An elderly man who stabbed his son-in-law in a “flagrant act of vigilantism” at Sydney’s Central Station will spend at least four years and nine months behind bars.
Warren John Greenup, 74, told police he intended to kill Cameron Parkin — after learning of allegations he assaulted his daughter — when he attacked him in December 2021.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Moment elderly man stabs son-in-law at Central Station
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The stabbing took place less than a metre from Greenup’s wife and Parkin’s four-year-old daughter — Greenup’s granddaughter — who was being dropped off by her dad and picked up by her grandparents at the train station in a pre-arranged meeting.
Several members of the public were also nearby when the attack occurred.
Greenup pleaded guilty to one charge of causing wounding with intent to commit murder in November last year, before his trial was due to go ahead.
He was sentenced in the Downing Centre District Court on Wednesday to a prison term of eight years, with a non-parole period of four years and nine months.
CCTV of the attack shows Greenup approach Parkin from behind and stab him in the back, as he stands behind his daughter.
Parkin is then seen turning around and pushing Greenup to the ground, before the older man gets back up and chases him through the station’s concourse.
“Help me, I’ve been stabbed,” the court heard Parkin say as he was being chased.
Greenup ceased the attack after a member of the public told him to drop the knife.
Parkin was taken to hospital for treatment to his stab wounds and Greenup was arrested.
Following his arrest, the court heard Greenup told police: “It was premeditated. I’ve been planning it for a while. I wanted to kill the bastard.
“He’s been a c*** to my daughter,” Greenup alleged to police.
“He’s made everyone’s life hell.”
The court heard the pair had known each other since when Greenup’s daughter began dating Parkin, who she later married.
The pair had been separated at the time of the stabbing.
Greenup admitted to planning the attack on Parkin after learning of allegations he had assaulted his daughter.
“That was my intent — kill him,” Greenup told police.
Before leaving his home that day, the 74-year-old packed the kitchen knife and a month’s worth of his medication because he knew he would be taken into custody, the court heard.
Judge Hunt described the attack as being a “brazen” and “flagrant act of vigilantism”.
“The offence was committed in the middle of the day in a public concourse within central railway station,” he said.
“A number of members of the public were in relatively close proximity.
“Judging from their reactions, many of them seem to have been disturbed by what they observed.”
Judge Hunt said the fact that the stabbing took place in front of Greenup’s four-year-old granddaughter, and the fact that a knife was used, were aggravating circumstances.
“(She) saw her grandfather stabbing her father,” the judge said.
The court heard Greenup had no criminal history prior to the stabbing and had been of good behaviour.
At the time of the attack, he had been suffering a major depressive episode and believed he was attempting to protect his daughter, Judge Hunt said.
The judge found there was some “level of provocation” but Greenup had overreacted.
“The fact that he had no remorse for that and continues to blame the victim makes it impossible to consider he has good prospects of rehabilitation,” Judge Hunt said.
Judge Hunt found special circumstances in the case as it was Greenup’s first time in custody and an extended period of supervision would benefit his rehabilitation.
Greenup has been in custody since he was arrested following the stabbing and his sentence was backdated to that date.
He will be eligible for parole in September 2026.
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