‘Long road’: Daughters of elderly couple speak out after alleged NSW home invasion
As the daughter of an elderly couple was stabbed and seriously injured during a horrific alleged home invasion at their rural home, they say their parents face a long road to recovery.
Dianne Blessing was stabbed in the chest, while her husband Keith, 75, was wounded in the abdomen before being called triple zero after being attacked at their home in Torrington in northern NSW around 12.15am on Thursday.
The couple were taken to Gold Coast University Hospital in a critical but stable condition.
Mr Blessing, a licensed firearms owner, shot 34-year-old Joshua Dylan Trethewey, who allegedly tried 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, thanked supporters for their well wishes.
“We would like to thank everyone who has supported our family. We are relieved to know we have the support of the wider community,” he said.
“This has been deeply traumatizing for our family and no family should have to go through this.”
Ms Blessing praised her parents’ actions during the ordeal.
“We are so proud of our parents and their courage. They are recovering in the hospital here, receiving excellent care. We have a long road ahead of us,” he said Friday.
“We want to thank the media for their respectful reporting and for moving forward with respect for our privacy. This will be our only statement.”
Detective Superintendent Chris McKinnon described Mr Blessing’s actions in self-defence as “quite impressive” considering the severity of his injuries.
“He certainly did the best he could under very difficult circumstances to defend himself and his partner,” Inspector McKinnon told reporters on Thursday.
Mr Trethewey was charged with two counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to murder and remained under police protection in hospital. He was refused bail and appeared in the Bail Division court via video link on Thursday.
Initial investigations indicate that Mr Trethewey was not known to Mr and Mrs Blessing.
The couple is retired and well-known in the small community of Torrington.
