One of five young men who had been due to stand trial over the murder of a teenager at a Sydney house party has been granted bail after pleading guilty to affray.
Sione Fieilo Denzel Taulepa Mayol, 25, has been in custody for more than a year after he was arrested on May 18, 2021.
Crown prosecutor Victoria Garrity on Tuesday in the NSW Supreme Court said Mayol's role was the least serious out of the group charged.
"He is not physically involved in the altercation," Ms Garrity said.
Alex Ioane, 18, died in hospital after he was found with serious head injuries following a brawl outside a home at Ingleburn on May 24, 2019.
Justice David Davies in November 2021 sentenced a juvenile who cannot be named for legal reasons over the murder of the teenager at the 16th birthday party.
The judgment is restricted but court documents show he pleaded guilty to murder and had been under the influence of drugs and alcohol at the time.
Ahead of the remaining group's trial in July one young man who cannot be named pleaded guilty to manslaughter, while another pleaded guilty to affray.
Mateaki Taumalolo, 21 and Suliasi Taumalolo, 23, also pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of affray alongside Mayol.
Defence barrister Carolyn Davenport SC said her client had not presented to police for almost two years and could be seen as avoidant, but fully co-operated following his arrest by participating in an electronic interview.
The court was told some of the group were involved in violence inside the house party before it was shut down and spilled out onto the street.
Mayol ran to join a group of young males surrounding Mr Ioane who was being "kicked and stomped on a number of times," Justice Davies said.
"By running in to join the group of males assaulting the deceased ... his actions contributed to the aggressive presence at the scene and contributed to the threat of violence to the deceased."
While the judge said he would be sentenced to full-time prison for his role, the non-parole period would likely be less than the time he'd already spent in custody.
Mayol was granted conditional bail to reside with his father in Goulburn and "a long way away from bad influences".
He must abstain from alcohol or entering licensed premises, report to his local police station daily, while his father forfeited $5000 in security.
Justice Davies will sentence the young men at a later date.
