NSW couple stabbed, alleged offender shot in Northern Tablelands
Updated ,first published
A suspected home invader who inflicted life-threatening stab wounds on an elderly couple at a rural NSW property was shot by one of the residents before emergency services arrived at the scene, police allege.
Keith Blessing, 75, and his wife Di were at their property in Torrington, 40 miles south-west of Tenterfield, at around 12.15pm on Thursday. Joshua Dylan Trethewey, 34, allegedly broke into the home, stabbed the woman in the chest and slashed the man in the abdomen.
Keith grabbed a knife from the kitchen and wounded Trethewey, who retreated to the porch, police allege. Police allege the homeowner called Triple Zero, loaded his shotgun, and shot the young man in the stomach as he tried to re-enter the house.
Tenterfield and Glen Innes police and NSW ambulance paramedics rushed to the house; where the couple were treated for stab wounds before being taken to Gold Coast University Hospital in a critical condition. Both will undergo emergency surgery on Thursday morning.
Police believe the couple did not know Trethewey. The man, who was transferred to Armidale Hospital under police supervision, was stated to be in a serious but stable condition.
New England Police District Commander Chris McKinnon said Trethewey was charged with two counts of wounding with intent to murder and would appear in court after being medically cleared.
A bail court hearing scheduled for Thursday morning was canceled after a bedside request was denied.
McKinnon praised Keith’s response to the attack.
“He certainly did the best he could under very difficult circumstances to defend himself and his partner,” he said. “It’s pretty impressive that he was able to do that, considering the extent of the injuries he sustained.”
Norm, who described himself as Keith’s lifelong “best friend”, said the 75-year-old man and his wife lived a “peaceful, quiet” life on their rural property and “wouldn’t hurt a fly”.
“Some mongrel walks in and does this to her… they’re a fucking scammer, I can’t believe it [it]Norm told 2GB radio: “They put fruit out front for people to come and pick it up so they can take care of their neighbors and all that stuff, dammit.”
Police said the 75-year-old man was a licensed gun owner.
A crime scene has been established at the scene and an investigation into the circumstances leading up to the alleged home invasion is ongoing.
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Daniel Lo Surdo is a breaking news reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald. He previously ran The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age’s national news live blog.Connect via email.
