Alleged murderer of paramedic Steven Tougher faces Parramatta Court and does not apply for bail
Alleged killer of newly-married paramedic faces court as 21-year-old is named – as community members and political leaders continue to mourn beloved father-to-be
- Paramedic Steven Tougher passed away Friday morning
- Jordan Fineanganofo, 21, was arrested at the scene
- He appeared in court on Saturday and did not apply for bail
A 21-year-old man has appeared in court charged with the murder of a young paramedic who was fatally stabbed during a break outside a McDonalds.
Steven Tougher, 29, was nearing the end of his shift at 5.30am on Friday when he got into the back of his ambulance on Queen St in Campbelltown, a south-west Sydney suburb.
While he was taking his meal break, police claimed the back doors had been pulled open by a man who then stabbed Mr Tougher several times.
Steven Tougher, 29, was nearing the end of his shift at 5:30 a.m. Friday when he was repeatedly stabbed
He was taken to Liverpool Hospital in critical condition but later died.
Jordan Fineanganofo, 21, was arrested at the scene and taken to Campbelltown Police Station where he was later charged.
Mr Fineanganofo appeared before the Parramatta local court on Saturday morning.
He did not apply for bail and the case was adjourned until June.
Jordan Fineanganofo, 21, was arrested at the scene and taken to Campbelltown Police Station where he was later charged
Mr. Tougher, a newlywed couple whose wife is expecting their second child within weeks, has been described as a ‘beautiful soul’ by friends and family.
A GoFundMe campaign has already raised more than $120,000 for his young family.
Tributes have flowed across Australia for the paramedic who was killed on the job.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute to Mr Tougher on Twitter on Friday, calling his death “as shocking as it is tragic”.
On Friday, NSW Deputy Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said Mr Tougher “wanted nothing more than to serve his community.”
NSW Secretary of Health Susan Pearce burst into tears as she addressed the death.
“I want to express my deepest condolences to the paramedic’s wife and family,” she said.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said the stabbing was a “terrible situation” for the entire paramedic fraternity to experience.
“It’s a reminder that it’s a very difficult and dangerous job,” Mr Minns said