Cheltenham burglars caught red-handed on CCTV
CCTV cameras caught these burglars red-handed as they raided the home of an elderly man on the day he buried his twin brother.
Cyril Langstone was alone in his Charlton Kings home when three thieves broke in while he was asleep.
He awoke to find precious items worth £4,000 had been stolen, his home turned upside down and £1,600 he had saved for his twin brother Victor's funeral missing.
The 84-year-old was left so traumatised by the burglary, which happened on June 21, he thought about taking an overdose.
Fighting back tears last night, Mr Langstone said he had to go to his twin brother's funeral on the day he discovered he had been targeted.
"These people don't have any remorse," he said. "I am so angry about it.
"I have worked hard all my life to get what I have. Then they take out the window of my dining room and take everything.
"They had tipped all my drawers upside down.
He added: "They knew I was asleep because they stole some watches and belt buckles I had collected in the hall right outside my bedroom.
"They also stole Victor's ring, which had diamonds in it."
Prolific burglar Justin Leach was one of the thieves who pleaded guilty after being caught on camera and has been warned to expect a long spell behind bars.
Leach, 34, of Village Road, was joined at Gloucester Crown Court by accomplices Thomas Warburton, 20, of Trinity Lane, and Ben McConnon, 18, of Colne Avenue.
They admitted stealing £1,600 and other valuables worth £4,000, including two watches, after being caught on cameras installed by Gloucestershire police.
Officers said they put in the cameras after becoming concerned that Mr Langstone might fall victim to burglars.
Defending Leach, Helen Smith said he had already written a letter of apology to the pensioner. "He feels very remorseful," she said.
All three have been remanded in custody until August 3.
Judge William Hart told them: "It is almost inevitable you will each receive substantial prison sentences."
Inspector Alistair Barby, who is leading the police crackdown on burglary in Cheltenham, said Warburton and McConnon had both run from the police when they attempted to make an arrest. Leach eventually handed himself in on June 25 after police stepped up the hunt for him.
Insp Barby said: "This successful investigation is a result of some excellent team work. The message is we will do whatever we can to ensure offenders of this sort are brought to justice."
Mr Langstone has been left so shaken by the night time raid that police officers were paying him regular visits to calm his nerves. He said: "I have been so upset about my brother dying – it has all got too much."
Victor died of a brain tumour.
OPINION, P8
15 Comments
View all
by Kay_Powell
Sunday, July 17 2011, 3:51PM
“I couldn't have put it better myself, emell.
It's odd that one person - jack1313 - is somehow on the side of the criminals, simply because they didn't actually kill anyone. If no-one died, then it can't have been proper crime. Eh?”
by meesh4
Friday, July 15 2011, 9:26PM
“what a bunch of t0ssers!! Are we supposed to feel sorry for the remorseful one that wrote to apologise?? I bet the cctv didnt capture that remorseful bone!! No cos he doesnt have one! That poor poor man. I too was affected by this story gloucester 13 and i cant begin to imagine how this has affected him. I hope he is able to put his life back on track after such a major violation. Good luck cyril”
by summerback
Friday, July 15 2011, 6:54PM
“Yes JohnSmith11 i was rather takenback by Jack1313s comments
and Im really pleased the Police found the criminals
Fancy robbing a vunerable man”
by JohnSmith11
Friday, July 15 2011, 6:11PM
“Jack it almost sounds like you are defending the s*** bags????
Well done Glos Police on putting the time in to get these excuses for human beings locked up.”
by summerback
Friday, July 15 2011, 6:04PM
“I feel sorry for Mr Langstone, a CCTV camera is a brilliant idea but why didnt the police inform him of a Neighbourhood watch scheme which would have helped him to take further measures, such as a burglar alarm £100 from B and Q or get a firm to install one, and alarms for the windows.
We have social housing in my residential street and two of GCH tenants commit burglaries and one even watched until a neghbour went out then burgled her house, we have all got burglar alarms now some people have no conception on how stressful and heartbreaking it is to have your house broken into its scary for months afterwards they just want what isnt theirs they should be made to suffer writing a letter doesnt prove hes sorry if he had any morals or conscience he wouldnt have done it in the first place get better soon Mr Langstone and please get a Burglar Alarm fitted ASAP”
by Douglasknows
Friday, July 15 2011, 2:12PM
“Build more prisons and increase all sentences for all crimes. Also no let up for good behaviour, just increase the sentence for bad behaviour and remove all privileges. Make prisoners pay for their 'stay' by working it off and once released make them wear a control band for a minimum of 12 months!”
by DEvans
Friday, July 15 2011, 12:45PM
“MP Martin Horwood said: My own family has been caught up in (Crime) although I am happy to say on that case someone has already been arrested and the stolen goods recovered. However, I know the outcome isn't as happy for everybody.
Then DO SOMETHING about it MR Horwood, WE WILL NOW PAY upto £45,000 PER YEAR TO KEEP PEOPLE LOCKED UP AND THE VICTIM GETS NOTHING - NOTHIGN NOTHING NOTHING.
Great that your family had their stuff returned but the majority do not and have to fund and pick up the pieces - its about time all criminals were forced to repay everything. We force our students, who do nothing wrong, to repay all of ther education but if you go steal some thing that is not yours - you dont have to pay back or make any ammends to the victim Whatsoever.
If Cyril is lucky - he will get a letter in 6 months from victim support wanting to send some one round so he can make them a cup of tea.
I feel ashamed to be british when the law cannot actively support the victims or even make community punishment work due to red tape.”
by jack1313
Friday, July 15 2011, 12:34PM
“There are pictures that show the faces of thomas & leech...so where r there ?why just put ben mcconnon up? I know ben & thomas,nd i also know that the police put all their time into catching them, than they would a killer!!”
by gloucester13
Friday, July 15 2011, 9:23AM
“This story is one of the saddest i have read for a very long time! To do this to an elderly man AND on the day he is to bury his twin brother is just too too much. This story has actually really affected me . Please Judge Hart lock them away for as long as you possibly can, i don't think these people are capable of feeling remorse. I feel sick.”
by gullster1
Friday, July 15 2011, 9:08AM
“I'll watch with baited breath, to see if justice is done, but don't hold up much hope, unlike his name, it seems nothing sticks to leach & his croonies.”