Burglar was jailed for eight years after targeting Raheem Sterling has his own home taken away

A convicted burglar who targeted Raheem Sterling’s home between 2018 and 2019 has had his home taken away from him.

Thomas Mee was jailed for more than eight years at Chester Crown Court on July 31, 2020, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to burgle and handling stolen goods. 

Mee, formerly of Queens Drive, along with Vincent Ball and John Barlow, all from Liverpool, targeted at least 14 homes of high-profile businessmen and women, footballers and celebrities between January 2018 and October 2019.

The men also targeted England footballer, Raheem Sterling’s £3million mansion in Goostrey, Cheshire, in November 2018.

Thomas Mee, who was jailed for more than eight years at Chester Crown Court on July 31, will have his home taken away from him in equity 

In total, they stole over £500,000 of luxury goods, with their hauls including treasured family heirlooms which left homeowners heartbroken.  

Jewellery, watches and handbags were also taken from the properties – photos of some of the handbags were found on Mee’s phone.

Mee’s downfall came on October 5, 2019, when police received a 999 call from a resident in Prestbury reporting that a family member had disturbed intruders at their Macclesfield Road home. 

In total, the trio, which included Vincent Ball (left) and John Barlow (right), stole over £500,000 of luxury goods, leaving homeowners heartbroken

He was arrested while attempting to flee the property and subsequently charged him with the burglaries.

At a hearing on November 16, the court ordered Mee to pay £249,012.17 within the next three months – or face a further two years imprisonment. 

 Jewellery, watches and handbags were taken from 14 properties across Nottinghamshire, Worcestershire, Buckinghamshire and Warwickshire

This sum was determined from equity in Mee’s home in Liverpool, which will need to be sold, along with cash, jewellery, designer clothing and funds from bank accounts.

Another spokesperson said: ‘This is the perfect example of how crime does not pay and shows the lengths we will go to in order to target those who have profited from crime.

‘Not only was Mee handed a lengthy prison sentence, but he also now must pay back every penny he made from his illegal exploits.

The organised crime gang picked out the homes of high-profile businessmen and women, footballers and celebrities, including England football star, Raheem Sterling 

The £3 million Cheshire mansion was targeted in November, 2018

‘POCA orders allow us to recoup all of criminal’s benefit from crime – by not only ensuring that criminals are locked behind bars, we are able to also ensure that they cannot enjoy any money received once a sentence is served.

‘This money will now be repaid to the victims and will not be ploughed back into criminality. We will do all we can to ensure that criminals operating in Cheshire are unable to profit from their crimes and will work with our partners and the Crown Prosecution Service to use all available powers at our disposal’.