Gooseberry Hill, Perth: Daughters ‘heartbroken’ after alleged machete attack on their mother

The ‘heartbroken’ daughters of a domestic violence employee has asked for privacy after their mother’s throat was slit in an alleged domestic violence incident.

Paulette Mountford, 60, is known as a ‘warm’ church worker at the church Perth community, but is now fighting for her life after an alleged machete attack on Tuesday evening.

Neighbors found Mrs Mountford in the front garden of a Gooseberry Hill home, in Perth’s east, with life-threatening stab wounds after her husband, 72-year-old Christopher John Sullivan, allegedly stabbed her about 5.30pm.

The 60-year-old mother suffered injuries to her neck and torso and has remained in a critical condition at Royal Perth Hospital as of Wednesday evening after undergoing emergency surgery.

Ms Mountford’s daughters released a statement on Wednesday saying they were struggling to come to terms with their mother’s injuries.

Mrs Mountford’s (pictured) husband Christopher John Sullivan is said to have slit her throat with a machete

A major police operation responded to the incident at the Gooseberry Hill home (pictured).

“It is too early to think about anything other than our mother’s recovery, so we ask that we be given space and privacy to focus on our mother,” they wrote.

“Thank you to those who came to her aid in her time of need, and to those who continue to care for her.

‘We are devastated and heartbroken that our dear mother has endured such a horrific ordeal and is now fighting for her life at Royal Perth Hospital.

‘It is difficult for us to understand that such a kind-hearted person should suffer so deeply.

“All we want right now is for our mother to overcome her injuries, and we pray and hope that she gets better soon. She is a strong woman and we know she will use all her strength to get better.”

It is claimed that Sullivan barricaded himself in a house on Jessie Road after the alleged attack, prompting a large police response, with tactical officers in attendance.

Sullivan was confronted in the Perth Magistrates Court on Wednesday wearing a blue jumpsuit and said he wanted to represent himself. WA Today reported.

Magistrate Tanya Watt told Sullivan he needed legal advice because of the serious allegations against him and adjourned the case until later that day.

Sullivan’s appointed lawyer later returned with the suspect and said he would apply for legal aid.

Sullivan who entered did not enter a plea or apply for bail.

He was remanded in custody to appear at Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court on June 26.

One of the couple’s neighbors, Lorraine, told 9News that Mrs. Mountford is a respected member of the Gooseberry Hill community.

“She is a very warm lady, she also does a lot of work for the church,” she said.

“She goes to church and actually works in domestic violence, she helps the ladies.”

Domestic violence has become a widespread problem in Australia, with many describing it as an ‘epidemic’.

One in four Australian women have experienced violence at the hands of an intimate partner, the people who are meant to love them most.

Paulette Mountford (left) is in critical condition after an alleged machete attack on a street in Perth’s east on Tuesday evening (right)

Ms Mountford (pictured) is a respected member of the Perth community, helping women fleeing domestic violence

Counting Dead Women Australia, an organization that tracks violent deaths of women across the country, recorded 35 deaths as of June 2.

That means that so far this year, a woman has died every four and a half days due to gender-based violence.

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, please contact the 1800 RESPECT hotline on 1800 737 732 for support.

Call 000 if you are in immediate danger.