Source : Perth Now news
The daughters of an elderly couple seriously injured when they were stabbed in a terrifying alleged home invasion in their rural home say their parents face a long road to recovery.
Dianne Blessing was stabbed in the chest, while her husband Keith, 75, was slashed across the stomach, before he called triple zero after they were attacked in their home in Torrington in northern NSW, about 12.15am on Thursday.
The couple were flown to Gold Coast University Hospital in a critical but stable condition.
Mr Blessing, a licensed firearms holder, later shot their alleged attacker, 34-year-old Joshua Dylan Trethewey, after he allegedly attempted to re-enter the property before police arrived.
Mr Trethewey was taken to Armidale Hospital under police guard with a gunshot wound.
The couple’s daughter Kathy Blessing have thanked supporters for their well wishes.
“We’d like to thank everyone who has supported our family. It has been comforting to know we have the support of the wider community,” she said.
“This has been deeply traumatising to our family and no family should ever have to go through this.”
Ms Blessing praised the actions of her parents during the ordeal.
“We’re very proud of our parents and their bravery. They’re recovering in the hospital here, getting excellent care. We have a long road ahead,” she said on Friday.
“We want to thank the media for their respectful reporting and going forward for respecting our privacy. This is going to be our only statement.”
Detective Superintendent Chris McKinnon described Mr Blessing’s actions of self-defence as “quite impressive” given how severe his injuries were.
“Her certainly did his best obviously under very difficult circumstances to defend himself and his partner,” Superintendent McKinnon told reporters on Thursday.
Mr Trethewey was charged with two counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to murder and remains under police guard in hospital. He was refused bail and appeared in the Bail Division court via video link on Thursday.
Initial investigations suggest Mr Trethewey is not known to Mr and Mrs Blessing.
The couple are retirees and are well-known in the small community of Torrington.
