Arabic version: ضحية تاسمانية تصف المهاجمين بأنهم «شر خالص»
A 76-year-old man who was the victim of a violent home robbery on Tasmania’s east coast has described his attackers as “pure evil” and is recovering in hospital. According to ABC News, Grant Whelan was tied with cable ties, assaulted and robbed by at least two men in the early hours of Saturday.
Mr Whelan said the men stole nine of his firearms, dragged him outside into the cold and set his Coles Bay home on fire, forcing him to watch as it burned to the ground. In a statement provided to the ABC from hospital, he said he was thankful for the community support, including an online fundraiser that has raised about $70,000. He has also spoken about ongoing trauma: “[I] wake up with flashes of bright lights and people screaming,” he told the ABC, and described how the attack felt like having “the guts punched” out of him.
Mr Whelan described the offenders as “pure evil.” He recalled suddenly being assaulted and not understanding where the violence had come from: “All of the sudden you’re laying there looking at the weather chart, next second, you are getting your guts punched out of you and you just don’t know where it has all come from,” he said. He remains in hospital as he recovers from the assault.
Detective Inspector David Gill said police continued to search for the offenders and the stolen firearms, which were registered. “We’re renewing our call for anyone with information that may assist our investigations to come forward,” Inspector Gill said. “If you have dash-cam or CCTV that may be relevant to our investigations, or information in relation to the stolen firearms or anyone who has obtained or is selling firearms, please come forward.” Mr Whelan’s car was also stolen during the incident and was found on Saturday afternoon submerged in the nearby Apsley River.
This story matters because at least nine registered firearms were taken and the victim’s home was deliberately burned, prompting an active police investigation and a substantial community fundraising response. The combination of stolen weapons, an ongoing search for offenders and visible community concern explains why authorities are appealing for public assistance and why the victim’s recovery and the search for those responsible remain priorities for police.
What happens next: police will continue searching for the offenders and the stolen firearms and have asked anyone with dash-cam or CCTV footage or information about the stolen firearms to come forward. Mr Whelan says he is thankful for the support he has received as he continues to recover in hospital.
Related sections: Australia/استراليا | Tasmania | General | Social/إجتماعية
