A 46-year-old mother was allegedly stabbed seven times while protecting her 10-year-old son during a random attack in Melbourne’s Docklands.
The mother and her son had travelled from Phillip Island to Melbourne for the boy’s brain scan appointment scheduled for Wednesday. They were walking back to their hotel on Tuesday when they were allegedly confronted by a stranger just metres from police headquarters.
Police allege that 27-year-old Jerry Sowood punched the boy in the face before his mother stepped in to protect him. The woman was allegedly attacked with scissors and suffered seven puncture wounds, a broken leg and an eye injury.
Witnesses quickly intervened as the attack unfolded. Among them was Brian Bradley, who helped restrain the alleged attacker and make a citizen’s arrest.
Bradley said he acted on instinct to help the mother and child rather than simply recording the incident on his phone.
Sowood has been charged with affray, two counts of intentionally causing injury, unlawful assault, conduct endangering life and conduct endangering serious injury. The investigation into the incident is continuing.
