It was a chaotic scene in the rear yard of the home in Edith Street on the night of September 25, 2018, a situation fueled by methamphetamine and resentment that quickly swirled out of control.

Smith, now 36, on Monday pleaded guilty to manslaughter over the death of Mr Sams, admitting he was responsible for causing his death when he drove a large car into a small backyard and pinned Mr Sams, a much-loved and talented young man, against what was his late grandfather's workshop.

"Ewan was loved by family and friends," Mr Sams' mother, Janelle Sams, told the Newcastle Herald this week. "He was also a gifted chef, he wrote music, was artistic and was embarking into metal work. He was a gifted young man."

Smith, who had a "toxic" level of methamphetamine coursing through his veins at the time of Mr Sams' death, was expected to face a murder trial in Newcastle Supreme Court this week but his plea to the lesser charge of manslaughter was accepted by the prosecution when he was arraigned on Monday.

He will face a sentence hearing on Thursday.

Mrs Sams described the last few years of her son's life as "mayhem" that only made sense when he disclosed some childhood trauma.

The fast-moving situation that led to Mr Sams' death that night was sparked by a break-up with his ex-partner, Kirby Armstrong, and a dispute about Mr Sams being owed money and Ms Armstrong wanting him to return her possessions, according to an agreed statement of facts.

The pair argued in the days before Mr Sams' death and text message exchanges reveal an ugly break-up that included Mr Sams telling Ms Armstrong her belongings were being stolen from his house.

Ms Armstrong went to Mr Sams' house and called Smith to meet her there with a trailer, but they were told to leave and not come back until Ms Armstrong had the $290 Mr Sams said he was owed.

They left and further text messages seemed to indicate Mr Sams was burning Ms Armstrong's things in a fire in his backyard.

Smith and Ms Armstrong returned to the house in Edith Street and Smith crashed his Nissan Patrol into the gate, prompting Mr Sams to confront them with a baton.

"Ewan's actions were [in self-defence] as he would have been terrified," Mrs Sams told the Herald.

Ms Armstrong got out of the car and later told police she could see Mr Sams walking to and from a fire in his backyard with her possessions.

When Mr Sams grabbed Ms Armstrong, Smith drove his car into the backyard.

As the confrontation escalated and became violent, Smith told police he tried to reverse out of the yard but hit a pole and could no longer back up.

With Mr Sams holding a metal pole in one hand and throwing a paver at the car with the other, Smith drove forward at Mr Sams and into the garage, pinning Mr Sams and inflicting the injuries that caused his death.

Smith and Ms Armstrong then reversed out of the yard and went to Cessnock police station.

The pair were arrested that night but Smith - who blood tests would reveal had a potentially fatal level of methamphetamine in his system - was not charged with murder until June, 2020.

The issue at the trial was likely to have been whether Smith had the intent to kill or cause really serious injury to Mr Sams when he drove at him in his backyard.

Through his plea, the prosecution accepts he did not have that intention and did not know the probable consequence of his actions was the death of Mr Sams.

Ms Armstrong was not charged over Mr Sams' death, but the same strike force that ultimately charged Smith with murder also charged her with drug supply and other offences.

She was jailed last year for a maximum of four years, with a non-parole period of two years and three months.

Smith was also jailed last year for drug supply and is not eligible for parole on that sentence until March 16.

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