28/10/2002

Elderly couple 'physically and mentally abused' during robbery

Police have appealed for information after armed robbers "physically and mentally abused" an elderly couple in their Aughnacloy home over the weekend.

The couple were in their isolated farmhouse in the early hours of Sunday morning when gang of eight men burst in and ransacked their home.

The 70-year-old male occupant suffered wounds to both hands as he tried to protect himself before being held at knifepoint.

The gang stole a small amount of cash before cutting the electricity supply and locking the couple in the house.

They were left without heat or light for over 14 hours before being discovered by a nephew.

Police have called for anyone with information on the incident to contact detectives in Dungannon.

(MB)


Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

03 February 2006
Glengormley couple tied up during robbery
A couple in their 60's have been robbed in their home in Newtownabbey. The incident, which happened on Wednesday night, was only reported to police yesterday. A gang of up to four men, one of whom was armed with a handgun, forced their way into their home on the Hightown Road in Glengormley at around 9.30pm.
31 August 2001
Masked gang rob elderly couple at gunpoint
An elderly couple have been robbed at gunpoint in their County Antrim home in Ballymena. A police spokesperson said that four masked men, one armed with a handgun and the others wielding baseball bats, held up the couple as they returned to their home in Loughnagarry at around 10:30pm on Wednesday evening.
15 March 2004
Police appeal following burglary
Police are appealing for information following a burglary in south Belfast on Sunday. Money and jewellery were stolen from an elderly couple's home in Thalia Street while they were staying with friends. The couple returned later that day to discover the break-in.
24 January 2005
Co Down couple traumatised by robbery
A Co Down couple have been left severely traumatised after being assaulted in their home by a gang of robbers at the weekend. The couple were just going to bed at their home in the Upper Damolly Road area of Newry when they were confronted by an intruder.
16 June 2003
Armed gang kidnap Strabane family
An armed gang held a family hostage in their Co Tyrone home and forced a man to hand over the weekend takings from a shop, this morning. Three masked men forced their way into the house in the Ballycolman area in Strabane and confronted the family.