Man arrested after knife attack on Fletcher family

A man was arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of threatening at knifepoint the fiancee of Darren Fletcher, the Manchester United midfielder, and burgling the footballer’s house.

Hayley Grice was forced to take off her engagement ring while Fletcher’s mother was also forced to hand over watches and jewellery in a raid that took place on February 23, just hours after the player had flown out with the United squad for a Champions League match in Milan.

Fletcher’s young twins were also in the house in the upmarket village of Bowdown, south of Manchester.

A statement issued by Greater Manchester Police on Tuesday said: “A man has been arrested in connection with a robbery at a house in Bowdon, Trafford.

“Shortly before 9pm (2100GMT) on Monday, February 23 2009, police were called to a house following a report of an armed robbery.

“Officers attended and found that robbers had threatened two women. Two young children, twins aged two, were also in the house.

“An engagement ring, jewellery and watches were stolen.

“Today (Tuesday) a 28-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary and has been bailed until May 14 2009 pending further inquiries.”

The Scotland midfielder is the latest in a long line of Premier League players who have been burgled while away with their clubs, although police said the degree of intimidation involved in the latest attack was exceptional.

At least seven Liverpool players, including club captain Steven Gerrard, have had their homes broken into while they have been away with the club in recent years with thieves making off with expensive jewellery and watches, soccer memorabilia and medals, and, in some cases, sports cars.

And Fletcher is not the only Bowdon-based footballer whose property has come under attack. Robbers armed with a knife carried out a raid on the home of Blackburn Rovers striker Roque Santa Cruz while he was away for a match at Portsmouth in November.