Court hears fatal Newcastle group stabbing attack was plannedBy Giselle Wakatama and Nakita JagerABC NewcastleTopic:Courts1h ago1 hours agoThu 8 May 2025 at 9:17amJames Callahan was killed on Beaumont Street in Newcastle in November 2024. (Supplied: Sally Callahan)In short:James Callahan died after being stabbed multiple times by a group in Newcastle in November last year.Seven people are charged in connection to his alleged murder.What's next?All seven are due back in court on June 11.abc.net.au/news/court-told-group-planned-james-callahan-fatal-stabbing/105270554Link copiedShareShare articleSupreme Court documents regarding a fatal stabbing in Newcastle allege the incident involved multiple attackers and was planned.James Callahan, 22, was stabbed in Beaumont Street, Hamilton, in the early hours of November 17 last year.The Supreme Court has released documents to the media of redacted police facts that were tendered to the court as part of a bail hearing.The documents said Mr Callahan and a friend stopped at a late-night eatery and first came into contact within the group at 2:15am.They said Mr Callahan made a comment about one member of the group littering.By 3:30am, he was pronounced dead.Timeline of attackThe court documents gave a timeline of events after Mr Callahan and his friend left the eatery at 2:35am.A man, 22, was fatally stabbed on Beaumont Street in Hamilton on Sunday. (ABC Newcastle: Giselle Wakatama)"At 2:38am, the victims are captured on CCTV walking south and reaching the Australia Post office," the documents read.At this point, two cars performed U-turns, and group members got out, including one with a metal bar.The documents alleged a woman in the group yelled, "Motherf***er" and, "Smash him", encouraging the group to further assault Mr Callahan.The police facts alleged the same woman stabbed Mr Callahan three times in the abdomen and chest, as others kicked him.Then others arrived, including another man allegedly armed with a knife.He allegedly tried to stab Mr Callahan's friend before focusing on the wounded man."The man was forced to retreat, leaving Mr Callahan to the mercy of multiple attackers," the document read.The court documents alleged the knife-wielding man then "stood over Mr Callahan and stabbed him at least twice in the back".Another group member hit him, before he scrambled to his feet."Callahan stood up, completely defenceless and suffering multiple stab wounds," the document read.At that point, the group members got into cars and fled the scene.Cars in convoyPolice facts alleged plans were in motion to assault Mr Callahan from the moment the littering comment was made.James Callahan was allegedly murdered after a group of people attacked him on a popular Newcastle street. (Supplied: Sally Callahan)"There was a level of planning and coordination to this attack," the facts alleged."Two SUVs were seen travelling in convoy, a woman was seen using her mobile phone — it is believed she was coordinating the vehicles."The facts alleged the stabbing was intended to cause serious harm."The level of violence in this attack by the co-accused is overwhelming and there can be no doubt the group were intent on committing at least grievous bodily harm upon the victim, in company," the documents read.Ryan Sampson, Jason Talbot, George James Fernando, Frank Allen and Alivia Briggs have each been charged with murder.Dianne Fernando faces a charge of principal in the second degree to murder.Teelah Cooper is charged with being an accessory after the fact to murder.The redacted police facts were released by the Supreme Court last week, when Ms Cooper was granted bail.The group of seven is due back in court on June 11.ABC Newcastle — local news in your inboxGet our local newsletter, delivered free each WednesdayYour information is being handled in accordance with the ABC Privacy Collection Statement.Email addressSubscribePosted 1h ago1 hours agoThu 8 May 2025 at 9:17amShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Top StoriesSecond minister booted from cabinet as PM prepares reshuffleLIVEPhoto shows Ed Husic wearing a blue suit sitting in an office.More women in Labor than ever but top jobs still going to menBAnalysis by Brett WorthingtonPhoto shows Anika Wells Amanda Rishworth Katie Gallagher Anne AlyJacinta Nampijinpa Price joins Liberal Party as leadership race heats upTopic:Political Parties and MovementsPhoto shows A close up shot of a woman wearing a white blazer and black and white shirt.Conclave's second day begins with more black smoke as voting continuesTopic:Religious LeadersPhoto shows Black smoke spewing from a chimney.Cabinet ministers Mark Dreyfus, Ed Husic scrapped from new Albanese ministryTopic:Political LeadershipPhoto shows a composite image of two men wearing suitsRelated storiesPolice allege man was stabbed in Newcastle over a 'simple' comment about litteringTopic:CrimePhoto shows a police van blocking a streetRelated topicsCourtsHomicideNewcastlePoliceTop StoriesSecond minister booted from cabinet as PM prepares reshuffleTopic:Government and PoliticsPhoto shows Ed Husic wearing a blue suit sitting in an office.More women in Labor than ever but top jobs still going to menBAnalysis by Brett WorthingtonJacinta Nampijinpa Price joins Liberal Party as leadership race heats upTopic:Political Parties and MovementsConclave's second day begins with more black smoke as voting continuesTopic:Religious LeadersCabinet ministers Mark Dreyfus, Ed Husic scrapped from new Albanese ministryTopic:Political LeadershipJust InMan walks free after fatally stabbing sister's boyfriend five timesTopic:Courts30m ago30 minutes agoThu 8 May 2025 at 10:02amFormer Liberal MP Katie Allen announces diagnosis of rare cancerTopic:Government and Politics34m ago34 minutes agoThu 8 May 2025 at 9:59amConclave's second day begins with more black smoke as voting continuesTopic:Religious Leaders25m ago25 minutes agoThu 8 May 2025 at 10:07amOprah was the face of Weight Watchers. Her exit foreshadowed the brand's bankruptcyTopic:Explainer53m ago53 minutes agoThu 8 May 2025 at 9:39amMore Just InBack to top