night raider.

Mrs. Mary Pickles, 76, was grabbed by the throat and thrown on to a couch at Loughlands Guest House in Paget after answering the front door around 10.30 p.m. on Wednesday night.

Her male attacker ripped a gold necklace from Mrs. Pickles' neck before escaping on a motorcycle with another man.

Mrs. Pickles -- who suffered bruising to her neck and a cut below her eye -- admitted: "When somebody tries to strangle you, you are a bit shaken, but I'm all right otherwise.'' She added: "I don't know why they did it -- they didn't demand anything. I really don't understand it.'' Mrs. Pickles' attacker is described as a black male in his 30s, of stocky build and around five feet six inches or seven inches tall. He was wearing a red crash helmet.

A Police spokesman said yesterday: "This was a nasty and cowardly attack on an elderly lady.

"Anyone who saw anyone acting suspiciously in the South Road area around the time of the attack should get in touch with us immediately.'' Anyone with information which could help the Police probe should contact Hamilton CID on 295-0011 or Crime Stoppers on 1-800-623-8477.

APPEAL FOR INFORMATION CRM POL Appeal for information The Police are appealing to the public for information relating to Monday's two robberies which are not presently believed to be connected.

The first occurred at the Burrows and Lightbourne Liquor Store on Harbour Road, Paget, at 11.50 a.m..

A lone knife wielding man wearing a Halloween mask and a long black coat entered the store, threatened the clerk and fled with a sizable amount of cash.

He rode a rusty grey Yamaha motor cycle along Harbour Road to Darrell's Wharf where he ditched the cycle and some clothing.

The second robbery occurred at 8 p.m. when a man carrying a knife and a handgun entered the Riddell's Bay Esso Station on Middle Road, Warwick.

He demanded money from the sales assistant and fled with a small amount of cash on the back of a rented white Honda City Express driven by a male accomplice.

The two culprits were last seen heading south on Camp Hill Road.

One man is described as being dark brown-skinned, approximately five foot seven or five foot eight inches tall, of medium or muscular build in either his late 20's or early 30's.

The culprit was wearing a white crash helmet with a visor and sun glasses and dark clothing.

The second suspect was a black male wearing dark clothing and a white helmet.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Det. Sgt. Franz Williams at 299-4346 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-623-8477.

NOT GUILTY PLEA TO GBH CTS Not guilty plea to GBH The victim of a recent high-profile stabbing appeared this week in Magistrates' Court, and pleaded not guilty to charges of inflicting grievous bodily harm and depriving his ex-girlfriend of her liberty.

Roger Lightbourne of Devonshire Parish, is alleged to have committed the assault on Sunday, November 17.

Police Prosecutor Sergeant Donald Grant told Magistrate Cheryl-Ann Mapp the victim is presently in hospital with massive head injuries and multiple fractures to her face and head. Lightbourne was remanded in custody to his December 12 trial.

He now joins a group of four men accused of attempting to murder him, also awaiting trial at the Westgate Correctional facility. On October 30 Lightbourne suffered multiple stab wounds in an attack in the Mount Hill area.