Joel Shaw and his partner, Matilda White, were abruptly awakened when a group allegedly forced their way into their home on Zuleika Street in Surrey Downs around 1 a.m. today.

The 26-year-old Shaw sprang into action to fend off the intruders, who were masked, hooded, and armed with a knife.

Despite the group’s demands for his keys and valuables, Shaw stood his ground as they launched an assault, throwing themselves, along with furniture and cans, at him.

During the chaotic encounter, Shaw reported being slashed on the arm with a machete, struck over the head with a tree branch, and punched multiple times.

“It was pretty brutal, especially since I was the only one there to defend myself. It was six against one,” Shaw recounted to 9News.

“I was genuinely fearing for my life,” he admitted.

White, who was hiding in another room, said one of the home invaders took out their phone and started recording Shaw being punched in the face. 

She managed to secretly call triple zero before her phone was ripped away from her.

The attack was over in just five minutes, and the group allegedly fled on Shaw’s motorbike with his Xbox and wallet. 

“They said if I contact the police or anything they’ll come back and kill me,” Shaw said. 

But police were nearby and able to intercept the group.

“By the time they got up the road, the police were coming down the road and saw them all trying to get on the bike,” White said. 

The group allegedly dumped the bike and managed to scatter in every direction, but not before police arrested a 26-year-old man from Elizabeth North.

He has been charged with several serious offences.

His alleged accomplices are still on the run as the victims try to recover from the attack.

“They might get a thrill out of it, but it’s just not worth it. Someone might get seriously injured or killed,” Shaw said. 

“It’s horrible, no one should ever go through something like this,” White said. 

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