Axe-wielding home intruders almost cut man’s arm off – now he may face charges
A man who had his arm partially severed during a violent confrontation with an axe-wielding intruder may face charges, after the death of the alleged offender.
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Emergency services were called to a property in Kingscliff, near Tweed Heads in far-northern NSW, just after 8pm on Tuesday, where they found a 29-year-old man dead and a 66-year-old man seriously injured.
Police say the younger man and 26-year-old man forced entry into the home while armed with an axe and wearing face coverings to conceal their identities.
In the frenzied confrontation that followed, the 29-year-old was stabbed in the chest by the resident. Investigators have described it as an act of self-defence after the older man was struck repeatedly with the axe.
The 66-year-old, who has been widely named as Alan Kerr, was found reportedly found in his hallway in a semi-conscious state.
He was flown to Gold Coast University Hospital, where he had surgery on Wednesday morning. He was in a stable condition, despite having his arm partially severed in the attack.
The younger man was treated by paramedics before being pronounced dead at the scene.
Kerr didn’t know the intruders, police said.
Detective Inspector Matt Zimmer said Kerr had acted in self defence, but police would investigate if his use of force was warranted before determining if charges would be laid.
“We will be examining the actions of the occupant and if his actions were lawful and reasonable in relation to the threat,” he said.
The other assailant fled in a silver Toyota Corolla, which had since been recovered and was undergoing forensic analysis.
Police arrested a 26-year-old man on Wednesday afternoon and charged him with special aggravated break and enter and commit serious indictable offence.
Police will allege in court that the man forced entry to the home and assaulted the occupant before fleeing. He will appear at Tweed Heads Local Court on Thursday.
