For the first time, the family of the alleged home invader accused of stabbing a couple at Torrington in New South Wales’ north has spoken out, saying they’re in shock but standing by him.
Reg Trethewey is left struggling to understand how his nephew Joshua Dylan Trethewey, 34, came to be charged with intent to murder Keith Blessing, 75, and his wife Dianne Blessing, 72.
“It’s very sad. It’s very hard for our family,” he told 7NEWS.
Joshua is accused of forcing his way into the Blessings’ home, stabbing them both, before then allegedly being shot by Keith in self-defence.
Reg says he’d been regularly visiting Joshua, bringing him the devastating news his mother had died from motor neurone disease.
“He said, all right, everything’s OK. And I just said to him, would you like me to pick you up for the funeral? And he was, yeah, quite open to that,” Reg said.
Keith Blessing and his wife Dianne Blessing have been described as “lovely”, “kind” and “harmless”.
But it was just hours later that night Joshua is accused of attacking the Blessings.
“The events of that evening had just left me absolutely floored, as with everybody else,” Reg said.
Joshua had worked for his uncle as a boilermaker and was well-known in the small town of Deepwater.
“He wasn’t quite a type of fella. He wasn’t really a very outgoing fella,” Reg said.
Joshua’s father died from cancer two years ago. He reportedly once owned land where the Blessings lived.
“Like the rest of us, he had his difficulties. Josh and I had a good relationship, and I want to continue to support him,” Reg said.
Locals in Deepwater described Joshua as a gentle person, with the alleged attack shocking the tight-knit community to its core.
“Very gentle person. This just shocks us all to our core,” one resident said.
“He’s a totally different guy. Pretty quiet, not talking to anyone,” another local said.
“It’s just very devastating what’s happened,” another said.
Trethewey remains in Armidale Hospital being treated for gunshot wounds, while the Blessings are still recovering in a Gold Coast hospital.
The community has rallied behind Keith’s right to self-defence.
“Given the violence that was enacted by the intruder, the community would be absolutely outraged were there any charges laid against Mr Blessing, who, thank God, was able to have that further defence,” Tenterfield Mayor Bronwyn Petrie said.
