The tiny Northern Tablelands community of Torrington will gather at the community hall at 11am this morning, as residents come to terms with a violent home invasion that has left an elderly couple fighting for their lives and reignited debate over “Castle Law” protections in New South Wales.
The hall sits at the centre of community life in Torrington, hosting events, gatherings and monthly morning teas, and today’s meeting is expected to focus on supporting traumatised residents and discussing security measures after the attack on Keith and Diane Blessing at their Torrington Road property, ‘Trukemup’.
Tiny community traumatised
Tenterfield Shire Mayor Bronwyn Petrie said the community was deeply shaken.
“Obviously everyone’s thoughts and prayers are with the couple, and hoping that they make a full recovery,” Mayor Petrie said.
“Our thoughts are with the community, who are shocked and rattled by this. They’re a tight-knit rural community there, and for this to happen to their friends has really caused great trauma in people – concern for the Blessings, obviously, but also worry about their own safety.”
She said residents had become “very, very traumatised by it and fearful”.
“Everyone’s really, really, really hoping that this nice couple will recover.”
Mayor Petrie said police had been asked to attend the Community Meeting to support and inform locals, and Hunter New England Health had been asked to provide a trauma counsellor for the community.
Although Torrington falls within Tenterfield Shire, the remote community sits close to Glen Innes Severn, and many residents rely on services from Glen Innes, Deepwater and Emmaville. Margot Davis, Mayor of Glen Innes Severn Council, also offered support to the victims and wider community.
“Our thoughts are with the victims affected by this distressing incident. No one should feel unsafe in their own home, especially elderly members of the community,” Mayor Davis said.
“Acts of violence of any sort have no place in or beautiful community. I want to thank the emergency services and the police officers who responded to this situation.”
Northern Tablelands MP and Shadow Minister for Prevention of Regional Crime Brendan Moylan urged the public to allow investigators to complete their work.
“My thoughts are with the victims, their family and the Torrington community following this shocking incident,” Mr Moylan said.
“This is obviously a very serious matter and, as it has only just occurred, it is important that we allow NSW Police to complete their investigations.
“Incidents of this nature are deeply confronting, particularly in small rural communities where people rightly expect to feel safe in their own homes.”
Castle Law debate reignited
The incident has also reignited debate about Castle Law protections, with many local residents arguing homeowners in isolated communities should have stronger legal protections when defending themselves against violent intruders.
Police allege a 34-year-old man, Joshua Dylan Trethewey, forced his way into the Blessings’ home and stabbed both 75-year-old Keith and 72-year-old Diane Blessing. Mr Blessing managed to grab a kitchen knife and wound the alleged attacker, who then briefly left the house. After Triple Zero was called, the man allegedly attempted to force his way back inside, at which point Mr Blessing retrieved a legally owned firearm and shot him once in the abdomen.
The couple were airlifted by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter to Gold Coast University Hospital in a critical condition, while Mr Trethewey was taken to Armidale Hospital by ambulance under police guard and later charged with two counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to murder.
While Trethewey is a common name around Deepwater, it is believed the couple did not know the younger man.
New England Police Superintendent Chris McKinnon said the Blessings had “a right to defend themselves”, describing Mr Blessings efforts as “impressive”.
Mayor Petrie said there would have been “community outrage” had charges been brought against the 75-year-old.
“I was really pleased that the superintendent said that people have a reasonable right to defend themselves earlier,” she said.
“I think there would be community outrage if he was charged.”
While police have indicated Mr Blessing is unlikely to face charges, supporters of Castle Law reform argue the current law still leaves homeowners vulnerable because it ultimately requires a jury to determine whether force used was “reasonable”.
Last year Mr Moylan presented a petition to the NSW Parliament calling for stronger protections for householders defending themselves against intruders. The petition, signed by 1936 people, argued current self-defence laws “can be ambiguous and leave law-abiding occupants vulnerable to criminal prosecution and/or civil proceedings”.
It called on the NSW Government to amend the Crimes Act so householders defending themselves in their homes “cannot be regarded as acting unlawfully provided the force used is not grossly disproportionate”.
In response, NSW Attorney-General Michael Daley said the law of self-defence in NSW was already “well established” and protected people who used force that was “reasonable and proportionate in the circumstances”.
Leading criminal defence trial advocate Andrew Tiedt of Armstrong Legal said the current law already allowed for self-defence, but left the question of whether it was reasonable to a jury.
“The law of self defence requires an assessment of how fearful the accused was, and then a further assessment of whether the act was ‘a reasonable response to the circumstances as he or she perceives them’,” Mr Tiedt said.
“A hypothetical jury would have to consider whether the Crown had proved beyond a reasonable doubt that the conduct was not a reasonable response to the circumstances as the accused perceived them.”
Mayor Petrie said the debate was particularly important in isolated communities where help could be hours away.
“With castle law, I think especially in isolated areas you have to have the ability – where you’ve got no police assistance – to defend yourself and your family,” she said.
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