Burglars targeted the elderly and vulnerable

Patrick Connors (Image: supplied)

Michael McDonagh and Patrick Connors raided a total of 42 properties, including one in Clevedon, at times when many of the residents were at home, stealing items including cash, jewellery and electrical goods.

Michael McDonagh (Image: supplied)

Yesterday (Mon), they appeared at Bristol Crown Court where they both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to burgle between September 2012 and January. Connors also admitted money laundering.

McDonagh, aged 32, was sentenced to seven years in prison and Connors, aged 20, received five years.

The men were caught after an investigation by Avon and Somerset police’s Serious Crime Group, which will now seek to return the money stolen from the victims.

Seventeen of their offences were committed in the Avon and Somerset force area including in Clevedon. The pair also travelled up and down the country carrying out burglaries across numerous cities and counties.

Most of their victims were elderly and in most cases were at home while their possessions were raided.

Two of their raids were caught on cameras which had been installed in the victims’ homes by family members.

During the time in which the burglaries were committed, £56,000 in cash was paid into a bank account held by Connors. This account, still containing £37,000, has since been frozen by police.

They were caught in January following a police pursuit in which they tried to dispose of items including caps containing their DNA.

Officers are still seeking another man believed to have been involved in their crimes.

Detective Inspector Tina Robinson said: “All burglaries can have a serious emotional impact but these crimes are all the more shocking as the victims were some of society’s most vulnerable.”

* The CCTV footage on this story shows a third man police believe to have been invovled in the crime spree. Anyone who recognises him is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.