Home

Seaford stabbing: Scarlett Taylor won’t face jail for hurling abuse, bottle before fatal fight

Caroline SchelleNCA NewsWire
: Friends and work colleagues mourn the death of Cameron Smith at a roadside tribute near the Seaford train station where he was allegedly murdered. NCA NewsWire / Chris Hopkins
Camera Icon: Friends and work colleagues mourn the death of Cameron Smith at a roadside tribute near the Seaford train station where he was allegedly murdered. NCA NewsWire / Chris Hopkins Credit: Supplied

A Melbourne woman won’t face more jail time for hurling abuse and a glass bottle in a fight that left tradie Cam Smith dead.

Scarlett Taylor pleaded guilty to affray and bail offences in relation to the incident where Mr Smith was attacked while trying to defend his girlfriend at Seaford train station in November 2020.

The 26-year-old carpenter died at the scene after he was allegedly stabbed through the heart by Jack Ledlin, who previously pleaded not guilty to murder and has yet to face trial.

Ms Taylor appeared before the Supreme Court of Victoria on Monday for a pre-sentence hearing and apologised through her lawyer Megan Casey.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW
Supplied Editorial Scarlett Taylor
Camera IconScarlett Taylor has pleaded guilty to affray for her role in a fight that ended up with tradie Cameron Smith dead. Photo: Supplied Credit: Supplied

“I didn’t want any of this to happen. There’s a lot I’d like to say but it’s really hard to convey it,” she said.

“I’m grieving him too … he will always be a part of me.

“I’m really sorry,” Ms Taylor said.

She thought about Mr Smith’s girlfriend Natasha Stroumas “all the time” and couldn’t imagine being in a similar position.

Taylor started hurling insults at the woman as the couple walked past her and her Mr Ledlin in Seaford on November 26.

Taylor had a fight with Ms Stroumas in 2019 over a bottle of alcohol, the court was told.

“F---ing fat b--ch,” Taylor yelled at her.

She threw a glass bottle at the woman’s feet and the fight erupted, with three males including Mr Ledlin involved in the brawl.

Tradie Cam Smith was allegedly murdered by Jack Ledlin in a fatal fight. Supplied
Camera IconTradie Cam Smith was allegedly murdered by Jack Ledlin in a fatal fight. Supplied Credit: Supplied

“Get the f--k back sl-t,” she yelled at the other woman after throwing the bottle.

“She was smashing the bottle to prevent Ms Stroumas from going to the aid of her partner,” defence lawyer Megan Casey said on Monday.

But she wasn’t involved in the physical fight and was remorseful for her role, Ms Casey said.

Prosecutor Grant Hayward said Taylor’s behaviour was “hostile and insulting” from the outset and she lied to police when questioned about others who were at the scene.

He said the 21-year-old woman had an “axe to grind” with Ms Stroumas because of their earlier fight over the alcohol and was loyal to Mr Ledlin, he said.

It was a “nasty” affray and she was “assisting” the boys, Mr Hayward told the court.

A 17-year-old boy who cannot be named for legal reasons, and 19-year-old Liam Casley were sentenced for their role in the fight but are not accused of involvement in Mr Smith’s alleged murder.

Jack Ledlin has been charged with murder over the fatal stabbing of tradie Cameron Smith at Seaford in November 2020.
Camera IconJack Ledlin has been charged with murder over the fatal stabbing of tradie Cameron Smith at Seaford in November 2020. Credit: Supplied

Casley was jailed for eight months, with an eight-month community corrections order for affray, while the minor was ordered to serve a 12-month youth supervision order.

Both kicked Mr Smith as he lay dying on the ground.

“I still can’t understand no matter how many times I think of it that someone did that,” Justice Michael Croucher said on Monday.

However, the judge said he had taken into consideration Taylor’s disadvantaged background, which included witnessing violence from a young age and her improved behaviour while living with her sister.

“Given the submissions I’ve heard your client will not be going to jail or a return to jail,” Justice Croucher said.

He instead planned to impose a community corrections order that would include alcohol, drug and mental health issues.

Taylor had spent 136 days on remand but was on bail and will be formally sentenced next month.

Originally published as Seaford stabbing: Scarlett Taylor won’t face jail for hurling abuse, bottle before fatal fight

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails