Northern Ireland

Thieves steal woman's engagement ring at knifepoint

A woman's engagement ring that has been stolen after she was robbed at knifepoint yesterday evening in the Stewartstown Road area of west Belfast 
A woman's engagement ring that has been stolen after she was robbed at knifepoint yesterday evening in the Stewartstown Road area of west Belfast  A woman's engagement ring that has been stolen after she was robbed at knifepoint yesterday evening in the Stewartstown Road area of west Belfast 

Thieves stole a woman's engagement ring during a robbery at knifepoint in west Belfast last night.

The woman, who is in her twenties, was walking along a path in Woodside Forest off Stewartstown Road at around 9.40pm when she was approached by a man and a woman in their thirties.

The woman distracted the victim, while the man pulled out a small pen knife and demanded money. 

The man ripped the victim's pockets and stole her money. The woman ripped off the victim’s watch and engagement ring.

Both thieves were wearing surgical masks.

The man was around 5' 6'' and was wearing a dark coat with the hood up, and dark bottoms.

The woman was also around 5' 6'' in height and was wearing a dark coat with the hood up.

The knifepoint robbery happened as the victim was coming from the Bell Steel Road, heading for Woodside Estate.

A police spokesman said the robbery "was a despicable act and a terrifying ordeal, which has left the victim clearly distressed.

“The engagement ring is, understandably, of immense sentimental value.

"This is a white gold ring, with a large square diamond in the middle, surrounded by smaller diamonds. 

"There is a small blue/green stone among the smaller diamonds."

Police appealed to anyone with information, or who is aware of the ring being offered for sale, to contact them on 101.