Geraldton taxi driver James Michael Greenup accused of slashing passenger with machete

A Geraldton man is fighting for his life after a taxi driver allegedly slit his throat with a machete, severing his jugular vein, after an argument turned violent in the early hours of Sunday morning. Police say the 56-year-old victim was rushed to Royal Perth Hospital after the alleged attack, which saw his jugular vein cut with a machete and left him “bleeding profusely” on the street just before 2am. The accused man, James Michael Greenup, 51, faced Geraldton Magistrate’s Court on Monday from police custody after he was arrested at 5.05am the day before, still driving for Associated Taxis in Geraldton. Prosecutor Sgt Beau Jones told the court that when questioned by police Mr Greenup admitted he was driving the taxi at the time and argued with the man but denied the “bladed incident”. “The machete was allegedly located under the lounge in his address,” he said. “I believe this highlights the steps he’s taken to hide potential evidence.” Sgt Jones said police believed Mr Greenup’s taxi was hailed on Marine Terrace at 1.40am, with two men and two women getting inside. After a number of the passengers were dropped off at an address in Beresford, police say Mr Greenup and his alleged victim got into an argument before the cabbie allegedly pulled the weapon from under his seat and slit the neck of his front seat passenger. “He was left on the road and was able to seek help from a nearby house,” Sgt Jones said. The alleged victim was taken to Geraldton Hospital for triage before being flown by the Royal Flying Doctor Service to Perth where, as of Monday afternoon, he remains in a critical condition. Sgt Jones said police held fears for the accused man’s safety as family members of the alleged victim were “understandably upset”. In court Mr Greenup did not enter a plea to a charge of grievous bodily harm, with defence lawyer George Giudice successfully arguing he should be granted bail. “He’s been in Geraldton for about six months,” he said. “He was working as a taxi driver, that probably won’t occur again in the future. He wants to obtain employment as soon as possible.” The court was told the taxi had been seized by police for a forensic examination and inquiries were being made to see if the incident was captured on a CCTV camera inside the vehicle. Associated Taxis Geraldton president Ahmed Saud said he was shocked to learn of the allegations against a driver, stressing the man would not be allowed to drive for the company again. “We hear a lot about drivers being attacked or robbed, but in 40 years as a taxi driver I've never heard about a passenger being attacked,” he said. “It’s shocking he would (allegedly) carry a knife while driving, but there needs to be more awareness about the dangerous conditions taxi drivers find themselves in.” Mr Greenup was given bail on a $5000 surety, ordered to report to the officer in charge at Geraldton Police Station three times a week and not contact or approach within 50m of the alleged victim. Mr Greenup will reappear in court on June 10.