Berkeley Vale: Ronald Fowler, 95, charged with grievous wounding wife, Joy, 70

The family of an elderly couple — who both suffer from dementia — have been left shattered after Ronald Fowler, 95, was charged with critically wounding his wife, Joy, in an alleged domestic dispute at the couple’s Berkeley Vale home.

The house at Sunnyhills Terrace, Berkeley Vale, where a woman, 70, suffered critical head injuries. Her husband, 95, was charged with wounding. Picture: Richard Noone

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Dressed in blue forensic overalls and appearing confused a 95-year-old man appeared at Wyong Local Court late Tuesday afternoon charged with wounding his wife, 70, with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Ronald Henry Fowler spoke over Magistrate Caleb Franklin at times and could be heard saying he had “a beautiful wife” and “I love my wife” during his brief appearance via video link following his arrest about 9.15pm on Monday.

The court heard when police arrived at the couple’s home on Sunnyhills Terrace, at Berkeley Vale, they found Ms Fowler unconscious and Mr Fowler “was yelling”.

The house at Sunnyhills Terrace, Berkeley Vale, where a woman, 70, suffered critical head injuries. A man, 95, is assisting police with their inquiries. Picture: Richard Noone

Police will allege Mr Fowler hit his wife over the head with a wine bottle.

However Mr Franklin said from the police facts it was not clear why he was yelling and he could have been yelling “for her to come back”.

He said both Mr and Mrs Fowler suffered dementia, which further complicated the prosecution’s case and it was “circumstantial” given the victim was unconscious and unable to make a complaint.

Joy Fowler was flown to The John Hunter Hospital. Picture: Peter Lorimer.

Paramedics treated Ms Fowler for a significant head injury and she was later flown to John Hunter Hospital where she remains in a critical condition.

Two of Mr Fowler’s sons were present in court and while the prosecutor formally opposed bail, she conceded strict conditions, including that he live with one of his sons, could mitigate any further risk to the community.

Mr Franklin said Mr Fowler came before the court with no criminal history and given his age and medical conditions, was a vulnerable person himself.

The 95-year-old man was charged with wounding his wife.

The magistrate granted bail with an added condition that his sons take Mr Fowler to Wyong Hospital to be assessed within 24 hours and accept any treatment plan.

At one stage Mr Franklin had to put Mr Fowler on mute “to prevent him from putting anything else on the record”.

“If I’ve done anything wrong I will pay for it myself,” Mr Fowler had said loudly moments earlier from the audio-visual suite at Wyong Police Station.

The matter was adjourned to September 8.