By The Guardian (World News) | Created at 2024-09-26 05:15:16 | Updated at 2024-09-30 15:26:01
4 days ago
A man accused of carrying out a deadly stabbing on a busy inner-Sydney street will remain behind bars while he waits for the case to return to court.
Sitaleki Filihiahekava, 32, died on Monday night after allegedly being stabbed outside a restaurant on Marrickville Road, in Marrickville in Sydney’s inner west.
Jacob Tammer-Spence, 31, was arrested on Wednesday evening and later charged with murder.
He did not appear when his case was briefly mentioned in Burwood local court on Thursday. The matter was adjourned until late November while police compile their brief of evidence.
Tammer-Spence did not apply for bail on Thursday and it was formally refused.
Some restaurants had to cease trading after the stabbing which occurred at about 7.30pm on Monday.
Police canvassed CCTV footage from the busy suburban shopping strip during their initial search for the alleged attacker.
Filihiahekava was believed to have been dining with his family at one of the local restaurants before he briefly met up with another man before he was stabbed, police said on Tuesday.
Family and friends converged on the scene after the attack.
“It was a highly emotive crime scene,” Acting Supt Ben Kennis said on Tuesday.
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Cards attached to flowers left at the scene on Tuesday morning paid tribute to “Big Leki” – a popular local rugby league player. “Rest in peace my brother,” read one.
Kennis said investigators believed the attack was “somewhat targeted”.
“It was not a random attack on Marrickville Road, the community can be assured of that,” he said.
The Mascot Juniors rugby league club paid tribute to the former player.
“Leki was a much loved player of our club who played with his heart on his sleeve (and always with a joke and a smile), every time he took the field with those he called his brothers,” the club said on social media.
