A 75-year-old man who was stabbed during a violent home invasion in rural New South Wales has been praised by police after fighting back and shooting the alleged intruder.
Police allege the man and his 72-year-old wife, identified as Keith and Dianne Blessing, were attacked by a knife-wielding man inside their home at Torrington shortly after midnight on Thursday.
According to police, Dianne Blessing collapsed with a chest wound, while Keith Blessing suffered a wound to his abdomen.
Despite his injuries, police say Keith Blessing called triple-0 after the alleged attacker retreated to the home’s veranda.
The alleged intruder, no identified as 34-year-old Joshua Dylan Trethewey, reportedly attempted to re-enter the house before being shot by the elderly homeowner.
Police say Blessing had also managed to grab a knife from the kitchen and slash Trethewey during the confrontation.
Trethewey has since been charged with two counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to murder and is expected to appear in court at a later date.
New England Police Superintendent Chris McKinnon praised the older man’s actions during the attack.
“He certainly did his best under very difficult circumstances to defend himself and his partner,” McKinnon said.
“It was quite impressive, given the extent of the injuries that he suffered.”
McKinnon said police were continuing to investigate the incident but noted that people are entitled to defend themselves.
“This (older) male had obviously received quite critical injuries up to that point … but all of these things will form part of our investigation,” he said.
Police said nothing was stolen from the property and believe Trethewey was not known to the couple. He is also not believed to have been living in Torrington.
The couple were treated at the scene before being airlifted to Gold Coast Hospital, where they remain in a critical but stable condition.
Trethewey was taken to Armidale Hospital under police guard before being charged.
A crime scene has been established and investigations are continuing.
Speaking on 2GB Breakfast, a caller who identified himself as Norm and said he was a close friend of the couple described them as kind and community-minded.
“They’re living a peaceful, calm life, up there and some mongrel comes in and does this to him,” he said.
“They put fruit out the front for people to come and get so they can look after their neighbours.”
Image: Nine
