Couple fighting for their lives after home invasion ‘bloody great’ people

An elderly couple fighting for their lives in hospital after a terrifying home invasion are “absolutely great” people, a long-time friend has said, as their alleged attacker faces charges of attempted murder.

Police and emergency services were called to a rural property at Torrington, in NSW’s New England region, shortly after midnight after receiving reports of a home invasion.

When officers arrived, they were told a 75-year-old man and a 72-year-old woman, since identified as Keith and Di Blessing, were home at the property when 34-year-old Joshua Dylan Trethewey allegedly entered the premises and stabbed both with a knife.

Di collapsed after she was stabbed in the chest and her husband Keith was slashed across his stomach.

Detective Superintendent Chris McKinnon later told 2GB Keith was able to retrieve a knife despite his wounds, and wounded the 34-year-old in the confrontation.

The alleged attacker, who police say is not known to the couple, went out onto the property’s verandah while Keith was able to call Triple Zero and emergency services raced to the scene.

Before officers arrived at the property, the younger man tried to re-enter the property when Keith allegedly shot him.

McKinnon said the gun used was a long-arm registered to the 75-year-old.

“He certainly did his best obviously under very different circumstances to defend himself and his partner,” he said.

“It was quite impressive that he was able to do that.”

McKinnon said only a single shot was fired.

The Blessings’ were treated at the scene and airlifted to the Gold Coast. They remain in a critical but stable condition in hospital.

The couple’s daughter told 9News her parents were “the most generous and honest people” and that she was proud of her father’s bravery.

A long-time friend of the couple earlier spoke to 2GB.

He said he had spoken to their daughter, who was at the hospital with them.

“He’s my best mate that I’ve had since I was at school,” he told 2GB’s Ben Fordham.

“Bloody great guy, absolutely great husband and wife. And he wouldn’t hurt a fly. They’re living a peaceful, calm life up there, and some mongrel comes in and does this to him.”

He said he had been told Keith was currently in surgery for a “very, very bad stab wound” in his stomach.

He said Di had chest punctures and would undergo surgery later today.

He described the couple as good neighbours to all.

“They put fruit out the front for people to come and get, so they can look after their neighbours,” he said.

The alleged attacker, identified as Joshua Dylan Trethewey, was treated for a gunshot wound to his abdomen at the property and driven to Armidale Hospital under police guard. He is in a serious but stable condition.

He has since been charged with two counts of wounding with intent to murder.

He was refused bail and will appear in court today.

McKinnon said the man, who had spoken briefly to police while in hospital, did not have an “extensive” criminal history.

He said it did not appear anything had been stolen from the property, and he was unsure why the alleged intruder had supposedly tried to reenter the home.

Asked whether Keith Blessing face charges over shooting the alleged attacker, McKinnon demurred.

“A person is entitled to use reasonable force to defend themselves,” he said.

“But all of these things will form part of our investigation.”