Burglary gang who targeted elderly Broughton couple jailed at Mold Crown Court
A burglary gang who targeted elderly and vulnerable victims across Flintshire and Wrexham have been jailed at Mold Crown Court for a combined total of almost 10 years.
The gang’s first victims were an elderly couple in their late 80s from Broughton, who were followed home from the shops in January last year.
Four days later, the gang ransacked the couple’s home in front of them and stole almost £5,000 in cash.
Three men, all of HMP Berwyn, were sentenced to immediate custodial terms on Thursday 30 April.
Adam Purcell, 37, was jailed for three and a half years.
Michael McGuire, 51, was jailed for two years and 11 months.
Michael Berry, 26, was jailed for three years.
A fourth defendant, Anne Delaney, 36, of Moss Road, Wrexham, was sentenced to 23 months in custody, suspended for two years.
A suspended sentence means she will not go to prison unless she commits another offence within two years or breaches the conditions of the order.
All four had previously admitted conspiring to commit burglary with intent to steal.
Across a five-month period from January 2025, the gang burgled six homes in Flintshire, Wrexham and Shropshire, mainly targeting vulnerable and elderly residents.
They stole cash, jewellery and watches.
In one of their cover stories, the gang told elderly victims who caught them in the act that they were searching the houses to find a missing cat.
The North Wales Police investigation, Operation Venom, found the gang were using cloned registration plates, false plates copied from legitimate vehicles, and turned their phones off during the burglaries to avoid detection.
The Broughton couple were the first targets.
The gang’s second victim was an elderly woman in her late 80s from Penycae, Wrexham, who was followed home on a bus.
Three days later, her home was burgled as she dozed in front of the television.
Sentimental jewellery, watches and £300 in cash were taken.
On 13 February the gang broke through the back window of a property in Gobowen, Shropshire, taking cash, watches and jewellery.
The same evening they burgled a second property in Chirk, Wrexham, while the occupants were out, taking £3,500 in cash, watches and a car key.
In March, the victim of a fifth burglary in Rhosllanerchrugog, Wrexham, watched the masked gang break into his home through his CCTV camera while he was out shopping.
He alerted a neighbour, and the gang fled with more than £6,000 worth of jewellery and £100 in cash.
The car used in the burglary was later scrapped.
In early May the gang prepared for their final offence by parking a vehicle near a property in Malpas.
The following day they smashed their way in through the patio door, taking a watch and a set of keys.
They later attempted to alter the appearance of the vehicle to avoid detection.
Officers executed warrants at the suspects’ homes on 12 June 2025 and all four were arrested.
Superintendent Mark Williams, North Wales Police eastern area commander, said: “This ruthless organised crime gang targeted a number of innocent families, some who were extremely vulnerable, stealing cash and sentimental family jewellery for their own financial gain.
“I do not underestimate the devastating impact that intrusive crimes of this nature have on victims, leaving them with trauma which can be lasting.
“I commend the efforts of all those involved in this comprehensive, complex investigation in securing today’s result, and I hope each of the victims, and local communities, feel some comfort that this gang now face a total of almost 10 years behind bars.
“I hope today’s result sends a clear message that burglary will not be tolerated by North Wales Police, and we will continue to target offenders and stop them from preying on vulnerable members of our society.”
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