A traumatized elderly couple describe the terrifying moment a calm, robed intruder woke them in the early hours, stole their wallets, and pressed them to drink a mysterious black liquid while brandishing two knives.
Maureen Parkisson was the first to notice the intruder when he tapped her shoulder as she lay beside her husband, Roland, at their home on Roman Road in Royton around 5am on Tuesday, February 10.
Shaken and alarmed, Maureen spoke to the hooded man, who wore a hi‑vis jacket and gloves. “What do you want?” she asked. He replied, “I’m working outside.” She retorted, “At 5am in the morning? I don’t think so.”
The 79-year-old grandmother recounted that the man demanded their bank cards and PINs, and held two bread knives from their kitchen as he spoke in a soft, unsettling tone. He then poured a black liquid into an empty glass found on the bedside table and ordered Roland to drink it, which he did only to spit it out moments later.
Maureen recalled the intruder saying, “This’ll make you sleep,” as he continued his request for the couple’s cards and PINs. The 15‑minute ordeal left both of them frightened and shaken.
Roland remembered the assailant as calm and softly spoken, while Maureen described him as a young man, possibly between 20 and 40 years old, with a large build, curly hair, dressed entirely in black and wearing a yellow high‑visibility vest.
The couple, who have been together for five decades, say the incident has left them with lasting distress. They can’t sleep easily now and are struggling to understand why someone would target them in their own home. They have lived in the house since 1986 and had never experienced anything like this before.
Police say the intruder also took their phones in addition to the wallets and PIN information. There was no sign of forced entry in either this incident or a related burglary nearby, leading investigators to suspect the front doors were left unlocked but closed.
Detectives and local authorities say they are treating this as a serious offense against vulnerable residents and have increased patrols. They are coordinating with Oldham Council and Adult Social Care to keep the community informed and to support neighbors who may feel unsettled.
Authorities urge anyone with information to contact the police at 101, reference log 39 of 16/02/2026 or use GMP LiveChat, or call emergency services at 999 if there is immediate danger. Residents are encouraged to double-check that doors and windows are secured and to look out for elderly neighbors who may need extra help during this time.
Thought-provoking question for readers: If you were in a similar situation, what immediate steps would you take to protect yourself and loved ones while staying safe until help arrives? Would you favor stronger home security measures, community watch programs, or different police response tactics in such cases?
