Senior who was attacked in robbery feeling safe again in new home

A Halifax senior beaten in a home invasion in December is still bruised and sore from her ordeal, but finally feeling safe after moving into a seniors complex.

"It's an awful thing to live in fear," said Jeanette MacDonald, 85, who suffered two black eyes in the robbery. "It's good to be in here because the people are friendly."

MacDonald was in her former west-end Halifax home where she lived alone on Dec. 20 when a mancameto her door, punched her in the face and demanded moneywhile threatening he had a gun.

'I didn't think I was going to see the next day'

When she refused to give the man money, hepunched her in the face again, grabbed her arm and pulled her out of the house. Neighbours came to help when they heard MacDonaldscreaming.

"I didn't think I was going to see the next day. That's how bad it was,"MacDonaldsaid.

Paul AlexanderSponagle, a career criminal from Halifax who wasreleased from prison less than six months before the attack, was charged in connection to the incident.

He was also charged in connection with another robbery involving two senior women that occurred the following night.

Suspect requests psychiatric exam

The 43-year-old man appeared Tuesday inHalifax provincial court for a bail hearing. His duty legal aid lawyer saidSponaglehas mental health issues and requested a 30-day psychiatricexam.

Judge MarcChisholmsaid he didn't have enough evidence to warrant a 30-day exam andordered a 24-hour exam instead.

Sponagleis due back in court Wednesday.He remains in custody.

MacDonaldsaid she's happy to live somewhere more secure. She said she has no living family members.

"I have friends. They come and visit," she said. "I like the view, it's nice and bright."

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