Boy punched in Melbourne CBD was visiting for cancer treatment, uncle says
The brother of a woman who was stabbed in Melbourne in a random attack on her and her son has appealed for more to be done to address violent crime in the city.
Warning: This story contains images some people may find distressing.
Phillip Island woman Cherie is recovering in hospital from multiple stab wounds and a fractured leg following the incident on Tuesday.
Cherie is in hospital recovering from multiple injuries following the attack on Tuesday. (Supplied)
Yesterday, 27-year-old Sunshine West man Jerry Sowood faced court charged with several offences including intentionally causing injury and conduct endangering life.
It is alleged he punched Cherie's 10-year-old son before stabbing her multiple times with a pair of scissors.
Cherie's brother Kirk Holt said she suffered four stab wounds, ligament damage around her neck and shoulder and a fractured leg.
"She's very sore. Recovering. They finally stitched up the last of her wounds last night. She's been very sore though," he told ABC Radio Melbourne.
"She's a very tough lady but she's very stressed."
Mr Holt said Cherie travelled to Melbourne with her 10-year-old and two other sons from Phillip island where they live.
Her son was diagnosed with cancer in October 2023 and travels to Melbourne regularly for treatment.
Cherie and her three sons were in Melbourne for scans on her 10-year-old who has cancer. (Supplied)
"They were in Melbourne for their regular routine of getting scans to see how things were going when the incident happened," he said.
"After the attack we were afraid that it could have caused extra issues.
"The scan has come back good. It revealed that there's no extra inflammation or swelling from the attack."
Mr Holt said Cherie's eldest son alerted police to the attack, which happened near Victoria Police Headquarters in Spencer Street.
He said the boys have had "a couple of tough nights" following the incident.
"They're missing mum. They want to be with mum and they're really worried about how she is and just very wary about people walking along the street," he said.
Cherie suffered multiple stab wounds in the attack in Melbourne's CBD on Tuesday. (Supplied)
People 'scared' to go out on Melbourne's streets
Mr Holt said the random attack has heightened his concerns about safety in Melbourne's CBD.
"It really worries me the way the city is going at the moment. There is a lot of violent crime happening out there," he said.
The latest data from the Crime Statistics Agency for the Melbourne local government area showed there were more than 2,100 recorded assaults and related offences in the year to March 2026.
"I'm afraid for my kids when they go out there, I'm afraid for my sister and her family as well and just people I know," Mr Holt said.
"There's just too much happening out there at the moment.
"We're supposed to be one of the top, most liveable cities on earth — not if you're scared to go out on the streets it's not."
The attack happened outside Victoria Police headquarters in Spencer Street on Tuesday. (Supplied)
The alleged attacker, Mr Sowood, was restrained by bystanders at the scene until police arrived.
Appearing in Melbourne Magistrates' Court yesterday via video link, he appeared to describe details of the incident the magistrate began asking about health issues that might affect his time in custody.
"There's no need to hide it," he said.
"At least they're both still breathing, so I kept my humanity intact."
The court heard it was his first time in custody.
No application for bail was made and he will return to court in November.
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