Son-in-law disgusted at home invasion attack

85-year-old bashing victim Louis Watts. Photo supplied

The son-in-law of an 85-year-old man who was seriously injured after being bashed during a home invasion says the attack is a reflection on New Zealand's deteriorating society.

Louis Watts was knocked unconscious during the attack in a south Auckland retirement village on Wednesday night.

His son-in-law Keith Oddy, 64, was sickened by the attack.

"We need to get back to where this country was, because it has gone down the tubes a little bit as far as I'm concerned," Mr Oddy told NZPA.

He said he didn't think the security at Bethesda Village where Mr Watts lived was to blame.

"The security there is very good. He had his own unit within the retirement village, and I can only sing their praises on what they've done before and since. They're doing a great job to make everybody feel comfortable.

"But if anybody wants to break in you know they'll do it anyway," he said.

Mr Watts is a war veteran, and has three children, as well as numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Originally from Titirangi, he had been living at Bethesda for the past six years.

Before he retired, Mr Watts was a crane driver and a school teacher.

Mr Oddy said he was in good spirits despite his injuries.

"He is bashed, bruised and has broken bones but his attitude at 85 after what has happened to him is amazing. He's a very dry witted person, and even under drugs it's still there, so I'm very happy about that.

"He will probably be in hospital for a fortnight, and then he will stay with me and my wife Lynette until he's fully rehabilitated.

"Then, knowing him, he'll go back to the village because he's pretty tough."

Detective Senior Sergeant Karyn Malthus said Mr Watts, who lives by himself in a unit at the Wiri village, was attacked when he confronted an intruder about 7.30pm.

"It seems the offender punched the victim at least once, causing him to be knocked unconscious for about 1-1/2 hours," Ms Malthus said.

She said Mr Watts had broken facial bones, bruising to the eyes and cuts to the back of his head. His condition is described as serious but stable.

"We believe a laptop and camera were stolen from the address and I warn anyone who may now be in possession of these items that they risk being associated with this serious assault on a vulnerable elderly man."

Ms Malthus said the offender was a "portly" Maori or Polynesian man, believed to be middle aged.

Police were also investigating a report of a suspicious male in the retirement village earlier that evening.

Jon Marshall, chief executive officer of Bethesda Village, said the residents and management were shocked.

"The safety and security of the residents at Bethesda Village is paramount.

"Our current concern is the well-being and full recovery of Mr Watts and offering support to all our residents who are naturally very upset by this event.

"We are taking the situation very seriously and will continue to work closely with the police to find the attacker ," Mr Marshall said.

- NZPA