Family shed tears as court hears horrific details of Campbelltown paramedic stabbing

Speaking outside the NSW Supreme Court, Tougher’s father said decisions had been made and there was not much they could do.

“Realistically, we are not happy. “It’s that simple,” he said. “You saw how we reacted. You saw how difficult it was for us. It’s just a fact. It’s very difficult to accept other people’s opinions at face value.”

He said they are hopeful that the judge’s decision on Friday will “clear up this situation so we can start what we’re about to start.”

Summarizing the agreed facts, McKay said Tougher and his paramedic partner had been on shift since 7.45pm the night before and had stopped at the Campbelltown McDonald’s for food at around 5.11am.

He said Fineanganofo parked next to the ambulance 15 minutes later, approached Tougher with a knife in his hand and “started stabbing him without saying anything.”

Prosecutor Tougher said “What are you doing? Stop stabbing me” and tried to defend himself by pushing Fineanganofo, but “could not do anything to escape” because he was “stuck between the ambulance door and the defendant”.

The court heard Tougher fell but the stabbing continued. Tougher’s mother left court in tears and was joined by her family in the hallway. It was the first time they were hearing the graphic details of Steven’s death.

The court heard others tried to intervene but Fineanganofo turned back to Tougher and said: “I’m going to jail anyway, I’d better kill him” or “I should kill him”.

“After a short time, the defendant said to Mr. Tougher, ‘Apologize to me, apologize to me,'” the prosecutor said. He said Tougher responded: “I’m sorry for whatever you think I did, mate.”

The court stated that the attack lasted 3 minutes and 47 seconds. Tougher had a heart attack and died on the way to the hospital.

The prosecutor said it was understood that Fineanganofo “was not taking medication at the time of the crime.”

The court heard various mental health experts noted that the “first episode of psychosis” occurred following an attack involving Fineanganofo in 2021, where he experienced auditory hallucinations and showed signs of a psychotic illness consistent with schizophrenia.

Fineanganofo bowed his head and put his hands over his face during much of Monday’s speech.

He also admitted five other charges of using an offensive weapon, burglary, malicious damage to property and intimidation in relation to incidents at Bunnings Campbelltown and 7-Eleven Ingleburn on April 13 and 14, 2023, including threatening people with a knife. He didn’t. These should also be taken into account in any specific decisions the judge makes, the Crown said.

Tougher’s wife, Madison, said she “can’t put into words how awful it was” to hear the details of what happened to Steven.

“He would want us to be strong and that’s exactly what we did today, we honored him,” he said.

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