Elderly Couple Forced to Drink 'Black Liquid' in Terrifying Home Invasion
An elderly couple in Greater Manchester have been left traumatized after a hooded intruder broke into their home, woke them from sleep, demanded their bank details, and forced them to drink an unknown "black liquid" while brandishing kitchen knives. The incident, which lasted approximately 15 minutes, has shattered the sense of security for Roland and Maureen Parkisson, who have lived in their Royton home for 40 years without prior issues.
The Nightmare Unfolds
Maureen Parkisson, 79, was the first to encounter the intruder when she felt a hand tap her shoulder at around 5 a.m. one Tuesday morning this month. Thinking it was her husband Roland, she turned to see a man wearing a hi-vis jacket, gloves, and a hood. "I said, 'what do you want?!' And he said 'I'm working outside.' I said, 'at 5am in the morning? I don't think so!'" Maureen recounted to the Manchester Evening News.
The intruder, described as calm and softly spoken, then produced two breadknives from the couple's kitchen and demanded their bank cards and PIN numbers. He also instructed them to drink a mysterious black substance he had brought with him, claiming it would make them sleep. Roland Parkisson sipped the liquid from a glass on the bedside table before immediately spitting it out.
Aftermath and Police Response
The couple, married for 50 years, say the experience has left them in shock and struggling to sleep. "I keep seeing him, it keeps replaying in my head," Roland said. Maureen added, "I just see his face all the time now... We're still in shock, we take so long to go to bed now." The intruder stole their wallets, phones, and demanded PINs before fleeing.
Greater Manchester Police have confirmed the incident and are investigating possible links to another burglary in the Royton area, where an offender with a similar description targeted elderly residents. In both cases, there was no sign of forced entry, with police believing the intruder gained access through unlocked front doors.
Detective Chief Inspector Zahid Latif from Oldham CID stated, "We are taking this extremely seriously... Our enquiries are well underway to locate and identify the man responsible for intimidating and committing these horrific crimes against vulnerable members of our community." Police have increased patrols and are urging residents to lock doors and windows, even when at home.
Community Impact and Safety Warnings
The suspect is described as a black male of large build, approximately 6 feet tall, with big curly hair, dressed in all black with a yellow high-visibility gilet. Authorities suspect he may be deliberately targeting elderly residents in Royton.
DCI Latif emphasized, "Detectives will be relentless in their search for this offender, and we will use every resource available to bring him into custody." He also reminded the public to support elderly neighbors and report any information to police via 101, GMP LiveChat, or 999 in emergencies.
The Parkissons, who have endured a difficult year including health issues, expressed their devastation. "It's horrible, we've been in this house since 1986 and we have never had any problems," Maureen said, highlighting how the invasion has upended their long-standing peace.
