Steven Tougher death: Jordan Fineanganofo charged with assault, attempted wounding

The alleged violence unleashed in the 24 hours preceding the deadly stabbing of a beloved paramedic have been revealed in court, with the accused killer facing charges in relation to two frightening incidents of knife-related attacks.

Jordan Fineanganofo who is charged the murder of Sydney Ambulance paramedic Steven Tougher now faces new charges on unrelated matters.

The alleged violence unleashed in the 24 hours preceding the deadly stabbing of a beloved paramedic have been revealed in court, with the accused killer facing charges in relation to two frightening incidents of knife-related attacks.

Jordan Fineanganofo, 22, was arrested and charged with the murder of NSW Ambulance paramedic Steven Tougher at Campbelltown on April 14

According to the police statement of facts, Fineanganofo allegedly stabbed the 29-year-old paramedic 50 times after “stalking him”.

Police established Strike Force Tapaulin to investigate the fatal stabbing, with detectives identifying three earlier incidents which allegedly took place at Blair Athol, Ingleburn and Raby on April 13 and 14 and laid a further six charges against Fineanganofo.

He was arrested at Macquarie Fields police station on July 27, remanded in custody and charged with common assault, destroying or damaging property, armed with intent, two counts of attempted wounding with intent, and stealing.

Paramedic Steven Tougher.

Court documents state on April 13, the day before the horror stabbing, Fineanganofo allegedly assaulted a woman, damaged a man’s car and was armed with a knife about 12pm at Bunnings Warehouse on Blaxland Rd, Campbelltown.

It is then further alleged in the hours leading up to Tougher’s death Fineanganofo wounded a man with intent at a 7/11 service station on Cumberland St, Ingleburn and stole a Billabong branded cooler bag container with three two-way radios about 5am.

About the same time, Fineanganofo allegedly wounded another man with intent on Spitfire Dr, Raby.

Following these incidents, on the same day Fineanganofo then allegedly murdered Steven Tougher at the Campbelltown McDonalds.

On Wednesday, following a brief mention of the new charges at Campbelltown Local Court, Fineanganofo’s lawyer Javid Faiz said his client may not even be fit to stand trial and that he was seeking a mental health assessment for the “serious charges”.

Lawyer Javid Faiz. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

Mr Faiz told the court there had been no progress on getting a justice health report which had been ordered in relation to Fineanganofo’s charges over Mr Tougher’s death.

The lawyer addressed the media outside the courtroom and said he had spoken with his client in light of the new charges.

“Currently he is going through some treatment, some mental health treatment and it is hard to take instructions at the present moment,” he said.

“The report we are requesting is in relation to him being fit for trial at the present moment.

Wreaths of condolence are laid outside McDonalds restaurant in Queen St, Campbelltown where paramedic Steven Tougher died. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Simon Bullard.

“He is suffering from a mental health issue and we would like to raise at the court from the outset.

“The matters are quite objectively serious and as the procedure follows, we don’t wish to have any further delays in the matter.”

Mr Faiz would not comment on the specific condition and whether Fineanganofo had family support. No pleas have been entered in any of the matters Fineanganofo has been charged with.

The matter will next appear before court on November 1.

At the time of Mr Tougher’s death, it was revealed he married his wife Madison only a month before and was weeks away from welcoming his second child.

Before becoming a paramedic, Mr Tougher worked as a nurse and the Nurses and Midwives Association (NSWNMA) previously paid tribute to the young father.

“Our hearts go out to Steven’s family, friends and colleagues who face this awful tragedy,” NSWNMA general secretary Shaye Candish said.

“It’s heartbreaking when a healthcare worker doesn’t get to go home. Nurses and paramedics live our lives to help others. This is just senseless.”

Fineanganofo’s lawyer Javid Faiz said his client had been undergoing extensive mental health treatment, having experienced psychosis, and included a hospital admission during his first court appearance. He said the now 22-year-old wasn’t receiving treatment at the time of Mr Tougher’s alleged murder.

In wake of his death, Mr Tougher’s family have been in talks with the state government to bring in “Steven’s Law” to increase the penalty for those who attack paramedics and other frontline workers while working.