Woman bashed at Altona bookstore would help anyone, husband says

A WOMAN bashed in her bookshop made little money from the store but did it to help people discover the joy of reading.

Michael Overend

A WOMAN severely injured in a mystery bookshop bashing made little money from the business and just wanted to help people discover the joy of reading.

Michael Overend said it was "unbelievable" that anyone would attack his wife, Jill Brookes, in the kind of sustained attack which left her with severe head and body injuries.

Ms Brookes, 61, remains in intensive care at the Alfred Hospital a week after the attack at her Altona bookshop.

Mr Overend said the thief would have taken a maximum of $200 from a business which yielded his wife between $50 and $100 a day.

"She does it because she loves books, she loves reading and she wants other people to read as well," Mr Overend said.

"I don’t think anyone would do this intentionally without having some conscience about what they have done. She is just a person who would help anyone if they need it."

Mr Overend said whoever was responsible was in a frenzied state of mind.

The attack happened at West Side Stories at the Harrington Square shopping centre on July 20.

Detective Sgt Brad Lawrence of Hobsons Bay CIU described the assault as "vicious, cowardly".

He spoke as investigators manned an information caravan at Harrington Square in the hope of yielding clues to the assault, which happened at about 5pm.

Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit the website www.crimestoppers.com.au.