Gang jailed after assaulting and robbing elderly with dementia

Three burglars, who robbed and assaulted elderly people with dementia over the Christmas period last year have been jailed, with police calling the crimes “heinous”.

The gang carried out their spate of burglaries in Iver, Chalfont St Peter, Slough and Windsor, punching people and threatening them with weapons, during 23 December 2016 and 7 January 2017.

Following an investigation by Thames Valley Police, Ruben Smith, aged 33, of no fixed abode, Westley Harcup, aged 39, of Monksfield Way, Slough, and Sarah Belcher, aged 40, of Brammas Close, Slough, pleaded guilty and were jailed at Reading Crown Court.

Smith pleaded guilty to two counts of burglary, two counts of fraud and one count of robbery, and was jailed for a total of nine and a half years. Harcup pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery, two counts of burglary and one count of fraud, and was sent to prison for a total of 12 years. Belcher pleaded guilty to one count of burglary and was jailed for two years.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Katy Lewis of Local CID, said: “The victims in these offences are all elderly and vulnerable, with some victims suffering from dementia. The victims were targeted by the defendants because of their vulnerability and also because many of the properties were in remote areas.

“All the victims have been in their homes during the offence with some committed in the middle of the night.”

She revealed that some were assaulted or threatened with weapons during the offences, with one person repeatedly punched in the face.

DC Lewis added: “The offenders stole bank cards, cash, jewellery and a vehicle during the crime series. I am pleased that Ruben Smith, Westley Harcup and Sarah Belcher have been sentenced to a significant period in jail for these heinous crimes on some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.”

Smith, Harcup and Belcher were all arrested on 7 January this year and charged the following day.