One of the rooms which the robbers left ransacked.
-Junior Dowie photo
Tyrone Reid, Staff Reporter
FAMILY MEMBERS of former prime minister, the late Michael Manley were gunbutted, slapped in the face and tied up during a robbery at their house in Drumblair, St. Andrew late Friday night.
Douglas Manley, 84, son of the national hero Norman Manley and brother of the late prime minister, confirmed that he was slapped in the face and gunbutted. However, he did not sustain any injuries. Norman, one of Douglas' son said that one of the intruders hit him across the neck and pointed a gun to his head while he was lying face down on the ground.
When The Sunday Gleaner arrived at the upper St. Andrew residence forensic specialists were combing through the
ransacked house for clues that could lead to an arrest.
Douglas Manley told The Sunday Gleaner that approximately $5,000, two cable boxes and some alcoholic beverages were stolen from his home.
"When I came to get myself a drink, the beer was gone and the bottle of scotch ... so they got pretty high," said the golden-ager with a chuckle.
Mr. Manley's car was also stolen, but the police recovered it yesterday.
OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS ROBBED
He said that after the thieves tied him and another of his sons with pieces of fabric, they made their way to the adjoining property where Norman lives with his wife Jenny, two children and granddaughter, and
continued their rampage. They stole Norman's .380 semi-automatic pistol and a Palm Pilot an electronic instrument he said was valued at more than $30,000. Other family members were also robbed.
Although the family is traumatised, no one was seriously hurt. They said they are giving thanks that their lives were spared.
"The whole family is traumatised ... My daughter went under the bed (but) we are truly blessed to be alive," Jenny Manley said.
The Constabulary Communication Network confirmed the robbery.
