A brazen gang broke into an aristocrat’s £3.5million country estate in broad daylight – just to take photos and sit on his furniture.
CCTV captured the trespassers – made up of four men and one woman – as they wandered around the 13-bedroom mansion and took snaps of the interior.
None bothered to wear a mask or tried to conceal their identity – with one even taking a moment to relax on a plush red velvet sofa in the large reception room.
Police said the break-in at the Grade II*-listed Maunsel House in Bridgwater, Somerset, happened between 2.30pm and 3.30pm on Sunday, August 24.
It came shortly after the 14th-century property, which is believed to be where Geoffrey Chaucer wrote The Canterbury Tales, was listed for sale for the first time in centuries.
Sir Benjamin Slade, 79, whose family has owned the historic estate for generations, said he felt ‘violated’ when he saw the CCTV footage.
But while the group had caused a ‘couple hundred pounds worth of damage’, Sir Benjamin said they had stolen nothing of value – despite having the opportunity to do so.
He said: ‘They left their fingerprints everywhere and there were a few breakages – but they only ran off with a few small items.
One of the thieves can be seen smiling into a camera after they broke into a £3.5million country estate in broad daylight
A member of the group took a moment to relax on a plush red velvet sofa in the large reception room
The CCTV also captured two of the men using a ladder to enter the property – again with no attempt to conceal their identity
‘They were trinkets, really. For instance, they ran off with a key to the back door.
‘It was as if they were collecting souvenirs. But to see this footage of them abusing all of your things. I feel violated.
‘I’ve already got a lot going on at the moment – I haven’t been well. So I have been left completely gutted.’
The CCTV also captured two of the men using a ladder to enter the property – again with no attempt to conceal their identity.
In fact, the group appeared to be aware there were cameras – with one clip showing a man dislodging one.
Sir Benjamin, who has owned Maunsel House since his father died in 1962, said that some of the cameras around his property were broken during the burglary.
Moreover, the day after the first break-in – at around 9pm on Monday, August 25 – Sir Benjamin reported that a man tried to force entry into the mansion again
But he said he was ‘scared off’ by someone who had been inside the property at the time. It is unclear if he was part of the same group of offenders.
Three members of the group can be seen walking around outside the country estate
Sir Benjamin Slade is pictured with his two dogs outside Maunsel House in Bridgwater, Somerset
Police said the break-in at the Grade II-listed Maunsel House in Bridgwater, Somerset, happened between 2.30pm and 3.30pm on Sunday, August 24
One of the group is seen with a camera around their neck
Sir Benjamin has been left concerned that something similar will happen again – and has shared the CCTV footage in the hopes of ‘warding off’ the group.
He said: ‘The police are looking for these people and we have very clear footage of them rampaging around.
‘I imagine they’re going around the country doing this.
‘But hopefully by sharing this we can ward them off and stop them doing it again to someone else.’
Avon and Somerset Police said: ‘We received a report of a burglary at a property near North Newton at around 8pm on Sunday 24 August.
‘The caller reported seeing five people, one woman and four men, enter the property on CCTV between 2.30pm and 3.30pm on the same day.
‘It was also reported that two CCTV cameras, China, and picture frames inside the property were damaged, and a key and various other items were also taken.
‘The people seen on CCTV have been described as; a white woman, between the ages of 35 and 40, of large build, with blonde hair in a ponytail, around 5ft 9in, who is wearing a grey T-shirt with the word ‘Fearless’ and black trousers.
‘The second person is described as a white male, between the ages of 35 and 40, with receding brown hair, around 5ft 10in of athletic build, who was wearing a white T-shirt and a rucksack.
‘The third person is described a white male, between the ages of 30 and 35, of large build, with brown hair in a buzz cut style, around 5ft 10in, who was wearing a blue T-shirt and blue jeans.
Pictured: Maunsel House which has gone on the market for the first time in centuries
Maunsel House, which is believed to date from the 14th century, is the ancestral home of the Slade family. Pictured: Sir Benjamin
Sir Benjamin said that some of the cameras around his property were broken during the burglary. Pictured: The group inside the reception room
Maunsel House is believed to be the place where Geoffrey Chaucer wrote The Canterbury Tales. Pictured: The dining room
Avon and Somerset Police has appealed for information on the burglary
‘The fourth person is described as a white male, between the ages of 25 and 30, of slim build, with ginger hair, around 6ft tall, who was wearing glasses, a grey T-shirt, black trousers and black shoes.
‘The fifth person is described as a white male, around 35 years old, of athletic build, around 5ft 10in, with a brown goatee who was wearing a dark T-shirt, white cargo trousers and a black hat.
‘We have carried out CCTV enquiries, have taken fingerprints from the scene and have given residents crime prevention advice on what has been a distressing incident.
‘We are now appealing to members of the public to come forward if they saw or heard anything suspicion in the area at the time of the incident, or who saw a group of people in the area matching the descriptions above, to contact us on 101 quoting reference number 5225239355, or complete our online appeals form.’
Sir Benjamin’s country estate, which was placed in receivership in June last year, includes the main house, two cottages and over 11 acres of parkland.
It is understood it has been put on the market to cover Sir Benjamin’s debts who made his fortune as a shipping magnate.
He also hit the headlines in 2018 when he publicised his search for a wife who can provide him with two sons.
Sir Benjamin’s list of requirements for the perfect ‘breeder’ stated she should be `taller than 5ft6in, preferably 6ft1in or 6ft2in’, aged between 30 and 40, possess a gun licence and be ‘castle trained’.
Oliver Custance Baker, from the estate agency Strutt & Parker, which has put the estate on the market, said: ‘The house has been restored to its former glory, and while it still reflects the property Sir Benjamin’s family purchased in the 1770s, it has been successfully adapted for modern living.
‘Successful ventures include hosting weddings, film and photo shoots, and establishing a holiday-let business.’
