Cayman Net News Reporter Stabbed

Thursday, March 18, 2004

A Cayman Net News journalist and her partner were both stabbing victims as a result of a home invasion burglary in their North Church street cottage while they slept early Tuesday morning. 

Jackie Mahon, an Irish-Canadian who has worked with Cayman Net News for five months, and her partner Ryan Breetzke from South Africa, were treated and released from George Town Hospital on Tuesday after the attack, which took place at approximately 3:10 am at the Reef Cottages just south of the Tree House Beach Bar on North Church Street.

Mr Breetzke, who has resided in Cayman for four years, awoke to find an intruder crouching in their one-room cottage, and he bolted out of bed and started yelling at the man to get out. In an ensuing scuffle, Mr Breezke was stabbed twice in the upper arm with what was described as a large kitchen knife. Ms Mahon was stabbed in the upper back.
The assailant is described as being between 5-ft 7-in and 5-ft 10-in and having a very dark complexion.

Ms Mahon was left shaken by the incident. "This was our bedroom," she said, "We woke up to find a man crouched within feet of our bed. There is nothing more terrifying and violating than that. I've only been in Cayman for a short time, and this has left a very bad taste in my mouth."

The victims said the perpetrator made off with $200 and a bag that contained a pair of high-heeled shoes, and a walkman. "The first thing the guy had to see when he came in was us sleeping in bed," said Mr Breetske, "He was either very desperate, very stupid or he just didn't care."

This was the second time the couple's cottage was burgled. A little over a month ago, while the two were on holiday, the apartment was broken into and two mobile telephones and several hundred dollars were stolen.

The Royal Cayman Islands Police (RCIP) responded to the scene and searched the area afterwards, but did not apprehend anyone. They are now appealing to persons with information or who saw any suspicious activity at the time and location of the incident to call Crime Stoppers 800-TIPS (8477) or the George Town CID at 945-1040.

In a press release issued on Tuesday afternoon, the Acting Commissioner of Police, Rudi Dixon stated, "An intrusion by a trespasser into another's premises can be a devastating experience with emotional and financial implications. Burglary is a crime that is not uncommon in these Islands or elsewhere, but it is unusual in the Cayman Islands to have the occupants of the dwelling injured during the crime. Whilst all burglaries are taken seriously the police are particularly keen on solving this type of crime and will utilise all the necessary resources to catch the offender(s)."

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