‘Where am I?’: Dazed Sydney dad in court after alleged fatal stabbing 5-year-old son
Forensic police gather evidence on the street in Carlingford, Sydney, where the child's life was snuffed out in a moment of mad horror. Photo: AAP
A Sydney father accused of fatally stabbing his five-year-old son asked “where am I” during his first court appearance over the alleged murder.
The 36-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared via video link from Amber Laurel Correctional Centre, in Sydney’s outer west, a day after his son suffered stab wounds and died in a children’s hospital.
“Where am I?,” the father asked after he sat down.
“You’re at Parramatta Local Court on Saturday morning,” magistrate Michael Price said.
The father during his court mention did not apply for bail, and it was formally refused.
Detectives questioned the man on Friday after allegedly stabbing his young son at their home in Carlingford in Sydney’s north-west at about 7am.
The grandmother of the young boy, aged in her 60s, made a frantic escape in a blue sedan when the horror unfolded.
She drove about 250 metres, realised the extent of the child’s injuries and stopped to call for an ambulance
The boy was rushed to the Children’s Hospital at Westmead, but attempts to save him failed. He died an hour later at about 8am.
“The level of violence is horrendous,” NSW Police Superintendent Rob Critchlow said at the crime scene, the Carlingford home in Paul Place.
“A young boy has died from being injured in his home. It’s probably about as bad as it gets, really.”
Superintendant Critchlow said the grandmother, who wasn’t injured in the attack, did what “every grandmother would do”.
“She’s behaved in a heroic and caring manner. She’s been presented with something terrible and done her best to get the young boy to safety and to get him treatment,” he said.
“Sadly, despite her best efforts, there was nothing more she could have done.”
Paramedics treated the grandmother for shock.
The magistrate barred the 36 year-old man from contacting prosecution witnesses, including family members, except through his lawyer.
The man did not respond when his matter had finished and was told he could leave the AVL room before prison officers called to collect him.
“Do you want me to go?” the man said when approached by correctional staff.
He is scheduled to face Parramatta Local Court again on July 30.
-with AAP
