Billy Reynolds with his dog Maggie who helped fend off an intruder at his home in Parkerville.
Camera IconBilly Reynolds with his dog Maggie who helped fend off an intruder at his home in Parkerville. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Parkerville boy (13) receives bravery award from police for role in stopping violent assault

Sarah BrookesHills Avon Valley Gazette

A 13-year-old boy from Parkerville who intervened in a horrific, violent assault on his mother and aunty has been presented with a bravery certificate by police.

La Salle student Billy Kelly said he was on his trampoline in his backyard on the afternoon on January 16 when he saw a man acting strangely.

“The man came on to our property and mum went down to politely ask him to leave,” he said.

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“The guy starting punching mum, dragging her by the hair and then pushed her to ground and started kicking her.

“I ran down and tried to get him off mum and told him to just walk away.”

Billy said when the man would not stop he ran back to his house and called police.

“I told the police there was a crazy guy beating up my mum and aunty,” he said.

“I stayed on the phone and went back down and told the guy I had called the police.”

Billy said the situation escalated and the man struck his aunty on the head with a rock.

“I picked up a rock and jumped on him and tried to lure him away,” he said.

“He then started running after me and threatening to kill me.

“Just as he was about to drop a big rock on mum’s head my aunty jumped on him and stopped him. If she hadn’t done that I’m not sure mum would still be alive.

“Luckily we were able to run off and get inside and lock the doors.”

Billy said he acted instinctively during the 45 minute attack, but the events of that day were hard to forget.

“It left me pretty messed up,” he said.

“I think about it a lot but I am so grateful my aunty was there to protect mum; she saved her life.”

His mum Chrissy Kelly said she could not be prouder of her son.

“It all happened so quickly,” she said.

“If it wasn’t for Billy intervening it could have been a totally different outcome.”

WA Police spokesman Andrew Maher said both woman required hospital treatment for multiple lacerations requiring stitches.

“Thirty-seven-year-old Parkerville man Scott Andrew Burgum was arrested without incident and taken to Midland St John of God Hospital for treatment to a head injury he received during the altercations,” he said.

“Mr Burgum was charged with assault occasioning bodily harm, stealing a motor vehicle, trespass and threats to injure, endanger or harm any person.”

He was refused bail and appeared in the Midland Magistrates Court on January 17 where he was granted 100 hours of community service.

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