A teenager who fatally stabbed a young expectant father in front of horrified crowds at the Sydney Royal Easter Show has been sentenced, with the possibility of parole as early as next year.
A Fatal Confrontation Rooted in Gang Rivalry
The New South Wales Supreme Court heard that on 11 April 2022, the then 14-year-old attacker stabbed 17-year-old Uati 'Pele' Faletolu in the chest. The confrontation was linked to rival gangs from western Sydney, with Uati associated with the '67' group from Doonside and his assailant linked to the 'Ready For Anything' (RFA) group from Mount Druitt.
Uati, who was working as a ride attendant at the showground, was unarmed when he was confronted by a group of RFA members. Justice Peter Garling described how the killer, standing behind two associates, reached through a gap and delivered a single stab wound to the chest in a 'sudden and quick movement... something in the order of ten seconds'.
Boastful Behaviour and a 'Fascination with Knives'
The court was presented with damning evidence of the teen's attitude following the killing. Footage of the attack was widely shared on social media, including a video recorded by the killer himself at the showground in which he said, 'GG 67 motherf***er... you thought you could pull us up motherf***er ha ha.'
Police also discovered poems and raps on the teen's phone describing the killing, with lyrics including: 'Should have worked at Maccas. Now he's dead. We smoke him up.' Justice Garling condemned the teen for being 'boastful about the success of his endeavour' and 'disrespectful to the deceased and his family'.
The judge noted the teenager had a 'fascination with knives' and even named his weapons; the knife used in the killing was called 'Barbie'. The murder weapon has never been recovered.
Sentencing and a Life Cut Short
Now aged 18, the offender was found not guilty of murder as the court ruled he did not have the 'necessary intention' to kill. He pleaded guilty to manslaughter last month. On Friday, he was sentenced to seven years in prison, with a non-parole period of four years and three months.
With time already served in custody since his arrest, he will be eligible for release on parole from 14 October 2026.
The tragedy was compounded by the revelation that Uati was soon to become a father. His pregnant girlfriend, Taylor Piliae, told his funeral he had taken the job at the Easter Show to earn money for their baby. 'I wish I had 10 more minutes with you to tell you how much you're appreciated. You would have been the best dad,' she said. She later gave birth to their son in November 2022, naming him Uati in his father's honour.
