In a dramatic courtroom scene, Allan Francis Dunbar, 59, appeared shirtless and heavily bandaged, firmly denying the murder of 45-year-old Shane Naylor, his ex-girlfriend’s new partner. The alleged crime took place on the evening of January 7, 2022, in Toongabbie, Sydney, where Dunbar claims jealousy and animosity may have motivated the actions leading to Naylor’s death, reportedly due to a personal feud intensified by past altercations.
The trial, being held in the NSW Supreme Court, has the jury hearing crucial evidence, including a recorded police interview where Dunbar expressed a striking indifference towards Naylor’s death. “To be honest, I don’t care he’s dead – he’s a piece of shit,” Dunbar told officers during the questioning at Mount Druitt police station, firmly asserting, “I’m not a murderer.”
According to the prosecution, Naylor was fatally stabbed in the heart with a box cutter during an altercation with Dunbar, who had been embittered by Naylor’s relationship with his former partner, Erin Rogers. Tensions escalated further when Naylor allegedly stole Dunbar’s $270 silver and gold eagle ring, alongside his wallet and bank card, prompting Dunbar to confront him.
During the police interview, Dunbar described Naylor as a bully who exploited weaker individuals. He recounted being physically overpowered in a previous encounter before returning to confront Naylor, which he claims led to an encounter where he was “slashed” with a box cutter. Following the incident, Dunbar stated he fled, armed himself with a piece of wood for protection, and sought refuge under a car, eventually hiding in a nearby vacant house.
Witness testimony has painted a vivid picture of the events, revealing Dunbar’s deteriorating emotional state during the confrontation. He alleges that a neighbour intervened in the fight, striking Naylor before Dunbar himself was harmed. When presented with evidence suggesting he had been seen washing his hands after the incident, Dunbar explained it was an effort to remove grease from hiding beneath the vehicle.
Further complicating matters, there are claims by Rogers that Dunbar retrieved a box cutter from a toolbox prior to the fatal encounter, challenging his assertion of self-defence. As the trial continues, the jury will need to untangle the complex narrative of jealousy, animosity, and violence that culminated in Naylor’s tragic death. The proceedings are set to resume on Thursday.