Brave mum opens up about Melbourne CBD stabbing ordeal after random attack

The brave mum who was stabbed after her son with brain cancer was attacked in Melbourne’s CBD has told of their terrifying ordeal.

Recovering in hospital, Cherie Holt’s main concern is her 10-year-old son, who was allegedly punched in the head by a stranger. 

“A blow like that to any child’s head could have devastating consequences, but knowing that my son has an inoperable brain tumour made what had just happened even more terrifying,” Holt said.

The Phillip Island mum and her three sons were in the city on Tuesday for her son to get a regular MRI.

They were walking past Melbourne West Police Station on Spencer Street when Jerry Sowood allegedly attacked them, striking the youngest boy first.

“I yelled at my 16-year-old son to go and get the police while I scooped my 10-year-old up,” Holt said.

“I stood between the man and my children because there was absolutely no way I was going to let him get to them again.”

Holt’s brother, Kirk Holt, said his sister’s motherly instincts “came out to protect her kids”.

“This could have been a tragedy beyond what we were expecting,” he said.

Sowood is then accused of punching and stabbing the mother before brave bystanders and police officers ran to help, as the incident unfolding outside the police station and next to Victoria Police headquarters.

“You’re all amazing people to do that, so thank you so much,” Holt’s brother said.

Victoria Police said it already has a bolstered presence in the city as part of Operation Harmony that is aimed at targeting crime including assaults.

The mother-of-three said her concern “is what happens between an arrest and the courts, and what consequences ultimately follow.”

Sowood will return to court in November.