Community reels after ‘gentle’ couple fends off alleged home intruder
An elderly couple leading a “calm and peaceful” life were forced to fight back after they were allegedly attacked by a stranger in their home, leaving their community reeling.
Source: AAP
A “gentle and loving” husband and wife are fighting for their lives after they were allegedly stabbed in a home invasion by a stranger, who is also in hospital after being shot by the 75-year-old man.
Police are baffled about the motive for a 34-year-old man allegedly breaking into the couple’s home in Torrington, in northern NSW, before stabbing them about 12.15am on Thursday.
The couple has been publicly identified as Di and Keith Blessing, with people who know them saying they lead a calm and peaceful life.
Police said Di Blessing, 72, “collapsed with a chest wound” and her husband was slashed on the abdomen.
Keith Blessing, 75, managed to grab a kitchen knife and stab the alleged intruder, who then went outside to the verandah, giving Keith time to call triple-zero and load a rifle.
With the registered firearm, Blessing allegedly shot the younger man in the stomach when he tried to re-enter the house.
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The couple from Torrington are fighting for their lives in hospital. Photo: Facebook
“The offender has received a [stab] wound. He then left the house, but then he tried to re-enter, and the male had retrieved a firearm and fired one shot at the offender,” District Commander Superintendent Chris McKinnon told 2GB.
The accused man was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was in a serious but stable condition on Thursday.
Both Blessings were flown to hospital on the Gold Coast. They remain in critical but stable conditions.
Their alleged attacker has been charged with two counts of wounding with intent to murder.
McKinnon said police were not aware of a motive for the alleged attack, nor why the 34-year-old returned after initially fleeing the property.
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He praised Keith Blessing for being able to get his registered long-arm weapon, despite having been stabbed. McKinnon said he was within his rights to shoot his attacker in apparent self-defence.
The alleged attacker is not accused of stealing anything from the house, nor is he suspected of having been at other nearby properties.
Police do not believe the Blessings knew their alleged attacker.
“This is a very rare occurrence; this is generally a fairly quiet regional location,” McKinnon said.
“But I would certainly encourage people to ensure they are secure in their own premises, they’re able to lock their doors, and be aware of people who aren’t from that area.”
Norm, who said he was Keith Blessing’s lifelong “best mate”, said the couple led a “peaceful, calm” life at their rural property, and “wouldn’t hurt a fly”.
“Some mongrel comes in and does this to him … they’re bloody crook, I cannot believe [it],” Norm told 2GB.
“They put fruit out the front for people to come and get, so they can look after their neighbours and all of this stuff, bloody hell.”
Glenice Armand told The Daily Telegraph the Blessings were two “gentle, giving and loving souls”.
“They kept to themselves, living a simple, peaceful life and would make homemade chutneys and give away fruit and free range eggs to the local community,” she said.
“I was shocked and shaken when I was told about it this morning. I’ve spent time with them and it’s just hard to comprehend right now.”
-with AAP
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