Wairoa vet grateful for support after attack by ‘out and out ratbag’

HOME WITH A NEW PHONE: Wairoa veteran Dennis Andrews with a photo of his cat Tom which has been uploaded to his new phone. Mr Andrews is back in his home recovering from injuries he suffered when an intruder broke into his home and attacked him with a wooden pole. Wairoa Star picture

Wairoa man Dennis Andrews, who was attacked by an intruder in his home last week, is thanking the public for their support and enjoying a new phone he’s been given to replace one that was stolen.

A photo of his late wife Ann was salvaged from his recovered phone and uploaded, along with a photo of his cat Tom, to a new phone provided by Victim Support.

Mr Andrews was a fourth engineering officer in the Merchant Navy until 1972 and has been a regular at Wairoa’s local Anzac Day commemorations every year since.

The morning after this year’s service, he woke at about 2.25am as he often does to go to the toilet, and noticed a shadowy figure at the end of his bed. The intruder attacked him with a wooden pole.

Mr Andrews spent nearly a week in hospital recovering from his injuries and went home on Monday.

He says he’s pleased to be home with his cat Tom — a loyal mate for the last 15 years — and it is good to be back in his own bed.

He has had “a couple of really good nights’ sleep”, safe in the knowledge is house has been well secured.

Victim Support arranged to have all his locks replaced with deadlocks.

It’s the first bit of trouble he’s ever had in his neighbourhood.

“It’s just a regular neighbourhood, in fact it’s a good neighbourhood.”

The person who attacked him must just be “an out and out ratbag”, he said.

A 28 year-old man has since been arrested and charged with aggravated burglary. He is on remand in custody by consent and is scheduled to appear in Gisborne District Court on Monday.

Mr Andrews’ cellphone, a landline and his personal alarm pendant were stolen during the incident.

The loss of his phones meant he hadn’t been able to contact anyone.

His cellphone also had the last photo taken of his late wife Ann. He is grateful it’s been recovered.

He’s moved by all the people who have wished him well during his time in hospital and with his ongoing recovery.

“To all the people who have assisted and helped me and wished me well, I thank you.

“The doctors and nurses and victim support staff have all been good to work with,” he said.

He also thanked Mayor Craig Little and RSA president Jeremy Harker who had called in to see him.

Wairoa police have acknowledged the help of the community in providing information that helped lead to the arrest of a suspect.