‘Cowardly’ driveway assault

Kwinana police are determined to stamp out violence in the community after the assault of an 87-year-old Calista man last week.

On Thursday, Aubrey Breed was allegedly assaulted outside his home about 10am by a 39-year-old man, leaving him with arm, knee, thigh, hip and back injuries.

Mr Breed, who lives close to St Vincent De Paul Society on Summerton Road, said he asked the man why he was using his driveway and became frightened when the man started shouting aggressively.

“I could see he was getting quite aggressive so I backed off, but I expected him to get in his car and drive off,” he said.

“All of a sudden he got his hands and he pushed me in the chest and said ‘you stupid old man’ and I lost my balance and fell on my concrete driveway.

“He got in his car and drove away and I was left lying there.”

Mr Breed, who has lived in Kwinana most of his life, said random cars often used his driveway when donating items to the St Vinnies bins.

“I don’t like people coming in and out my driveway, I don’t think anybody else would,” he said.

“There is a bit of a problem there, but I try and live with it.”

Senior Sergeant Glen Willers said the assault had shocked and saddened officers at the Kwinana station.

“It is just so cowardly and we just can’t believe it,” he said.

“I just can’t understand how it has come to this, where such a placid, nice, elderly man, who reminds all of us of our grandfathers, could be subject to such violence in our community.”

Sen. Sgt Willers said violence, particularly towards the community’s elderly residents, would not be tolerated.

“What has happened to this elderly gentleman has really affected my staff here and it makes us more determined to do something about it,” he said.

Mr Breed was assisted by a passerby and St Vinnies’ staff.

A police spokesman said a member of the public, who witnessed the incident, provided information on the vehicle, resulting in the arrest of an Orelia man.

He was charged with aggravated assault occasioning bodily harm and is due to appear in Rockingham Magistrate’s Court on March 13.

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