Members of a burglary gang which targeted the homes of the rich and famous have been jailed.
Liverpool men Thomas Mee, 42, John Barlow, 58, and Vincent Ball, 52 were behind a string of break-ins across the county, targeting homes including those of Manchester City star Raheem Sterling, Jamiroquai frontman Jay Kay and Bury FC owner Steve Dale.
Today Chester Crown court was told the "career criminals" used cloned number plates to try and stay one step ahead of the law as they travelled the country carrying out serious crimes.
A total of more than £550,000 of jewellery, watches and handbags was taken from 14 properties across Nottinghamshire, Worcestershire, Buckinghamshire and Warwickshire between November 2018 and October 2018.
The men dropped watches worth nearly £500,000 as they fled the Prestbury home of Mr Dale last October. They were then arrested, ending their crime spree.
Mee, of Queens Drive Liverpool, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to burgle and handling stolen goods. Ball, of Ranworth Place and Barlow, of no fixed address, both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to burgle.
Judge Steven Everett told the court Mee was at the top of the gang, organising the break-ins and then selling on the stolen goods. He pointed to the £125,000 in cash which police found at Mee's city centre apartment after his arrest last year.
Judge Everett said Mee was at the 'top of the tree' and played a key role in 'getting rid of the assets.'
He referred to how Mee offered a luxury scarf for sale after one of the break-ins and said that Mee was both a burglar and handler.
He said that in his view Mee's professed remorse was 'manufactured', and jailed him for eight years and seven months.
Judge Everett said John Barlow was the next most important person in the gang, and described the Liverpool man as a 'career criminal.'
He referred to a 16-year prison sentence that was handed to Barlow in 2002.
He jailed Barlow for seven years and six months.
Judge Everett said Ball was the third most significant person in the conspiracy.
He said that although Ball was directly linked to seven of the break-ins through his role as a driver, he could be connected to 12 of the offences.
He jailed Ball for six years and nine months.
Gareth Roberts, defending Ball, described his client as a 'likeable and personable' man who was a father to two daughters.
He said Ball had only recently become a grandfather.
John Weate, defending Barlow, pointed to the lack of confrontation with home owners and said that weapons were not used.
He said his client could be linked to around six of the offences and stolen items worth around £140,000.
On Friday Andrew Alty, defending Mee, said his client claimed the £125,000 found in his city centre apartment was 'legitimate.' Mr Alty said that the cash was now subject to an ongoing process through the courts.
Following today's sentencing police said the gang showed both forensic and digital sophistication.
A spokesperson from Cheshire Constabulary’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit said: “Ball, Barlow and Mee are all members of a sophisticated organised crime gang responsible for at least 14 burglaries across England.
“They showed an extreme level of forensic and digital awareness when committing the offences, demonstrating their determination to obtain hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of other people’s property and family heirlooms.
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“A significant level of planning and preparation went into each burglary, with the trio travelling hundreds of miles to commit the offences and specifically targeting the homes of high profile businessmen and women, footballers and celebrities.
“In these 14 incidents alone they caused damage and stole property to a total value of more than £600,000.
“The impact of their crime spree should not be underestimated. To know that criminals have been in your home – the place you should be able to feel most safe – rifled through your property and stole your personal possessions is sickening.
“While the majority of these incidents occurred when the victims were out, some burglaries took place while they were at home. To be subjected to such an ordeal must be absolutely terrifying and something that nobody should have to experience.
“I hope that these convictions provide some comfort and reassurance to the victims and allows them to move forward with their lives.
“I would also like to thank all of the officers involved in this case for the roles that they have played in securing the convictions against Ball, Barlow and Mee.
“As a result of their work, a major organised crime gang has been removed from our streets and the trio are now facing a significant period behind bars.
“I hope that this case acts as a warning to anyone who is planning on travelling to Cheshire to commit crimes. Our message to them is ‘don’t make a wasted journey’.”
If you have any information about this type of crime in Cheshire you can call Cheshire Constabulary on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
