A Port Kembla grandmother and her Good Samaritan neighbour have fought off an armed intruder during a terrifying home invasion Tuesday morning.
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Donna Porcella answered a ring at the back door of her Fitzwilliam Street home about 7am.
She says a masked man burst inside, pushing her tiny frame backwards so she fell over and hit the back of her head.
It was then that the intruder got more than he may have bargained for, with 73-year-old Ms Porcella hitting back.
"I was kicking him and trying to punch him from [a position] laying on the ground, and he was having trouble getting to me," said Ms Porcella.
"He pulled out a laser thing and started hitting me with a light and a laser.
"He was swearing and saying 'stop' and 'shut up'. I was screaming and kicking him. I was frightened. I was fighting for my life, I felt."
Ms Porcella said the taser appeared to malfunction, as she only felt "a bit of an electric shock" as the man discharged it multiple times.
"He got cranky. He didn't understand why it wasn't working harder."
Ms Porcella credits her neighbour Joel, a man aged in his 40s, with ending her ordeal. The intruder left on foot, empty handed, when Joel interrupted the attack.
"He came in and saved me," Ms Porcella said.
"The [intruder] ran through my house and out my front door.
"[Joel] chased him out and then they had a fight. You can see where the blood is. I think [Joel] was injured on his ear and his face. I think he will need surgery."
Ms Porcella was left with a large red bump on the back of her head. She attended Wollongong Hospital but was cleared to return home soon afterwards.
The attack comes seven years after Ms Porcella won her battle with esophageal cancer.
She said she would be making improvements to her home security and was glad to have walked away with only a sore head.
'He's a coward. to attack somebody my age and my weight - 48kgs. He's a coward."
Ms Porcella's son Michael met his mother at the hospital and accompanied her home.
"She looked OK but she was in a bit of stress, probably traumatised," he said.
"I think [the intruder] is going to be caught, and [he should] look out because karma's karma. The police are onto him and he'll be caught sooner rather than later."
"He's a coward, absolutely."
The Mercury understands the injured neighbour Joel, aged in his 40s, remains in hospital.
Detectives from Lake Illawarra Police District are investigating and the home was examined by forensic officers later Tuesday.
As investigations continue, detectives are appealing for anyone who may have seen a man in the area around the time of the incident to come forward. He is described as being of Caucasian appearance, aged in his 30s and wearing dark clothing and a dark face mask.
Contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 to provide any information that may assist police.
Do you know more? Email cos@illawarramercury.com.au
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