‘Heinous’ murder of 16yo boy motivated by ‘gang notoriety’, court hears

The “heinous” beating of a 16-year-old boy was motivated by “gang notoriety”, a Sydney court has heard, as the latest person implicated in the alleged murder had their bail denied.

Stacey Pale is the 10th person to be charged over Jason Galleghan’s death.

Police say he was lured to a home at Doonside, in Sydney’s west, before being fatally bashed on August 4.

It’s alleged the teenager was killed over a pair of headphones.

Police today charged Ms Pale with three offences, including murder.

She was denied bail when she fronted Mount Druitt Local Court this afternoon.

Magistrate Robin Richardson told the court Jason had been “subjected to a most heinous, grievous assault” for 33 minutes.

She said at least three videos were taken of the attack, in which the boy was told to disavow different gang groups, or kneel to kiss the shoes of an attacker.

“At one point, he pleads to his assaulters: ‘please, I’m going to pass out’,” she said.

Police allege two witnesses overhead the commotion in the house and asked Ms Pale — who they accuse of standing outside the house while the attack took place — what was going on. 

Police allege she said it was a family dispute.

Magistrate Richardson said this demonstrated a comprehension for what was going on.

“Two witnesses came to that location where this young person is at still alive, and deters two persons that could’ve stopped it,” she said.

Defence lawyer Patrick Carter said Ms Pale lived with an intellectual disability, and that jail would be tougher on her.

He said she had no criminal record, however, the Crown argued Ms Pale should remain behind bars.

Ms Pale is next due to appear in court on December 17.

Nine other people, aged between 13 and 32, have been charged over their alleged roles in the attack and remain before the courts.

They include an 18-year-old who was arrested yesterday after a police search of a unit at Kingswood, where officers seized a mobile phone and clothing.

He’s been charged with concealing the murder, and is on bail ahead of an appearance at Blacktown Court on November 25.