Burglars targeted footballer Sterling and singer Jay Kay

A GANG of burglars who targeted celebrities, including Raheem Sterling, the Manchester City footballer, in a “sophisticated” string of raids has been jailed.

Thomas Mee, 42, Vincent Ball, 52, and John Barlow, 58, all from Liverpool, were sentenced at Chester Crown Court yesterday after admitting conspiracy to burgle, a spokesman for Cheshire Constabulary said.

Jamiroquai singer Jay Kay’s house in Buckinghamshire was among those targeted by the gang, as well as the homes of Steve Dale, the Bury FC chairman, and John Radford, the Mansfield Town FC owner.

Mee, of HMP Altcourse, who also admitted handling stolen goods, was jailed for eight years and seven months.

Getaway driver Ball, of Ranworth Place, Liverpool, was sentenced to six years and nine months while Barlow, of no fixed address, was jailed for seven years and six months.

Cheshire’s serious and organised crime unit described the trio as “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,” a spokesman said.

“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 highprofile 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 court heard that the defendants attempted to burgle Sterling’s home in Goostrey, Cheshire, on Nov 4 2018, but the alarm system was activated and they left empty-handed. Ten days later the three men checked into a hotel in Buckinghamshire and later Kay’s home, Horsenden Manor, was targeted.

Jewellery, watches and handbags were taken from 14 properties across Nottinghamshire, Worcestershire, Buckinghamshire and Warwickshire between November 2018 and October 2019, the court heard. Photos of some of the bags were found on Mee’s phone.

On Oct 5 2019 they were disturbed while in the Prestbury home of Mr Dale. Watches worth between £300,000 and £500,000 were dropped as Mr Dale’s son pursued them on foot, and they left with only a £10 note.