Accused pub killer kept drinking after fatal punch, court hears
A Sydney man accused of fatally punching a man at a north-west Sydney pub kept drinking at another hotel after the incident, despite telling the court he feared for his safety before the fight.
Terekia Singapu, 45, also known as Huo Kiri, of Marayong, has pleaded not guilty to assault causing the death of Paul Griffin, 55.
The incident allegedly occurred at the Ettamogah Pub in Kellyville Ridge during Melbourne Cup celebrations on November 5, 2024.
Giving evidence on Monday at Penrith District Court, Singapu repeatedly said he "was scared" and was "in danger".
"I didn't want to turn my back on them, they looked like they were gonna attack me," Singapu told the court.
He also admitted that after punching Griffin and being escorted from the venue, he went with his cousin and another friend to the Carousel Inn Hotel, now the Woodstock Hotel, where they kept drinking.
Crown prosecutor Rossi Kotsis put it to Singapu that he could have left the table after being told to "f--k off", but stayed.
"You didn't go outside to your cousin and say 'let's leave'," Kotsis said.
"You chose to stay there … you were fired up, you were ready to fight."
Singapu denied the accusation and maintained he was scared and in danger before swinging at Griffin.
The court heard both men had been at the pub for much of the day. Singapu arrived in the morning with friends and his cousin, while Griffin was there from noon with work associates, friends and family.
The defence told the court Singapu's cousin had called an Uber and was waiting outside while Singapu stayed to finish a last beer. He struck up a conversation with Griffin's friend of 40 years, Silu Lotoaniu, that allegedly turned into an argument over football.
It is alleged Griffin then told Singapu to "f--k off, f--k off back to Mt Druitt, f--k off to where you came from".
Griffin is the owner-operator of Griffin Air Conditioning and a respected member of the Hills sporting community. He was rushed to hospital with catastrophic head injuries and later died.
Singapu was arrested the day after the incident at a Glendenning house and taken to Riverstone Police Station.
The trial continues.
Jonathan Jackon, 29th September 2026
