NSW couple stabbed, alleged offender shot in Northern Tablelands

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 wife Di were at their Torrington property, 65 kilometres southwest of Tenterfield, around 12.15am on Thursday when Joshua Dylan Trethewey, 34, allegedly forced entry into the home, stabbing the woman in the chest and slashing the man across the abdomen.

Keith grabbed a knife from the kitchen, police allege, and wounded Trethewey, who retreated to the verandah. The home owner called Triple Zero, loaded a rifle and allegedly shot the younger man in the stomach when he attempted to re-enter the house, police allege.

Police from Tenterfield and Glen Innes, and NSW ambulance paramedics rushed to the home, where the couple was treated for stab wounds before being airlifted to Gold Coast University Hospital in a critical condition. They are both undergoing emergency surgery on Thursday morning.

Trethewey was not known to the couple, police believe. He was transported to Armidale Hospital under police guard in a serious but stable condition.

New England Police District Commander Superintendent Chris McKinnon said Trethewey has been charged with two counts of wounding with intent to murder, and will face court once he’s medically cleared.

A bail court appearance slated for Thursday morning was cancelled after a request for a bedside was refused.

McKinnon praised Keith’s response to the attack.

“He certainly did his best, obviously under very difficult circumstances, to defend himself and his partner,” he said. “It’s quite impressive that he was able to do that, given the extent of the injuries that he had suffered.”

Norm, a man who described himself as the lifelong “best mate” of Keith, said the 75-year-old and his wife lead 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 radio. “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.”

Police said the 75-year-old is a licensed gun holder.

A crime scene has been established at the property, and an investigation into the circumstances leading to the alleged home invasion is under way.

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