An elderly couple recounted a frightening encounter when they were abruptly awakened by a composed burglar demanding they consume a mysterious “black liquid” while wielding two knives. Maureen Parkisson vividly remembers the face of the intruder following the harrowing break-in at their residence in Oldham, Greater Manchester. The initial confrontation with the burglar fell upon Maureen, who was tapped on the shoulder as she lay beside her husband, Roland.
In a state of shock, Maureen engaged in conversation with the hooded man, dressed in a hi-vis jacket and gloves, who forcibly entered their home in the Royton vicinity of the town at approximately 5 a.m. on a Tuesday morning. Recalling the incident, Maureen described feeling the intruder’s hand on her shoulder and questioning his presence, to which he claimed to be working outside, prompting her disbelief at such an early hour.
The 79-year-old grandmother disclosed that the burglar coerced them to hand over their bank cards and ingest the peculiar liquid he had brought along. Additionally, the intruder menacingly wielded two bread knives taken from their kitchen. Roland recounted how the intruder poured the liquid into a glass on the bedside table and instructed him to drink it, an act which he promptly rejected after tasting it.
Describing the intruder’s demeanor as eerily composed, the couple noted his soft-spoken demands for their bank cards and PIN. Roland and Maureen, who have shared five decades together, expressed their ongoing shock and disturbed sleep patterns since the incident. Reflecting on the emotional distress caused, Roland admitted to replaying the ordeal in his mind, while Maureen expressed the haunting image of the intruder lingering in her thoughts.
Authorities from Greater Manchester Police confirmed an ongoing investigation into two connected aggravated burglaries in the Royton region. One incident involved an 82-year-old victim who encountered a burglar hiding under a dining table, resulting in physical assault and theft of personal belongings. Despite injuries sustained, the victim managed to seek help, ensuring his safety and receiving medical attention at a local hospital.
Detective Chief Inspector Zahid Latif emphasized the seriousness of the crimes and assured heightened patrols in the area to apprehend the offender. Urging community vigilance, Latif emphasized the importance of securing residences and supporting vulnerable individuals. Anyone with relevant information was urged to contact the authorities promptly, emphasizing a collective effort to maintain community safety and combat criminal activities.
