It was almost 3pm last Monday afternoon.
Louise thought she’d fit in a nice afternoon stroll before her children returned home from school.
She couldn’t think of a simpler, more pleasant way to finish off a rare, relaxing day.
But how terribly wrong she was.
The 42-year-old mother of three was bashed senseless by a Caucasian male, believed to be in his early 20s, near the tunnel pass in Jonas Absalom Reserve.
The unprovoked attack was described by Port Macquarie Police as a random, most likely spontaneous, attempt at robbery — which in this case turned violent.
Despite the fact Louise can barely speak after the callous bashing, she wanted to warn residents, females and the elderly in particular, never to drop your guard.
She said Police believe her life was spared because she carried her mobile phone in her bra and could call 000 and that she had studied self defence.
Louise said she’ll now add to that list to never walk alone, always let someone know where you are going and for how long, and always watch your back.
The nightmare began, she said, when she saw a “pale”, disgruntled man walking at a fast pace toward her near the tunnel on the pathway along Jonas Absalom Reserve. He was wearing a hooded jumper and sunglasses, looked tight lipped and pensive, she said.
“I didn’t like the way he was approaching me, so I turned around and went the other way but, before I knew it, he’d got me,” she said.
Louise said she fought back with all her strength and believed she’d hurt the man, so much so, he’d be “unable to walk or reproduce for a while”.
“I’m only 5 feet 4.5 inches but I know how to pack a punch and get focused,” she said.
But not before the perpetrator turned her pretty face black and blue, after punching her over and over, she said.
Her ribs are so sore, Louise said, it’s hard to breathe.
“But I’m alive,” she said.
“And because I had my phone hidden down my bra, I could ring 000.
“I was in such a bad way when the police and ambos arrived they took ages to even move me.
“I sure as hell had to be taken to hospital.”
The night before the terrifying incident, Louise said she and her husband celebrated their 18th wedding anniversary.
“I was in such good spirits and look at me now,” she said.
“What he did to me is disgusting.
“It’s totally shaken me; shaken everything.”
Louise said the reason she wanted to come forward was to give a warning to others.
“I see women walking all the time with their water bottles and headphones in their ears — they could make such easy targets,” she said.
“We all need to take on board things we can do to protect ourselves.
Louise pushed for people to consider the following:
- Always let someone know where you are going and for how long;
- Always carry a mobile phone where it is safe;
- Do not walk alone;
- Take self defence classes as she did; and
- Watch your back at all times.
Police said anyone with information about what happened to Louise, or other attacks, should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or Port Macquarie Police on 131 444.
Story: Kate Yates
