Adrian Barker: Ex-cop feared he would die during alleged axe attack by gang of teens as shocking images emerge of his injuries

A former police officer feared he would die after a gang of teenagers allegedly attacked him with an ax and hammers.

Adrian Barker, 54, suffered internal bleeding, serious head injuries and a broken hand in the alleged attack in Wandina, Western Australia.

He was returning home from work around 3 a.m. Sunday when he noticed someone had tried to break into his property.

It is alleged that a neighbor reported an attempted break-in to police who arrived on scene, according to 7 Regional News.

Mr Barker said the alleged attack was unlike anything he had experienced while in the force and he thought he was “going to die”.

“At that point, I was alone there,” he said.

Mr Barker was taken to hospital with internal bleeding, a broken hand, bruising near his lung and lacerations requiring stitches, but was released later that day.

He maintains that the justice system is not harsh enough towards young offenders.

“Young people can do horrible things, young people in groups can do them without even thinking about it. But not mentioning that it hurts the people who are actually in the city,” he said.

Acting Geraldton Police officer Senior Sergeant Paul Johnson said a large number of burglaries have been reported in the area, but the occupier of an address is rarely attacked.

“We understand that these kinds of things are frustrating, but you never know when it’s going to go from bad to worse,” he said.

A 17-year-old boy has been charged with attempted aggravated burglary and committing an act causing bodily harm with intent to harm.

Police also charged a 14-year-old boy with one count of attempted aggravated burglary.

Investigations into other potential co-offenders are ongoing.