SHAYNNA’S WORST NIGHTMARE
An unprovoked attack has left the popular judge advocating for change
The Block star Shaynna Blaze has broken her silence about the shocking attack she suffered at the hands of a stranger, saying she hopes her assailant “gets the help he needs so this doesn’t happen to anyone else”.
Mark Christopher Surmon, 40, has been sentenced to 100 days in jail for approaching the 59-year-old interior designer from behind on April 18, 2020, striking her in the back of the head and punching her left cheek while she was out walking her dog in Melbourne, causing Shaynna to fall face-first down onto her chin.
Detailing the terrifying incident in court, a detective revealed that when the Nine star started to scream, her attacker “attempted to quieten her by putting his hand around her face and mouth”.
“He placed pressure on her shoulders to keep her down while this occurred,” he added, revealing the mum-of-two “had no opportunity to run” during the “unprovoked attack”.
MOVING ON
The court was told the crime had a “significant and prolonged impact” on Shaynna, who provided two victim impact statements emphasising “the ongoing effects that this offending has had on [her]”.
But Shaynna, who co-founded family violence charity Voice of Change, and last year won almost $500,000 for the organisation after coming first on The Celebrity Apprentice, says she’s “pleased” she can now put the ordeal behind her.
“Crimes like this need to stop and punishment and rehabilitation are both important levers for our society,” she told the court.
It had a ‘significant and prolonged impact’ on Shaynna
With the stress of the legal proceedings behind her, the star can now focus on
The Block and her upcoming solo spin-off, Country Home Rescue, which will co-star her kids, son Jess and daughter Carly, and debut later this year on Nine.