Sheffield Beach attack couple still in shock

The couple who were brutally beaten up and robbed during a burglary at their house in Loxley Estate, Sheffield Beach, KwaZulu-Natal, are still traumatised after the attack. The incident happened on New Year’s Eve.

Craig and Lauren Glutz and their nine-month-old baby had moved into the estate only a week before the incident. They woke to the sight of five men armed with pangas, knives and screwdivers surrounding their bed.

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Lauren’s mother, Catherine Rattray, said the couple were bound with cable ties before being beaten up.

“Loxley Estate is supposed to be a safe estate with 24-hour security. My daughter was hit six times with the flat side of a panga as she tried to crawl to her baby’s room. The beating caused severe bruising.

“My son-in-law had his wrist and finger sliced as he tried to fend off an attack with a knife. He spent several hours in surgery having the nerves and tendons reattached.”

Rattray said the couple was staying with her as they were too traumatised and could not return home. The robbers took everything.

“My daughter is a professional photographer and she had every bit of her equipment taken, including all her hard drives containing images of three weddings. She begged the men not to take the hard drives.

“Now the couples, whose wedding she photographed, will not have any photos. She is distraught about this.”

Rattray said her daughter’s neighbours told her they had been robbed the night before.

“They also said some holidaymakers had been held at knife point a few houses away.”

A reward is being offered for the return of the equipment. Anyone with information can contact David Rattray on 083-450-1877.

The Loxley Estate developers have declined to comment.

– Caxton News Service