Byron McDaniel, Gleaner Writer

Walderston, Manchester:

Heightened caution has already started to creep into the actions of local police as a result of the about-face taken by the Jamaica Constabulary Force regarding the investigation into the death of Pakistan cricket coach Bob Woolmer.

Last week, a man in Brochery, Manchester, went on the run after allegedly attempting to kill his wife and burning their marital home to the ground.

On Saturday, June 9, Theophillous Stubbs attacked and chopped his 65-year-old wife, Tessie Stubbs, in the head before their house was set on fire.

During the incident, Mr. Stubbs' 81-year-old sister-in-law, Pearline Williams, was severely burnt and both women were admitted to hospital in critical condition.

However, when The Gleaner contacted the police on Monday, a representative of the Constabulary Communication Network said: "We still have on record that this was a fire of unknown origin."

He added: "You see the Bob Woolmer case? Yuh can't rush it."

Extra careful

Although acknowledging there were reports that, leading up to the night in question, Mr. Stubbs had threatened to burn down the house he and his wife shared, as well as that a tenant was present during the incident, the officer was adamant that the police had to be extra careful.

On Saturday, Samantha Josephs, a tenant of the Stubbs, was present when Mr. Stubbs suggested that she leave and then went upstairs with a machete.

Shortly after, she heard a crashing sound and cries of 'murder', followed by smoke coming from the house, and Mr. Stubbs running down the stairs and disappearing into the bushes behind the building.

Up to yesterday, Mr. Stubbs had still not been caught.