AAP


A man who was fatally stabbed by his former partner had gone to her family home in Sydney's inner west on Mother's Day "with intent to attack", a court has been told.


Jessica Silva, 22, was granted bail on Tuesday over the murder of 28-year-old James Polkinghorne, with whom she had a two-year-old son.


The boy has not seen his mother since she was charged over the May 13 incident in Livingstone Rd, Marrickville.


She wept in Sydney's Central Local Court, which heard she stabbed him four to five times in the back before he was pronounced dead at hospital.


Crown solicitor Victoria Garrity said the victim arrived at the Silva family home about 9pm (AEST) and got into a struggle with Silva's father and brother in the street.


Silva went outside and appeared "aggressive" before she ran back into the house and returned seconds later with a knife, Ms Garrity said.


Polkinghorne also suffered bruising to his face, which appeared consistent with allegations that he was held down at one point, the court heard.


No one else has been charged over the incident.


Silva's barrister Greg James, QC, said the victim and the accused had been in a violent relationship and a murder conviction was unlikely.


"He came to the house with the intent ... to attack," Mr James said.


"The likelihood of a verdict of manslaughter by provocation and self-defence is very high indeed."


Magistrate John Andrews granted Silva strict conditional bail.


She was released on $215,000 surety and ordered to reside at her grandmother's house, two doors down from the home where the incident occurred.


Silva is not to speak to nearby residents, some of whom are witnesses.


Her matter will come before Downing Centre Local Court on February 5.