The 88-year-old retiree living in The Haven suffered bleeding to the brain after he was viciously assaulted by another tenant at the centre, police claim. 

An altercation broke out between the victim and a 69-year-old man after the alleged assailant accused the 88-year-old of stealing his favourite coffee mug. 

It is believed the older resident denied the allegations, before he was punched in the head multiple times. 

Detectives charged the 69-year-old on Sunday with assault occasioning actual bodily harm after the victim was left with serious facial injuries.

Inspector Andrew Spliet said it was a bizarre incident considering the two men involved had no prior history with one another. 

“Police believe the two men, who were not known to each other, got in a heated disagreement before the victim was assaulted,” he said.

“We understand it was quite difficult for a number of the residents to witness.”

Family friend and Wagga councillor Paul Funnell said the victim has been extremely shaken by the “unprovoked” attack.

“He sustained horrific head injuries,” he said. “All he wants to do is get back to the Haven.

“He loves it there and think’s its a wonderful place but now he’ll be traumatised.”

The violent assault comes during a crime-plagued weekend that saw break and enters across the city. The busy weekend has prompted a three-day police blitz, which will run from Monday to Thursday this week.

It has been described as a “beefed up” Operation Assure. 

Inspector Phil Malligan said additional police officers will work to reinstate a sense of safety in the community. 

“It has been a scary few weeks with a shooting, assaults and high rates of property offences so this operation will look to reduce crime across the city,” he said. “Police will target high risk areas and will work around the clock to catch the culprits in this latest spike.

“We believe a high number of these offences are being committed by recidivist offenders and so they are our target.”

The blitz comes after a shooting in North Wagga on Thursday, which sent shock-waves through the suburb.