VICTIMS of a jailed burglary gang have described their heartbreak after their home was ransacked and precious possessions taken.

On Friday, Joshua Roberts, aged 27 and of no fixed abode, appeared at Caernarfon Crown Court on Friday alongside 21-year-old Connor Birchall-Roberts, of no fixed abode, and 21-year-old Ewan Mackenzie, of Heol Islwyn in Coedpoeth.

The three were jailed for conspiracy to commit burglary after the court heard 28 homes in Wrexham, Mold and Chester were targeted over the course of a month at the beginning of 2020.

In many cases the occupants were not in, or away on holiday.

Items taken ranged from cars and electronics to jewellery, cash, bags, cosmetics, perfume and even military and police medals.

A Mold husband and wife, whose home was burgled as part of what Judge Nicola Jones labelled a “campaign of burglary” which caused “untold misery” have told the Leader how the offence affected them.

The couple, who do not wish to be identified, said they were just starting a special holiday in South Africa to mark a special milestone when they found out what had happened.

“It was for my 60th birthday,” said the man.

“The day we were told about it, we were actually on safari.

“My daughter rang us up and told us they’d made such a mess of the house and they’d been though all of our documents, so we weren’t sure if they had access to our bank accounts.

“We got hold of our banks and closed everything down, which made things difficult because we ran out of money while we were in Cape Town.

“It spoiled what was going to be an amazing holiday.

“And it was traumatic because we didn’t know what had been taken or damaged, because our daughter doesn’t live there anymore so she didn’t know.”

When they got home, they discovered a high value Pandora bracelet with charms had been taken, along with a handbag, jewellery including an engagement ring of huge sentimental importance and a watch.

But their car was also gone.

The man said: “The car was my wife’s pride and joy, and it was gone.”

The woman said: “I felt sick. I just couldn’t take it in.

“The most upsetting part was that my 79-year-old mother was the one who found out about the break in.

“A neighbour had to help her deal with it while my daughter came to make the call to the police.

“I had to take a week off work because I just couldn’t face it.

“My employer was very good and gave me time off.

“Now whenever we hear a sound at night we’re up, looking out in case it’s someone outside.”

The court heard how the burglaries impacted victims across the three areas, leaving many feeling unsafe in their own homes and having to implement extra security measures.

The Mold man said: “My wife suffers with anxiety anyway - it’s tenfold now.

“The idea of someone being in our home, going through our things - you can’t put it into words.

“It changes you and I don’t think the people who do this realise that.

“Before this, we’d naively go to the local shop sometimes and not lock the back door.

“Now of course, it takes ten minutes to enter or leave because of all the alarms and locks.”

He said the sentencing of those responsible had helped, but he and his wife remain deeply affected by the incident.

“It’s difficult to explain just how upsetting it is,” he said.

“It changes your perception of the society you live in.

“Of course you hear of this sort of thing happening, but you never think it’s going to happen to you.”

Speaking of his advice for other residents, he urged them to take security precautions to deter burglars, adding: “Don’t take chances - do everything you can afford to.”

Also appearing at the court on Friday were 48-year-old Steven Davies, of Bradley Road in Wrexham, and 19-year-old Tyler Gemma Fenlon of Park Road in Coedpoeth - both of whom had admitted handling stolen goods.

The both received community orders.