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Nine-hour terror of yacht widow seized by pirates
Andrew Drummond in Bangkok25.03.09
A BRITISH woman told today how she escaped from pirates who had killed her husband and held her prisoner on the couple's yacht for nine hours.
Linda Robertson, 57, said she heard her husband Malcolm, 64, challenge three Burmese men armed with machetes and hammers after they clambered aboard off Thailand.
It is believed they bludgeoned him, cut his throat and threw his body overboard before tying her up naked like a "trussed chicken". Every time they came to check on her, she thought they were going to kill her.
She remembers "walking in my husband's blood" on the deck. The men ransacked the boat before leaving on a dinghy but the engine stopped. As they tried to paddle back to the 44ft yacht Mr Bean, she pulled up the anchor, started the engine and escaped. Her husband's body has not been found. The couple, from St Leonards, East Sussex, had spent the last 10 years sailing round the world.
Both have children from previous relationships. All four of them - Darren, 37, Ben, 34, Tara, 39, and Dean, 34 - are now on their way to Thailand.
Mrs Robertson was today making an emotional return to the yacht to help the investigation. She refused to let their children accompany her, saying: "I need to do this alone." Her sister-in-law Patricia Clee said she had been totally traumatised but "is a bit stronger at the moment".
Reader views (6)
Most parts of south-east Asia are filled with pirates, looking out for cargo ships, yachts etc.
When I sailed on a vessel going from Singapore through the Indonesia straits, heading for Brazil, the floodlights were switched on in full and armed crew members manned the whole of the ship until we left Indonesia behind. You have to be extremely careful and cautious in those parts.
Generally, you have to be careful EVERYWHERE now.
- Cally, london
I have known Malcom and his family for a number of years and was sickened to hear of his death. Malcolm was a kind hearted man I he will be missed by all that had ever met him. My heart goes out to Linda and the rest of the family, Malc has left a hole that will not easily be filled.
- Tim Collins, Bexhill-On-Sea, England.
James Macleod Ritchie:
All very well saying a gun would have protected them but they would have long ago been jailed in one of the many countries they visited for having an illegal fire arm and smuggling it into port. I suspect arriving at a US port with a weapon would certainly get you arrested for a terrorism related offence.
- Peter Weeg, London
So, so awful. I don't know how this poor lady can get over this but I hope she does.
- Sarah Bradshaw, Enfield, Middx
This can only mean that yacht owners in certain areas will need to have security alarm systems on board and arm themselves. Had this man had a 9mm pistol these murderers would have been shark food. Time and again this has happened and will continue to happen unless these crimminals know they are going to face armed owners prepared to defend themselves. No use saying you must call the police in these circumstances is there?
- James Macleod Ritchie, Oyster Bay Cove
It is very difficult to find somewhere that is safe to have fun; neither on land or sea. The moon may be a better place for EDEN to be.
- Herbert Henry, Kingston, Jamaica
