A couple were driven to a cashpoint and forced to take out money by burglars who broke into their home early on Wednesday morning.

The man and woman, both aged 23, told detectives that three men ¿ one of whom was brandishing a bladed article ¿ entered their Hamilton Parish home at about 5.30 a.m.

The armed burglar demanded money before two of the suspects drove the victims to the ATM machine at the Crawl Hill Esso Service Station and stole cash withdrawn by the man.

Police said yesterday that the boyfriend and girlfriend ran into the service station for safe haven. The two men who had driven them to the gas station and the third man, who had remained at their Abbot's Cliff Drive home, escaped. Three men have since been arrested and detained. A Police spokesman said one of the burglars was known to the male victim.

"The victims were not injured," he said. "It appears a quantity of jewellery was also taken from the residence. Inquiries into this incident are under way." Witnesses or anyone with information should call the St. George's Criminal Investigation Unit on 293-2222.

A Devonshire man was wounded after three unknown men wielding bladed weapons broke into his Vesey Street home early yesterday morning and forced him from his bedroom into his living room where they punched and cut him.

The burglars searched the house, before stealing money and escaping on motorcycles toward the City of Hamilton. The 31-year-old victim was taken by ambulance to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital where he was treated for his injuries, including a cut left hand.

Detectives are urging anyone with information about the break-in - which happened just before 4 a.m. - to contact the Hamilton Criminal Investigation Unit on 295-0011.