Inside horror Redfern housing commission killing

A man who stabbed a neighbour to death inside a housing commission block claims he was acting in self defence, a court has been told.

A Redfern man who stabbed a neighbour to death in the back with a knife sent him texts leading up to their fatal scuffle saying “no one’s going to miss you”, a court has been told.

Details of the messages sent by Richard Archer, 54, were revealed in the NSW Supreme Court on Monday as he stands trial over the death of David Wayne Bradshaw inside an inner Sydney housing commission complex last year.

The court was told that it was not disputed that Mr Archer, 49, delivered the fatal blow when he plunged the blade 17cm into Mr Bradshaw’s back in the early hours of February 16.

It’s also accepted that there was animosity between the two men after Mr Archer accused Mr Bradshaw of breaking into his 16th floor apartment.

However, Mr Archer has pleaded not guilty to murder and has claimed that he was defending himself after he was the victim of Mr Bradshaw’s drug-fuelled aggression.

Detectives and police in the foyer of the housing commission building where David Bradshaw was fatally stabbed. Picture: Steve Tyson

During opening addresses on Monday afternoon, the jury was told that a week prior to Mr Bradshaw being stabbed, Mr Archer reported to police that someone broke into his unit and stole several items.

Crown prosecutor Gareth Harrison said the next day two men came to Mr Bradshaw’s door, and he bought a laptop and a bicycle that belonged to Mr Archer from them.

Mr Archer sent a series of texts to Mr Bradshaw on February 11 accusing him of stealing his belongings, including one in which he said: “You f---ed up, left your DNA here.”

In another he said: “You would want to come talk to me and rectify this sh-t cause that ain’t the only cloud hanging over your head.

“I’m sure at some stage you’re going to get a visit again. No one’s going to miss you … I want my sh-t back or you get what you sow, d--khead.”

Police set up a command post on Morehead Road, Redfern after the fatal stabbing of David Bradshaw. Picture: Steve Tyson.

The crown said Mr Archer went to Mr Bradshaw’s apartment with a weapon, described as a taser or pistol, and demanded they go for a walk however had the door slammed in his face.

The pair came to blows when they crossed paths outside a mutual friends’ apartment around 12.40am on February 16.

According to the crown, Mr Archer came running out of the unit before threatening Mr Bradshaw with the knife that he pulled from his pants.

“The accused was demanding his property be given back to him,” Mr Harrison said.

“There was then a short scuffle between the two, and the accused stabbed Mr Bradshaw in the back with a knife.

“The force was enough that the blade penetrated not only through the skin but also through the bone of the scapula. The knife penetrated 17cm into Mr Bradshaw’s body.”

The knife pierced Mr Bradshaw’s lung and aorta, and he died at the scene.

CCTV captured Mr Archer later disposing of the knife in a bin outside a pub before he went to a friend’s house and washed his clothes.

He was arrested at about 6am at Waterloo, about 600m from the scene.

The court was told that Mr Bradshaw had a cocktail of cannabis, ecstasy and a potentially lethal dose of methamphetamine in his system at the time of his death.

Defence barrister Troy Anderson said methamphetamine could cause increased aggression and told the jury that he would be arguing that Mr Archer was acting in self defence when he produced the knife.

“He didn’t intend to kill Mr Bradshaw,” Mr Anderson said.

“The defence case is that the tragic death of Mr Bradshaw was the result of a fight between two men. A fight that was started by the deceased, Mr Bradshaw.”

The trial before Justice Peter Hamill continues.