A gang of criminals received a combined prison sentence of 45 years after being found guilty of a burglary in Cardiff’s St. Mellons district in June of last year.

Ras Thomas, aged 42, from Cardiff, orchestrated the series of burglaries. Thomas Hagans, 41, Simon Seeney, 42, and his then 17-year-old son Charlie Seeney travelled from Birmingham to Cardiff to steal a safe from a residence owned by a mechanic in St Mellons on June 14, 2023. 

Hagans and Charlie were responsible for breaking into the property and taking the safe, but it was empty.

Detectives identified the vehicles used in the burglary and tracked them travelling from Taunton on the same day, unaware the gang had committed an aggravated burglary. The group, including newcomer Craig Shaw, 34, had targeted a secluded rural property for its expensive jewellery. 

At the address, the group confronted a man in a portable cabin and demanded to enter the main house. The victims were assaulted, forced to lie face down on the floor and threatened to be killed if they got up. The gang used crowbars and machetes and demanded money and cannabis.

Eventually, they fled with £50,000 worth of jewellery. Both victims were traumatised and feared for their lives, with one victim left with a ruptured eardrum.

“What happened has affected my day-to-day life. Your home is a place where you’re meant to feel at peace… I sustained both mental and physical injuries,” one of the victims said.

“I have ringing due to a ruptured eardrum. I have become paranoid due to what happened. I find myself looking over my shoulder and anxious within an enclosed space.”

Judge Daniel Williams sentenced Thomas to 13 years imprisonment. Hagans was sentenced to 13 years imprisonment, Simon Seeney to 10 years and disqualified from driving for five-and-a-half years, while Shaw was sentenced to nine years.

Charlie Seeney is now 18 but was 17 at the time of his sentence, so he was sentenced to a 12-month youth referral at an earlier hearing at Birmingham Youth Court.

During the sentencing hearing at Newport Crown Court, it was revealed the gang disguised themselves with balaclavas, black clothing, and gloves. In addition, they had hired two vehicles with altered registration numbers along with a van to aid in the transportation of the stolen goods.

“This was a complex investigation in which South Wales Police, Avon and Somerset Constabulary and the Crown Prosecution Service worked to together to achieve the guilty pleas and convictions we have seen in Court,” South Wales Police Detective Constable Rhys Perrett said.

“The sentences handed down at Newport Crown Court reflect the serious nature of the crimes these men committed. These dangerous individuals are now in custody for a significant amount of time.”

Enhanced security in rural area

While strong security measures are crucial for any homeowner, high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) residing in sparsely populated rural areas have an even greater need for vigilance. The factors that attract homeowners, such as quietness and privacy, can also make them more vulnerable to targeted attacks.

Without the proximity of neighbours or a strong police presence, a robust security system becomes essential to deter criminals and protect valuable assets. 

Security firms like Marengo offer extensive home security reviews. This service includes evaluating the property’s physical layout, existing security systems, and resident protocols. Then, they analyse the risks posed by the location and the homeowner’s situation. These steps ensure Marengo can recommend and install the most suitable security infrastructure for each property.