Mum’s face hacked in machete attack
COOMBABAH mum Ingrid Brown will be scarred for life after her face was hacked from mouth to ear in a horrific attack in her own backyard.
The 35-year-old mother of one and her partner Michael Liddell, 34, were allegedly assaulted by two machete-wielding men in a robbery gone wrong.
It was 2am Saturday when the men arrived at the Kangaroo Ave home, allegedly trying to steal items.
Ms Brown and Mr Liddell had words with the men and they left, but less than two hours later they allegedly returned armed with machetes.
During the attack Mr Liddell suffered a cut to his forearm, while Ms Brown’s face was seriously slashed, requiring major reconstructive surgery.
Michael’s brother, who had been staying with the couple was there when the incident occurred and said Ms Brown’s injuries would be permanent, but he hoped the family could overcome the ordeal together.
“Half of her face was hanging off, almost like it was going to fall off,” he said.
“I took my shirt off and wrapped it around her face to stop the bleeding, but it was everywhere.
“It will leave a permanent scar, not just physical either, but they are strong people and I hope they can overcome it together.
“I had never seen anything like it, it was just some wartime (expletive).”
It is believed the offenders demanded an iPad be returned to them from items they had left behind following the first altercation.
Neighbours Rees and Linda Duncan said they heard the couple’s four-year-old daughter screaming during the second incident at the home.
“We heard someone say give us the (expletive) iPad and then there was some push and shove,” Ms Duncan said.
“We didn’t think too much of it because earlier in the night they were having a few drinks, so we thought the fracas came from that.”
Gold Coast District Duty Officer, Senior Sergeant Chris Tritton, described it as a “deeply disturbing attack” that could have easily been far worse.
“We’re just lucky it hasn’t been a fatal attack,” he said.
“Both victims will have scars for life and the female will carry psychological scars as well.”
Mr Liddell is likely to have permanent tendon damage to the forearm injured in the attack.
Senior Sgt Tritton said the tragic consequences showed it was better to leave law enforcement to the police.
“We would hope that people would remain inside and call the police,” he said.
A 35-year-old man and an 18-year-old man have both been charged with one count of unlawful possession of stolen property and two counts of acts intended to maim, disfigure or disable.
They are due to appear in the Southport Magistrates Court this morning.