Man who killed paramedic to fight charges on mental health grounds

A young paramedic was grabbing some food on a night shift with his colleague at a McDonald’s last year when he was stabbed several times.

EXCLUSIVE

The killer of a beloved paramedic has declared he will fight his murder charge, arguing he was not in a sound “state of mind” when he stabbed the emergency responder multiple times in a McDonald’s carpark.

Jordan Fineanganofo, 22, is accused of attacking paramedic Steven Tougher who was grabbing some food on a night shift with a colleague at Campbelltown McDonald’s in Sydney’s southwest at 5.30am on April 14.

Mr Tougher was rushed to Liverpool Hospital in critical condition, but later died.

Fineanganofo was Tasered and arrested by police at the scene.

He was charged with the paramedic’s murder as well several offences relating to a “mini rampage” he conducted ahead of the stabbing.

On Friday morning, Javid Faiz from Sydney Criminal Law Specialists entered pleas of not guilty to all of the charges on behalf of Mr Fineanganofo. The case will now go to trial in the NSW Supreme Court.

Mr Faiz told news.com.au the defence case will rely heavily on mental health reports of the accused.

“There will be an argument of state of mind,” he said.

The matter will next be in court on May 31 with a trial date set for November 4.

The trial is set to begin on November 4. Picture: Supplied

Jordan Fineanganofo was charged with the murder of paramedic Steven Tougher. Picture: Supplied

Mr Tougher had been in the job for about a year and married his wife Madison five weeks before his death.

Health Minister Ryan Park labelled the stabbing a “dark day” for the people of NSW.

“We support you, and we thank you and this loss will never be forgotten,” he said in tribute shortly after the incident.

“It highlights the very real dangers all of our emergency personnel face and the risks they face when they put on that uniform each and every day.”

At the time, NSW Health Secretary Susan Pearce choked back tears as she expressed her condolences to Tougher’s wife and family.

“The health system is one big family and to lose someone in this way is incomprehensible to us,” Pearce said.

“Everything conceivable that we can do to support the loved ones of our paramedic will be done.

The fatal stabbing came four years after NSW Ambulance introduced a body-worn camera pilot in Sydney’s Eveleigh, Liverpool and Hamilton stations to help keep paramedics safer on the job.

In 2019, there were more than 400 reported incidents of occupational violence against paramedics.

Tougher remembered by loved ones

Mr Tougher’s wife Madison was pregnant at the time of the horrific incident and gave birth to their daughter in May. She named her Lily-Mae Stevie Tougher, as a way of honouring her late husband.

NSW Ambulance officer Steve Tougher and his wife Madison Tougher as seen on social media. Picture: Supplied

“Lily-Mae, Steve always loved that name but I was a little bit hesitant on that name,” she told A Current Affair.

“But Steve just loved it the whole pregnancy and then I just thought I would add Stevie, so she’s got a little part of her dad.”

Lily-Mae Stevie Tougher became a beacon of hope for the family. Picture: A Current Affair

Born on May 18 weighing just 4.1kg and measuring 48cm, Lily-Mae has brought joy to her family’s life in a time of grief.

“Some of the darkest days she’s just made so much happier,” Ms Tougher said.

“Your dad would be so proud of you... she’s brought so much love and happiness to everyone’s life and my life especially.”

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Originally published as Man who killed paramedic to fight charges on mental health grounds