DANIEL James Forbes helped recruit armed avengers for an escalating Raymond Terrace gang war in which deadly weapons replaced fists.

DANIEL James Forbes helped recruit armed avengers for an escalating Raymond Terrace gang war in which deadly weapons replaced fists.
Now, the teenager faces up to 25 years behind bars after admitting to the manslaughter of rival gang member Joshua Maynard, who was blasted in the chest with a sawn-off shotgun during a bloody street brawl last June.

Forbes, 19, pleaded guilty to the kill charge in Newcastle Local Court yesterday after prosecutors withdrew a murder count and another count of affray.

Two other men, including the alleged shooter, have not been required to enter pleas to murder and were yesterday ordered to stand trial in the NSW Supreme Court in August.

It follows several hours of mayhem on the streets of Raymond Terrace in June 2010, when two street gangs, which use the monikers Raymond Terrace Boyz and Lake Side Crew, came together in a series of tit-for-tat attacks.

It ended in the bloody attack where machetes, knives, swords, axes and the shotgun were used before Mr Maynard lay mortally wounded with 100 pellets in his chest.

Facts tendered yesterday said the spiral into violence started when Mr Maynard and a carload of fellow Raymond Terrace Boyz set upon Forbes and four other Lake Side Crew members who were out walking after a heavy night drinking.

Mr Maynard kneed and punched one of Forbes' mates before others set on him, causing injuries including chipped teeth and facial cuts.

The facts sheet said Mr Maynard threatened the others with "do you want to have a f---ing go" before punching at least two others in the face.

Forbes was also punched before the injured youths escaped.

They took shelter at a nearby house and called in reinforcements, including one man who allegedly arrived with a loaded sawn-off shotgun.

The facts said the Lake Side Crew then lay in wait for Mr Maynard and his mates before a confrontation near the intersection of Mount Hall Road and Links Drive just after midnight.

The car carrying Mr Maynard and his mates was attacked with sticks, bottles and stones whilst members on both sides were armed with knives, steel pipes and an axe.

The facts sheet said Mr Maynard got out of the car and started yelling "who wants to get stabbed" before being blasted with the shotgun.

More than 100 pellets were later found in Mr Maynard's chest.

The facts sheet said Forbes told police they had waited because "we would be doing something to get back at the blokes who had bashed us".

Police allege Forbes was "intent on retaliating" against Mr Maynard for his attack.

Magistrate Elaine Truscott committed Forbes for sentence in the NSW Supreme Court on August 8.