During the early hours of Saturday, November 14, 2015, an elderly man was assaulted in his Murray Street home by a male intruder. 

The homeowner had been sleeping when he heard a noise. He got up to investigate, thinking an open window had knocked something over. 

What he found was someone violating his space, having broken into his home. 

An altercation occurred during which the homeowner was violently bashed. 

The homeowner had to be taken to hospital suffering extensive physical injuries, particularly to his face. 

In a state where he had just been woken up and was not expecting to find anyone in his house, he had no chance of defending himself.  

While most of the wounds have healed, today the psychological scars of the trauma are still being treated. 

“In a town like Cootamundra, there are virtually no break-ins, we all feel safe until this happens,” the homeowner told the Cootamundra Herald. 

“I felt that my space had been invaded, a man’s house is his castle, you don’t expect to be woken up by someone breaking in,” he continued. 

The victim has increased security around his home since the incident, putting new locks and burglar-proof gauze on the windows, which he now closes at night. 

“I wasn’t security conscious before this, but I am now,” he said. 

He thanked police for their comprehensive response and was keen for the person who assaulted him to be brought to justice. 

“I don’t want this to happen to anyone else,” the victim said. 

Cootamundra Detective Senior Constable Aaron Walker said these crimes were rather rare within the Cootamundra community. 

Police are seeking the community’s assistance in identifying those responsible. 

They have letter-box dropped all residents in the immediate area in which the offence was committed calling for further details. 

If anyone has any information on the aggravated break and enter please contact Cootamundra Police on 6942 0099 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.