Melbourne dad Brett Halcro ‘completely innocent’ in horrific Pyrmont attack
A family has opened up about a “vile and horrific” attack in Sydney which left a “shy and kind” Melbourne dad blind in his right eye and permanently disfigured.
Police & Courts
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The family of a Melbourne dad left blinded and in a coma after he was allegedly stabbed by a gang of boastful private school boys say he was “completely innocent”.
Brett Halcro, 36, was in Sydney helping renovate his father’s home when he was stabbed in the eye and had his face slashed open at least seven times in Pyrmont on Friday night.
Nine teenagers from some of Sydney’s most elite private schools have been arrested over what police believe was a “planned and targeted attack”.
A relative of Mr Halcro, a Melbourne music industry promoter, said he is a “shy” and “caring guy” who would never invite violence.
“(Brett) is the kind of guy who is shy and would turn away from confrontation but he was put into a position where he had no chance to defend himself,” the relative said.
“He was completely innocent and it’s really distressing that something so horrific could happen to your own family member. It’s almost inhumane.”
Mr Halcro remained in an induced coma at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital on Thursday, where medical staff were monitoring whether he could be taken off a ventilator.
Mr Halcro is now blind in his right eye and will be permanently disfigured due to facial scarring.
Theresa Keecherer, the victim’s former partner, said their four-year-old daughter has been asking for her dad and doesn’t know about the attack.
“I can’t bring myself to tell her. She does wonder why he hasn’t been calling. We normally talk every night,” she said.
“It’s hit me pretty hard. I still love and care for him.
“His number one priority is our little girl. She is the highlight of his life.”
Mr Halcro was severely injured in a pedestrian crash on St Kilda Rd in the CBD four years ago and suffered ongoing post-traumatic stress.
His former partner said she can’t imagine what life will be like for him when he eventually wakes.
“I pray and hope there will be some sort of miracle because even the strongest person would have a hard time living with that,” Ms Keecherer said.
She said she is “furious” with his alleged assailants and wants them locked up.
“I don’t care if they are 15 or 16 years old. They need to be locked up. It is psychopathic.”
Mr Halcro had only planned to stay in Sydney for a few weeks to help his dad but got caught out by the border restrictions.
He has family based in Melbourne and Queensland who are devastated they can’t be with him in hospital.
He also sustained a broken jaw and defensive wounds to one of his hands and both arms.
Nine teens were arrested over the attack captured on CCTV and mobile phone footage.
Court documents obtained by News Corp revealed one boy allegedly texted a friend saying: “I put the shattered bottle in his stomach and then (another boy) slit his face like 15 times and stabbed him in the eye.
“He stuck it in his eye. Put it in deeper. And swivelled the knife around. So funny.”
Prosecutor Sergeant Kai Jiang told Surry Hills Children’s Court that the group “were gloating about the injuries. They were almost proud of the infliction of violence”.
It was alleged the group had discussed taking revenge on anyone who went to police in relation to the attack.
Magistrate Jeffrey Hogg described it as a “vile, horrific crime” when denying bail to a 15-year-old co-accused.
“The injuries are extraordinarily severe and life-changing,” Mr Hogg said.
The family of Mr Halcro have established an online fundraiser to help in his long road to recovery.
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