The convicted burglar who targeted footballer Raheem Sterling's home has been ordered to pay £250,000 or face two more years in prison.
Thomas Mee was convicted of targeting Sterling's home, among others, between 2018 and 2019, along with two other men, Vincent Ball and John Barlow.
The men stole approximately £500,000 worth of luxury goods, including priceless family heirlooms, from several houses across Cheshire, Nottinghamshire, Worcestershire, Buckinghamshire, and Warwickshire.
Advert
Items like jewellery, watches and handbags were also taken from the properties.
As well as Sterling's mansion in Cheshire, burglars also targeted the Buckinghamshire home of Jamiroquai star Jay Kay.
The burglars were finally busted in October 2019, when a resident in Prestbury called 999 to inform police that a family member had disturbed intruders at their home on Macclesfield Road.
Advert
Mee was caught and arrested by investigating officers while attempting to flee the scene of the burglary, and subsequently charged.
The convict pleaded guilty to conspiracy to burgle and handling stolen goods at Chester Crown Court in July 2020, and was sentenced to eight years in prison.
A new hearing held on 16 November 2022 has seen the Crown Court order Mee to pay an eye-watering £249,012.17 within the next three months, or else face a further two years behind bars.
Advert
To make the payment, Mee will have to sell his Liverpool home, as well as designer clothing and jewellery, compiled with whatever cash, and bank funds he has left.
A spokesperson from Cheshire Constabulary's SOCU 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.
Advert
“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."
Ali Condon