Ruth O’Brien: Geraldton woman, 78, left bloodied after alleged violent attack and robbery in Rangeway

A 78-year-old Geraldton woman left bloodied and bruised after she was allegedly attacked with a broom in her own home and robbed by a group of teenage intruders, says she does not feel safe anymore. Still recovering from her ordeal, Ruth O’Brien said she forgave those accused of attacking her, saying more needed to be done to provide stability for youth in the community. Geraldton police allege a group of juveniles were involved in a string of burglary and stealing offences in Rangeway, Webberton and Waggrakine. Three boys, aged 12, 13 and 15, have been charged over the robbery relating to Ms O’Brien in her Rangeway home in the early hours of Tuesday morning. The three boys appeared from custody in Geraldton Children’s Court on Wednesday, while two others — including one who is alleged to have assaulted the woman — are yet to be arrested. Police prosecutor Sgt Ross Gray told the court about 12.10am on Tuesday, a group of teenagers entered a home in Rangeway by breaking open the back door. Ms O’Brien woke to the break-in and was confronted by the intruders. She was allegedly struck to the face multiple times with a pole, causing a laceration to her right eyebrow and cheek, and bruising on her face and body. Sgt Gray said the accused teens stole the woman’s purse, mobile phone, keys and drove away in her Toyota Camry. The group is also accused of driving Ms O’Brien’s car to another address in Webberton where they allegedly stole a Isuzu D-Max, and another in Waggrakine, where motorbikes were stolen. All three teenagers were charged with aggravated burglary, burglary, stealing, three counts of stealing a motor vehicle and traffic offences, and the 15 and 12-year-old were also charged with aggravated robbery. Both the 15 and 13-year-old, who were on bail for other offences, did not enter pleas and their bail was refused. The 12-year-old pleaded guilty to aggravated home burglary and two counts of stealing a motor vehicle, but pleaded not guilty to charges relating to the aggravated robbery at Ms O’Brien’s address. Defence lawyer George Giudice said the juvenile assisted the woman by giving her a tissue for the facial bleeding and pouring her a glass of water. Mr Giudice said the boy was “shocked” by the alleged assault and stayed with the woman to help her while the others drove away in the stolen vehicle. “He left and as he was walking along he got picked up by the co-accused in the lady’s car,” he said. “He wasn’t a party in this offending.” He was granted bail and will reappear on Tuesday, July 23. Ms O’Brien spoke out after the attack, claiming she did not feel safe in Geraldton because of her age and this was not the first time her home had been invaded. “I’m just exhausted, I have a shocking headache, the side of my face is very sore and my eye is black and very swollen. My brain feels like it’s being shaken around, if you put it that way,” she said. “There was a young fella who was with them who stopped them. He was so good. The guy that hit me would have killed me if the young fella didn’t step in. “When he hit me and there was blood everywhere, he picked up tissues and passed them to me and said, ‘I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I told him not to hit you’.” Ms O’Brien said she held no malice against the teenagers, who needed stability in their lives, and forgave the accused for attacking her. “I never walked in this fella’s shoes, but he was so angry. I think a lot of it comes back to their childhood,” she said. “We have a lot of kids on the streets here that need us. I honestly think the Government or our council are not doing enough to support them. “It’s frustrating for them because a lot of people don’t feel safe at home. A lot of them are so hungry they will take everything.” Geraldton police are searching for other suspects involved.