Chris Minns says elderly homeowner ‘acted like a hero’ while shooting alleged home invader after being stabbed
As the public waits to find out if a NSW man will be charged for shooting an alleged home invader, the Premier has weighed in.
NSW Premier Chris Minns has praised the actions of a rural homeowner who protected himself and his wife during a horrific home invasion that left both of them hospitalised and the alleged perpetrator in an induced coma.
Speaking to Ben Fordham on 2GB, Mr Minns described Keith Blessing as a “hero” as NSW Police remain closeted as to whether the Torrington local will face charges for shooting a man who allegedly broke into his Northern Tablelands home and seriously injured both he and his wife with a knife last week.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“I think Keith acted like a hero in those circumstances. He saved himself and his family, and I wish him nothing but the best,” Mr Minns said.
“He was protecting his livelihood, his home and his family.”
On Tuesday morning, NSW Police said no charges had been laid against the 75-year-old, who remains in Gold Coast hospital with his wife after the pair were flown there via Westpac Helicopter early on Thursday morning.
Police would not confirm or deny charges would be laid in the future.
Police allege the Blessings were attacked by a knife-wielding man just after midnight on Thursday.
Ms Blessing “collapsed with a chest wound”, while her husband was slashed across his abdomen during a violent confrontation, police say.
Mr Blessing called triple-0 as their alleged attacker, Joshua Dylan Trethewey, 34, retreated onto the home’s veranda.
Mr Trethewey was shot by Mr Blessing as he tried to get back into the house.
Mr Trethewey, who remains in an induced coma, has been charged with two counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to murder and is due to front a NSW court at a later date.
Criminal lawyer Sam Macedone said Mr Blessing was “entitled to defend himself” provided there was no proof of “any force that was over the top”.
“What is important in any self-defence claim is what is going through the mind of that person. The fear they have, and whether they feel they have to do whatever it takes to protect themselves, is how an outsider will decide what is reasonable and what is not,” Mr Macedone said.
“I think if the other bloke wasn’t armed, if he hadn’t been stabbed and given the age differences, then the shooting probably wouldn’t have been justified.
“The fact that he’d already been stabbed by this bloke, who was a lot younger and presumably a lot fitter than him, the fact his wife had already been severely injured, means there would have been enough fear in his mind to do whatever he could to prevent this bloke getting entry again.
“If this bloke is trying to re-enter, you know full well he’s not doing it to give you a hug.”
New England Police District Area commander Detective Superintendent Chris McKenna wouldn’t comment on whether charges would be pursued in relation to Mr Blessing’s actions but said people were “entitled to use reasonable force to defend themselves”.
“This (older) male had obviously received quite critical injuries up to that point … but all of these things will form part of our investigation,” he said.
“He certainly did his best under very difficult circumstances to defend himself and his partner.”
“It was quite impressive, given the extent of the injuries that he suffered.”
