Two men who burgled 42 homes, many of which belonged to pensioners, including a number across the local Bath area, have been jailed for a total of 12 years.
Michael McDonagh, 32, and Patrick Connors, 20, both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to burgle the properties between mid-September 2012 and late January 2013. Connors also pleaded guilty to money laundering. They were captured on camera burgling elderly and vulnerable people sitting in their homes before paying their money into a bank account.
They were caught after an investigation by Avon and Somerset’s Serious Crime Group who will also seek to return the money stolen to the victims.
McDonagh, was sentenced to seven years in prison and Connors five.
Seventeen offences were committed in the Avon and Somerset force area but there were also burglaries in Devon and Cornwall, Thames Valley, Warwickshire and Dorset.
The burglaries were committed in Bristol, Bath, Bruton, Glastonbury, Keynsham, Little Stoke, Winterbourne, Clevedon, Street, Gurney Slade and Shepton Mallet.
The pair also travelled up and down the country to Hereford, Grimsby, Cleethorpes, Shalbourne near Hungerford, Bodmin, Newquay, Polperro, Abbotsbury, Dorchester, Halford near Stratford-upon-Avon, Cumnor Hill near Oxford, Nailsworth and Tetbury.
Most of the victims were elderly and in most cases they were at home while the crimes took place. As well as cash, jewellery and electrical items were stolen.
During the period in which the burglaries took place around £56,000 in cash was paid into a bank account held by Patrick Connors. This account, still containing around £37,000 has been frozen by police.
Connors and McDonagh were involved in a police pursuit in January during which they attempted to dispose of items including a distinctive cap with ear flaps on which was found to contain McDonagh’s DNA and another cap bearing Connors’ DNA.
The car had been bought for cash and when it was eventually recovered it had false plates. ANPR and mobile phone evidence was also placed before the courts. When interviewed both suspects made no comment.
Officers are still seeking another man who is believed to have been involved in this conspiracy. Anyone who recognises him in the video is asked to contact the police on 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Detective Inspector Tina Robinson said: “Throughout this investigation we have worked closely with police forces across the country to bring these two men to justice. All burglaries can have a serious emotional impact but these crimes are all more shocking as the victims were some of society’s most vulnerable.
“I hope these sentences demonstrate how committed we are to tackling this sort of crime. I would urge members of the public to continue to support us by reporting anything suspicious and looking out for elderly or vulnerable neighbours.”
Superintendent Keith McCoubrey, Avon and Somerset’s lead on the fight against doorstep crime said: “In this case not all the victims let the offenders into their homes and thankfully cases like these remain low. Nevertheless we are not complacent because doorstep criminals target and con vulnerable people – the average victim is 81-years-old.
“This type of crime remains a priority for our force and we also work as part of a national initiative to tackle Doorstep Crime called Operation Liberal. This enables us to share information with police forces across the country as these criminals often move around.”
Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens said: “These criminals preyed on the most vulnerable members of our society carrying out despicable violent burglaries. Although incidents like this are thankfully rare it shows the importance of looking out for vulnerable family members and neighbours. It is important that we raise awareness and increasing vigilance within communities.”
