Western Sydney man charged with trying to smother his bedridden elderly mother to death

PICTURED: Son charged with trying to smother his bedridden elderly mother to death – as it’s revealed the only thing that saved her life was a medical alarm bracelet

  • Shaun Johnston, 36, allegedly tried to suffocate his mother Pamela Gannon, 64 
  • She was saved from alleged attack as she activated her medical alert bracelet
  • Mother suffered extensive bruising after allegedly fighting him off for two hours
  • ‘Adrenaline and her will to live is how she is still here,’ her daughter-in-law said 
  • Johnston charged with attempting to strangle/suffocate with intent to murder 
  • The accused was formally denied bail at Blacktown Local Court on Friday 

Shaun Johnston, 36, allegedly tried to smother his own bedridden mother to death with a pillow when she told him she didn’t have any money to give him

A man allegedly tried to smother his own bedridden mother to death with a pillow when she refused to lend him money.

Shaun Johnston, 36, is accused of trying to suffocate Pamela Gannon, 64, after arriving at her home in Lalor Park, western Sydney at about 11.30pm on Wednesday.

The woman was only saved from the alleged attack because she activated her medical alert bracelet – notifying other family members and emergency services.

Ms Gannon, who suffered extensive bruising and was taken to Blacktown hospital, allegedly had to fight her son off for two hours.

Her daughter-in-law, Beck, called emergency services after allegedly arriving at the home first and discovering Johnston in Ms Gannon’s bedroom. 

‘You could see in him there was something different,’ Beck told 9News.

‘Adrenaline and her will to live is how she is still here. I’m very proud of her.’   

Johnston was formally denied bail at Blacktown Local Court on Friday after being arrested at the scene and charged with attempting to strangle/suffocate with intent to murder.

Neighbours though were none the wiser about what was allegedly unfolding within the suburban home. 

Ms Gannon's daughter-in-law, Beck, called emergency services after arriving at the home first and discovering Johnston in Ms Gannon's bedroom (pictured)

Ms Gannon’s daughter-in-law, Beck, called emergency services after arriving at the home first and discovering Johnston in Ms Gannon’s bedroom (pictured)

Ms Gannon (her arms pictured after alleged incident with medical alert bracelet on the left wrist) allegedly had to fight her son off for two hours

Ms Gannon (her arms pictured after alleged incident with medical alert bracelet on the left wrist) allegedly had to fight her son off for two hours

‘They had some pretty loud heavy music going on for a couple (of) hours,’ one neighbour told 7News. 

Assistant NSW Police Commissioner Mark Jones said police will allege Johnston also used a towel to suffocate his mother. 

‘An argument has ensued and during that argument police will allege the offender has taken both a pillow and later a towel and attempted to try to suffocate his mother,’ Mr Jones said. 

He described the alleged attack as ‘incredibly disturbing’ and ‘horrific’.

Neighbours though were none the wiser about what was allegedly unfolding within the suburban home (pictured), with one saying heavy metal music was playing for 'a couple (of) hours'

Neighbours though were none the wiser about what was allegedly unfolding within the suburban home (pictured), with one saying heavy metal music was playing for ‘a couple (of) hours’

 

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