The gang seemed to be fully aware of the surveillance cameras (Image: undefined)
In a peculiar incident, a group trespassed into an aristocrat’s £3.5 million estate in broad daylight, merely to take photographs and lounge on his furniture. The intrusion occurred at the Grade II* listed Maunsel House in Bridgwater, Somerset, between 2pm and 4pm on Sunday (August 24).
This happened shortly after the 13-bedroom property, believed to be from the late 14th century and thought to be where Geoffrey Chaucer penned The Canterbury Tales, was put up for sale. CCTV footage showed the group – four men and one woman – as they meandered around a large reception room and snapped pictures of the interior.
None were wearing masks or attempting to hide their identities – one even took a moment to recline on a red velvet sofa. Sir Benjamin Slade, 79, the owner of the historic estate, expressed feeling “violated” upon viewing the footage and was left “gutted” by the incident.
Despite causing a few hundred pounds worth of damage, Sir Benjamin stated that they had not stolen anything of significant value, despite having the opportunity. He said: “They left their fingerprints everywhere and there were a few breakages – but they only ran off with a few small items.
“They were trinkets, really. For instance, they ran off with a key to the back door.
“It was as if they were collecting souvenirs.
The home is thought to be where Geoffrey Chaucer penned The Canterbury Tales (Image: SWNS)
“But to see this footage of them abusing all of your things. I feel violated.
“I’ve already got a lot going on at the moment – I haven’t been well. So I have been left completely gutted.”
The CCTV footage also showed two of the culprits using a ladder to gain access to the property, making no effort to hide their faces.
In fact, the gang seemed to be fully aware of the surveillance cameras, with one clip showing a man dislodging one.
Sir Benjamin noted that several cameras were damaged during the incident.
Just a day after the initial break-in, around 9pm on Monday (August 25), another man attempted to force his way into the mansion but was frightened off by someone inside the property at the time.
Police are appealing for information (Image: SWNS)
Sir Benjamin stated it’s uncertain whether this individual was part of the same group of criminals.
However, he expressed concern that a similar incident might occur again and is therefore releasing the footage in an attempt to deter the group.
Sir Benjamin said: “The police are looking for these people and we have very clear footage of them rampaging around.
“I imagine they’re going around the country doing this. The menaces..
“But hopefully by sharing this we can ward them off and stop them doing it again to someone else.”
Avon and Somerset Police stated: “We received a report of a burglary at a property near North Newton at around 8pm on Sunday 24 August.
“The caller reported seeing five people, one woman and four men, enter the property on CCTV between 2.30pm and 3.30pm on the same day.
“It was also reported that two CCTV cameras, China, and picture frames inside the property were damaged, and a key and various other items were also taken.
“The people seen on CCTV have been described as; a white woman, between the ages of 35 and 40, of large build, with blonde hair in a ponytail, around 5ft 9in, who is wearing a grey T-shirt with the word ‘Fearless’ and black trousers.
“The second person is described as a white male, between the ages of 35 and 40, with receding brown hair, around 5ft 10in of athletic build, who was wearing a white T-shirt and a rucksack.
Sir Benjamin noted that several cameras were damaged (Image: SWNS)
“The third person is described a white male, between the ages of 30 and 35, of large build, with brown hair in a buzz cut style, around 5ft 10in, who was wearing a blue T-shirt and blue jeans.
“The fourth person is described as a white male, between the ages of 25 and 30, of slim build, with ginger hair, around 6ft tall, who was wearing glasses, a grey T-shirt, black trousers and black shoes.
“The fifth person is described as a white male, around 35 years old, of athletic build, around 5ft 10in, with a brown goatee who was wearing a dark T-shirt, white cargo trousers and a black hat.
“We have carried out CCTV enquiries, have taken fingerprints from the scene and have given residents crime prevention advice on what has been a distressing incident.
“We are now appealing to members of the public to come forward if they saw or heard anything suspicion in the area at the time of the incident, or who saw a group of people in the area matching the descriptions above, to contact us on 101 quoting reference number 5225239355, or complete our online appeals form.”
