Brother of mum allegedly stabbed protecting son with brain tumour in random Melbourne attack gives update

The brother of a heroic mother who was stabbed while protecting her 10-year-old son with a brain tumour has detailed the horrific injuries she sustained.

Cherie suffered four stab wounds, ligament damage to her neck and shoulder, an injury to her arm and fractured leg when she was allegedly attacked by 27-year-old Jerry Sowood outside Melbourne’s police headquarters on Tuesday.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Mother stabbed protecting son with brain tumour

The mother and her three sons had travelled from Phillip Island to Melbourne, which they did regularly for brain scan appointments for her 10-year-old after he was diagnosed with cancer in October 2023.

She told 7NEWS they were walking back to their hotel and were only metres away when they were allegedly set upon by Sowood.

The attack began when Sowood allegedly punched the 10-year-old boy in the side of the head, prompting his mother to intervene to protect her son.

The 46-year-old remains in hospital with the last of her wounds being stitched up on Wednesday night.

“She’s getting there. She’s very sore,” Kirk Holt told 774 ABC Melbourne on Thursday.

“She’s stressed. Part of it is being worried at not being with her son who had scans yesterday, so that has put stress on her.”

Holt said the family were nervous extra issues could arise on the little boy’s scans after the attack.

“The scan has come back good. It revealed that there’s no extra inflammation or swelling,” he told the program.

As the terrifying incident unfolded, Cherie’s eldest son ran into the police station to raise the alarm.

All the boys have struggled to sleep with the lights off since the attack.

Sowood has been charged with affray, two counts of intentionally cause injury and unlawful assault, conduct endanger life and conduct endanger serious injury.