Cider baron said police were ‘brain dead’ after raid

A FORMER MP and family member behind the Bulmer’s cider business yesterday told a court that the police officers who first investigated a raid on his home were “brain-dead”.

Esmond Bulmer, 83, and his wife Susie were only reunited with some of their stolen artwork and antiques when an investigator outside of the police force became involved many years after the burglary in March 2009.

At the time of the raid, the couple were on holiday and had employed Deborah Barnjum to live at their home in Bruton, Somerset, and look after their Bernese Mountain Dog called Echo. Men in balaclavas approached Ms Barnjum as she let Echo out at night and carried her into the house before hooding her and tying her to a banister.

They drove off with 15 paintings and a 26-stone safe containing £400,000 worth of jewellery. Mr Bulmer told Bristol Crown Court that he had described officers who worked on the case as “brain-dead, incompetent, of a low calibre and deplorable”.

Eleven men are on trial accused of charges in connection to the burglary and insurance fraud relating to the case. The trial continues.