Boy charged with murder after Sydney father stabbed in Mount Druitt

A 13-year-old boy has been charged with murder after a man was stabbed to death in Sydney's west on Friday evening. Emergency services were called to the suburb of Mount Druitt, where police found 36-year-old Joshua Smith with stab wounds to his torso. Paramedics treated Mr Smith, but he died at the scene. The Guardian and the Daily Mail both reported on the fatal stabbing. [1][2][4]

According to the Daily Mail, Mr Smith was a father of three who was allegedly stabbed twice near Mount Druitt train station just before 9pm. Police allege that Mr Smith recognised a group of young people and stopped to check how they planned to get home while trying to help younger family friends. The Guardian reported that Mr Smith had withdrawn cash to give to some young people when he was allegedly attacked. The Daily Mail noted that the 13-year-old boy charged with his murder was already on bail at the time of the attack. [1][2]

Police arrested the 13-year-old boy on Sunday at Mount Druitt police station before charging him with murder, according to the Guardian. The Guardian also reported that a second boy, aged 16, has been charged in relation to the stabbing death. The 13-year-old suspect cannot be identified for legal reasons. [1][2]

The incident comes amid wider youth crime concerns in the region. As FTMQ News reported earlier, a 13-year-old was recently charged after a group of five teenagers allegedly stole $1,000 worth of alcohol from a bottle shop in Narellan Vale in southwest Sydney, an incident also reported by SMH.com.au. [3][7]