Cleaner accused of sickening attack on 92yo woman was trusted by victim’s family

The young woman who allegedly stabbed and badly bashed a 92-year-old lady as she clutched at her body-worn panic button had worked as a cleaner for the elderly woman for more than a year.

Officers leave the Ashbury home with evidence bags. Picture: Bill Hearne

The young woman who allegedly stabbed and badly bashed a 92-year-old lady as she clutched at her body-worn panic button had worked as a cleaner for the elderly woman for more than a year.

Hanny Papanicolaou — who was trusted the victim’s family — is alleged to have left Marjorie Welsh, who is now in an induced coma, bleeding profusely from her head and abdomen on the floor of her home in Ashbury, in Sydney’s inner west.

35-year-old cleaner Hanny Papanicolaou. Picture: Supplied

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Police said Ms Welsh’s emergency device may well have saved her life.

Police allege Papanicolaou — who has been charged with attempted murder and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm — set upon Ms Welsh in the home about 10.45am on Wednesday.

Ms Welsh’s neighbour Adrian said he saw a woman scamper across their adjoining fence, jump into a neighbouring park and flee the scene at the time of the attack.

Papanicolaou, 35, is understood to have broken her ankle as she tried to flee the scene and was photographed covering her head with a blanket as she was wheeled out of hospital on Thursday.

“I heard a thud, someone was climbing along the side fence. It looked like a little girl at first,” Adrian, 38, told The Daily Telegraph.

“I heard: ‘Help, help, help’ … I tried to go in one door and it was locked so I went in the side door.

“I saw her (Ms Welsh) lying face down with blood all over the back of her head.”

The 35-year-old woman under police escort at Sutherland Hospital on Thursday. Picture: Monique Harmer.

Forensic teams gather evidence at the Ashbury house on Wednesday night. Picture: Bill Hearne

A crime scene was established at the home while forensic officers examined evidence. Picture: Bill Hearne

Adrian ran to get his phone but Ms Welsh had already pushed her home emergency device and police and paramedics were en route.

She was rushed to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, where she was placed in an induced coma.

Police confirmed Ms Welsh was conscious at the time of the attack and had given officers a statement.

A motive for the alleged attack has not yet emerged and sources told The Telegraph that Papanicolaou had cleaned for other relatives of Ms Welsh so was well-known and trusted by the family.

The 92-year-old is expected to undergo more surgery for her injuries.

Papanicolaou has been charged with attempted murder of a 92-year-old woman. Picture: Supplied

Papanicolaou was arrested during a vehicle stop at Illawong. Picture: Supplied

Police who arrived on the scene immediately broadcast the details of Papanicolaou’s vehicle across Sydney and she was arrested less than two hours after the attack.

Papanicolaou was stopped while driving a car in Illawong, 30 minutes south of the crime scene and 40 minutes from her own suburb of Rosebery.

Forensic officer inside the Holden Street house.

Officer takes evidence from scene. Pictures: Bill Hearne

She appeared briefly via videolink at Parramatta Bail Court, where her charges were adjourned to Wednesday, when she is expected to apply for bail.

Police outside the Holden Street home. Picture: Bill Hearne