Pensioner threatened by masked intruder brandishing screwdriver in west Belfast

By Q Radio News

A pensioner has been threatened by a masked intruder brandishing a screwdriver during a burglary in west Belfast. 

The woman, who is in her 70s, confronted the man at around 8.30pm last night after he forced his way into her house on Islandbawn Street and demanded money. 

She managed to raise the alarm before the suspect fled the scene. 

A PSNI spokepserosn said: ''Police received a report at around 8:30pm that a woman, aged in her seventies, confronted a masked male intruder in her home on Islandbawn Street who had forced entry to her home, causing damage to a door.

''When the victim disturbed the intruder, who was armed with a screwdriver, he brandished it at the victim, threatened her and demanded money.

''The victim tried to close a door on the suspect, but he pushed it open again. Thankfully, when she raised the alarm, the suspect ran off.

''The suspect is described as being around 5' 3'' tall, of a thin build, and wearing dark-coloured clothing with a black face mask and a black 'beanie' hat.''

Detective Sergeant O'Flaherty added: "Thankfully, the victim was not physically injured. However, as you can imagine, this must have been a frightening ordeal for the victim who was confronted by a masked man in her own home who threatened her. This would have been terrifying. It was despicable. 

"I want to appeal to anyone who may have been on Islandbawn Street between 8:25pm and 8:35pm last night, and who noticed anything out of the ordinary, or any individuals acting suspiciously, to call our detectives at Musgrave on 101, and quote reference number 1824 of 04/03/21.

''I want to take this opportunity to ask people, especially those with older relatives or neighbours, to look out for each. If you require further advice on home security, or any other aspect of crime prevention please ring us on 101 or check out psni.police.uk. If you are aware of suspicious activity in your neighbourhood please ring us immediately. Your call could prevent a crime."