charged with murdering 19-year-old Scot Phillips

A man has faced court charged over the death of 19-year-old Scot Phillips, but police successfully argued for his identity to remain a secret.

The man accused of murdering 19-year-old Scot Phillips in what police have described as a brazen ambush attack earlier this week has faced court for the first time - but police have successfully applied for his identity to remain a secret.

The man, who cannot be identified at this time but has been charged with one count of murder, was silent as the court heard prosecutors would need twelve months to obtain toxicology and DNA reports.

Mr Phillips, 19, was allegedly stabbed to death with a large knife outside of his Carey Ave home, in Seaton, on Tuesday night around 10.20pm.

Police described the attack as pre-planned, alleging that Mr Phillips was attacked after the power was cut to his home and he went outside to investigate.

Major Crime officers at the murder scene on Wednesday. Picture: Brett Hartwig

Major Crime officers at the alleged murder scene. Picture: Brett Hartwig

Police allege the charged man was known to the victim and there is no evidence to suggest anyone else was involved.

Mr Phillips had just returned from the Seaton Hotel with his housemate and his friend’s girlfriend when the attack occurred, police said.

An extensive search of the crime scene following the attack uncovered meat cleavers, knives and glass but it was unclear whether any of the items were linked to the incident.

Police officers search the scene. Picture: Brett Hartwig

In the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Friday afternoon, prosecutors asked the court for a suppression on the accused man’s identity due to ongoing witness interviews.

Magistrate Ben Sale agreed it was appropriate to keep the man’s identity a secret for at least 28 days while police finalise the investigation.

The suppression will be reviewed at an upcoming hearing next month.

Mr Phillips was described as being a “loving and a kind boy” by his older sister.

“He just wanted to be loved and he wanted a family,” Kerrie Rigney previously told The Advertiser.

Alleged murder victim Scot Phillips. Photo: Supplied by family

Alleged murder victim Scot Phillips. Photo: Supplied by family

Ms Rigney said her brother had started to get into trouble at age 14 and had once lived in a group home.

“He wasn’t meant for that world, he was too nice,” she said.

“A lot of those boys (in the group home) have been to jail … it introduced him to people he shouldn’t have known.

“He wasn’t a gangster, like some of the photos look.

“He loved animals. He loved his dog, that dog was his pride and joy.”

Police this week appealed for the drivers of two cars and an electric scooter captured on CCTV driving along Fidock Ave at the time of the attack.

The cars were described as being a small white four-door-sedan, similar to a Hyundai i30, and a dark four-door-sedan, similar in appearance to an early model Ford.

Originally published as Man faces court charged with murdering 19-year-old Scot Phillips