SHAYNNA’S WORST NIGHTMARE

An unprovoked attack has left the popular judge advocating for change

The Block star Shaynna Blaze has broken her silence about the shocking attack she suffered at the hands of a stranger, saying she hopes her assailant “gets the help he needs so this doesn’t happen to anyone else”.

Mark Christopher Surmon, 40, has been sentenced to 100 days in jail for approaching the 59-year-old interior designer from behind on April 18, 2020, striking her in the back of the head and punching her left cheek while she was out walking her dog in Melbourne, causing Shaynna to fall face-first down onto her chin.

Detailing the terrifying incident in court, a detective revealed that when the Nine star started to scream, her attacker “attempted to quieten her by putting his hand around her face and mouth”.

“He placed pressure on her shoulders to keep her down while this occurred,” he added, revealing the mum-of-two “had no opportunity to run” during the “unprovoked attack”.

MOVING ON

The court was told the crime had a “significant and prolonged impact” on Shaynna, who provided two victim impact statements emphasising “the ongoing effects that this offending has had on [her]”