A chilling encounter has left an elderly couple in Royton, Greater Manchester, traumatized and seeking answers. The couple, Maureen and Roland Parkisson, were awakened by an intruder who demanded their bank cards and forced them to drink a mysterious black liquid.
Maureen, 79, was the first to encounter the burglar, who tapped her shoulder as she lay sleeping next to her husband. Startled and terrified, she described the intruder's appearance: a hooded figure wearing a hi-vis jacket and gloves.
"I thought it was Roland waking me up," Maureen recalled. "But when I saw his face, I knew something was wrong."
The burglar, described as a calm and softly-spoken individual, demanded the couple's bank cards and their PIN numbers. He also instructed them to drink a black liquid he had brought with him, which he poured into an empty glass found on the bedside table.
Roland, who has been with Maureen for 50 years, sipped the liquid but immediately spat it out. "He said it would make me sleep," Maureen explained.
The couple described the 15-minute ordeal as terrifying, with the intruder holding two bread knives he had taken from their kitchen. Despite his calm demeanor, the impact on the couple has been profound.
"I keep seeing his face, it replays in my head," Roland said, expressing the trauma he and Maureen are still processing.
Maureen added, "I just can't get his face out of my mind. He was young, maybe 20 to 40 years old. We're still in shock."
The Greater Manchester Police have confirmed that the intruder stole wallets, demanded PIN numbers, and took the couple's phones. The suspect is described as a black male of large build, approximately 6ft tall, with big curly hair, and dressed in all black with a yellow high-visibility gilet.
Officers suspect that this incident is linked to another burglary in the area, targeting elderly residents. They believe the offender gained access through unlocked front doors, with no signs of forced entry.
Detective Chief Inspector Zahid Latif from Oldham CID emphasized the seriousness of the situation: "We are determined to find this offender and bring him to justice. Our community will not tolerate such horrific crimes against vulnerable members."
The police have urged the public to ensure their homes are secure, even when they are inside, and to support elderly neighbors or relatives who may be feeling vulnerable.
"If you have any information, no matter how small, please come forward. We need to keep our community safe," Latif added.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of home security and the need to support our vulnerable neighbors. The impact of such traumatic events can be long-lasting, and the search for answers and justice is crucial.
