Timothy Scott Forrester sentenced after being found guilty in jury trial of horrific, violent home invasion

Colin Holder had just woke up to get ready for work while his wife and two children remained asleep – minutes later, they were all victims of mistaken identity and a “vicious unprovoked attack”.

A thug who brutally bashed an innocent father-of-two will spend at least the next decade in prison, after a “vicious unprovoked attack” left the husband, wife and two young girls “forever broken”.

On Wednesday, a District Court jury found Timothy Scott Forrester, 47, guilty of breaking into Colin and Tracey Holder’s remote Mount Pleasant home in 2017 and brutally bashing Mr Holder, then 51, unconscious inside his kitchen, as well as his wife after she attempted to escape and call for help. Forrester had pleaded not guilty to aggravated serious criminal trespass, aggravated causing harm with intent, false imprisonment, aggravated assault and aggravated robbery – and has since launched an appeal against his conviction.

Throughout the horrific onslaught, the court heard the Holders’ two young girls hid and barricaded themselves inside a dark room – fearing their father had been murdered.

Judge Anthony Allen noted Forrester and his alleged co-accused made repeated claims during the attack that Mr Holder was a “pedophile who touches and looks at young girls” – a claim that was ultimately meant for someone entirely different.

Police at the scene of the attack at Mt Pleasant on March 3, 2017. Picture: Roger Wyman

Police at the scene of the attack at Mt Pleasant on March 3, 2017. Picture: Roger Wyman

“Mrs Holder heard the attack launched against her husband from the next room and, valiantly, she left the house intending to drive to a neighbour’s house to seek assistance,” Judge Allen said.

“As she was approaching the family vehicle, one of you attacked Mrs Holder, pulling her away from the vehicle. The offender placed his hands around her neck forcing her to the ground face first then bound her wrists, nose, face and chin with duct tape.

“Whilst Mrs Holder lay bound and helpless on the ground outside the house, the offender demanded to know where a certain vehicle was, kicking her to the head. It was at that time that Mrs Holder realised the vehicle referred to by the offender belonged to another person she knew of.”

The Advertiser understands the intended target of the attack had been convicted of indecently assaulting a teenager in 2014.

Mrs Holder told The Advertiser that “damaging doesn’t even come close” to describing the impact the crimes had on her family.

“(We’re) very angry and stressed about whole process, let alone the profound impact the invasion has had on us all, especially the girls,” she said.

“My eldest has lasting PTSD and panic attacks while my youngest developed an eating disorder in a way of coping with PTSD.”

The married couple were left physically and mentally scarred from the attack. Picture: Facebook

Mr Holder suffered facial fractures, numbness, pain, swelling, lacerations, soreness and bruising to the torso and ribs. He was also knocked unconscious. Picture: Facebook

Mrs Holder said both of their daughters “live on lots of anxiety/depression medication just to function and we have had to hospitalise our youngest six times so far to keep her alive”.

“They are both on (the) spectrum, and psychological help has been unsuccessful because of neurodiversity,” she said.

“I am still afraid in my own home but I am able to find strategies to help make it easier to deal with unless something happens to bring on a panic attack.

“(and) I remain with internal anger and heartbreak, and fight just to survive day-by-day while I watch my broken kids fight for the same.

“We are completely innocent victims whose lives will forever be broken.”

Mr Holder continues to be a victim also, suffering from ongoing memory loss.

Judge Allen sentenced Forrester to 16 years, four months and 22 days imprisonment, telling him he “should feel deeply ashamed”.

Forrester will be eligible for parole in 2032.