An elderly man who shot at an alleged intruder after he and his wife were stabbed during a violent home invasion overnight is not expected to face charges by police.

Keith and Di Blessing were at their home in Torrington, about 65km south-west of Tenterfield in northern New South Wales, when police allege Joshua Dylan Trethewey, 34, broke into their home and stabbed the pair.

Ms Blessing, 72, suffered a chest wound and collapsed, while her 75-year-old husband was slashed across the abdomen.

Mr Blessing called Triple Zero for urgent help just after 12.15am.

However, before emergency services arrived, Trethewey allegedly attempted to re-enter the house and was shot at by Mr Blessing.

The couple remain in a critical but stable condition at Gold Coast University Hospital.

A police source told the Daily Mail it is very unlikely Mr Blessing will face charges, due to the alleged circumstances in which the firearm was discharged.

On Thursday morning, Detective Superintendent Chris McKinnon praised Mr Blessing for his actions.

Keith and Di Blessing were at their home in Torrington, about 65km south-west of Tenterfield in northern New South Wales, when police allege Joshua Dylan Trethewey, 34, broke into their home and stabbed the pair
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Keith and Di Blessing were at their home in Torrington, about 65km south-west of Tenterfield in northern New South Wales, when police allege Joshua Dylan Trethewey, 34, broke into their home and stabbed the pair


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The Daily Mail understands NSW Police will not charge an elderly man after he shot and wounded an alleged intruder during a home invasion in Torrington, NSW overnight

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

Daily Mail understands Mr Blessing was a licensed gun owner.

A former Torrington resident said the Blessings were a quiet couple who had lived in the area for about four years and had their own circle of friends outside the district.

‘They kept to themselves,’ the woman told the Daily Mail.

‘They were very private people and to my knowledge they were very decent people.’

The woman said when she first met the Blessings they told her: ‘We’re very quiet people and we just want to be on our own really.’

She added: ‘All I can say is they really seemed to be such gentle, decent beings. They never deserved this.’

The couple’s daughter told Nine that they are most generous and honest people and that she’s so proud of her dad, Keith, for his bravery.

A friend of the couple said they are 'gentle, decent beings' who 'never deserved this'
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A friend of the couple said they are ‘gentle, decent beings’ who ‘never deserved this’

The incident happened in Torrington, 65km south-west of Tenterfield in regional NSW
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The incident happened in Torrington, 65km south-west of Tenterfield in regional NSW

A close friend of the couple, Norm, said he was rocked by the incident.

‘Great guy, absolutely great guy. Husband and wife, and he wouldn’t hurt a fly, and they live a peaceful, calm life,’ he told 2GB’s Ben Fordham.

‘I just cannot believe it. They put fruit out the front for people to come and get – so they can look after their neighbours.’

Norm said Mr Blessing is currently in surgery after suffering a ‘very, very bad’ stab wound, with his wife expected to have surgery later today for ‘chest punctures.’

Trethewey, who remains under police guard in Armidale Hospital, is reportedly in a serious but stable condition.

He has been charged with two counts of cause wounding/grievous bodily harm to person with intent to murder.

‘We don’t believe he’s known to the couple. We’re certainly investigating all the circumstances of what occurred today, but at this stage I’m unable to say why he tried to re-enter the house,’ Supt McKinnon said.

‘To our knowledge, nothing was stolen from the residents.’

Detective Superintendent Chris McKinnon said the elderly man was initially able to defend himself with a knife, before the alleged intruder returned
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Detective Superintendent Chris McKinnon said the elderly man was initially able to defend himself with a knife, before the alleged intruder returned

Trethewey was refused bail and was due to appear before Bail Division Court later today.

However, just minutes into the court session, the judge told waiting media Trethewey’s matter would not go ahead as the ‘bedside hearing’ had been ‘refused.’

SOURCE: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-15872559/Tenterfield-home-invasion.html