Torrington community to hold safety meeting after alleged home invasion leaves couple critically injured
Two residents of the small northern NSW town were seriously injured and a 34-year-old man has been charged.
Members of the Torrington community on the New South Wales Northern Tablelands are due to meet today to discuss security after two residents suffered serious injuries during an alleged home invasion at a rural property.
Keith Blessing, 75, and Diane Blessing, 72, were at home early yesterday morning when a man allegedly entered their house and stabbed them both with a knife.
Police say the alleged intruder, who they believe was not known to the couple, was shot by Mr Blessing when he tried to get back into the house.
The Blessings remain in Gold Coast Hospital after suffering critical injuries.
Joshua Dylan Trethewey, 34, has been charged with two counts of wounding with intent to murder.
He was due to face court yesterday, but a bedside hearing was refused because he was expected to undergo surgery. Police confirmed the accused does not have an extensive criminal history.
Torrington is a small former tin mining town south-west of Tenterfield in northern NSW, with a population of 77 at the 2021 census.
The tight-knit community had seen some recent growth, with a number of new residents moving to the area for more affordable housing and a quiet lifestyle.
Torrington Hall Committee president and friend of Diane Blessing, Julie Johnson, said the incident had left everyone shocked.
"Torrington is such a small community and things like this don't happen to us," she said.
"It's always been the sort of place where you could leave your house unlocked and go and visit a neighbour or zip into town, or whatever, and not lock your door.
"But at the moment everyone is double and triple locking things."
The Torrington Hall Committee has organised a meeting today to discuss safety, with representatives from local and state government expected to attend.
"Part of the meeting is to encourage people to have extra security measures installed, whether that be motion sensor lights, cameras etcetera," Ms Johnson said.
"And knowing who your neighbours are, someone you can call if you're in strife.
"People have to make sure that their homes are well secured."