The man who fatally stabbed Tongan rugby league player Sitaleki “Leki” Filihiahekava outside a Sydney fast-food restaurant has been sentenced to more than eight years in prison.
Jacob Tammer-Spence, 33, pleaded guilty to manslaughter over the September 2024 killing of the 32-year-old outside Guzman y Gomez in Marrickville.
The NSW Supreme Court heard the confrontation between the two men lasted only about 30 seconds before Tammer-Spence stabbed Filihiahekava.
Tammer-Spence claimed he feared for his life after Filihiahekava accused him of involvement in an earlier barbershop shooting and allegedly threatened him.
However, Justice Richard Cavanagh said Tammer-Spence did not see a gun, and no firearm was found on Filihiahekava.
Tammer-Spence accepted that he had acted excessively when he swung the knife and took responsibility for causing Filihiahekava’s death.
Justice Cavanagh said the tragedy highlighted the danger of people carrying knives in public and questioned why Tammer-Spence had taken one while going to buy takeaway food.
The court took into account Tammer-Spence’s criminal history, disadvantaged background, post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental-health issues.
He was sentenced to a maximum of eight years and three months in prison and, with time already served, will be eligible for parole in April 2030.
Members of Filihiahekava’s family wiped away tears as the sentence was delivered.
The family previously described the killing as “senseless”, saying the loss of their much-loved son, brother and grandchild had affected every part of their lives.
Source: 7NEWS/AAP
