A convicted burglar who targeted Raheem Sterling‘s Cheshire mansion along with several other properties has had his own home taken off him.
Thomas Mee had already been jailed for more than eight years, but after a hearing 16 November, Cheshire Police has now confirmed a judge ruled that he had benefitted from his crimes to the sum of £586,117.36 – and as a result, had now had his home taken from him under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA).
The 45-year-old was part of a gang who stole more than £600,000 after committing at least 14 burglaries at addresses in Cheshire, Nottinghamshire, Worcestershire, Buckinghamshire, and Warwickshire between November 2018 and October 2019.
The group specifically-targeted homes in affluent rural locations.
They were said to have stolen high-value watches, designer handbags, and jewellery that came to be worth more than half-a-million pounds.
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Thomas Mee was part of a gang who stole more than £600,000 after committing at least 14 burglaries / Credit: Cheshire Police
Cheshire Police’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit began an investigation into the gang, and then began piecing together evidence that linked the trio to burglaries across Goostrey, Neston, Allostock, Mere, Chelford, and Lymm.
Mee’s downfall eventually came on 5 October 2019 when police received a 999 call from a resident in Prestbury reporting that a family member had disturbed intruders at their home.
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He was arrested while attempting to flee the property, and was subsequently charged with the burglaries, all before he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to burgle and three counts of handling stolen goods.
Footballer Raheem Sterling’s mansion in Cheshire was one of the homes targeted / Credit: Raheem Sterling (via Instagram)
Mee was sentenced to eight years and seven months imprisonment at Chester Crown Court on Friday 31 July 2020.
Police explained that the sum of £586,117.36 Mee had “benefitted” from has been determined from equity in his home in Liverpool – which will need to be sold – along with cash, jewellery, designer clothing, and funds recovered from bank accounts.
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The court has also ordered Mee to pay £249,012.17 within the next three months, or face a further two years imprisonment.
Featured Image – Cheshire Police
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Major incident declared in response to Greater Manchester wildfires ‘stood down’
Emily Sergeant
The major incident that was declared in response to several wildfires across Greater Manchester has now officially been ‘stood down’.
Nearly a month on from the first blaze breaking out near the popular beauty spot of Dovestone Reservoir in Oldham on 11 July, which then unfortunately went on to merge with a fire at Tintwistle and Swineshaw, prompting a major multi-agency response, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) can now see the light at the end of the tunnel.
The fire service says it has made the decision to ‘stand down’ the major incident that was declared in response to the fires.
It comes after firefighters worked hard in challenging conditions to contain the fire and prevent further spread across the moorland.
Greater Manchester moorland fires are still burning after more than two weeks / Credit: GMFRS
Specialist wildfire resources, command support units, drone technology, and partner agencies were also deployed over the past month as operations continued across multiple sectors.
While the major incident has been stood down, however, GMFRS says it wants to be clear that the fire is ‘not over’ yet.
Issuing a formal statement on the current situation as it stands, GMFRS said: “Reflecting the significant progress that has been made over recent weeks, the fire is now largely contained and the risk of further significant spread reduced substantially.
“This milestone has only been possible because of the outstanding efforts of firefighters, landowners, and partner agencies and organisations, who have shown incredible professionalism, commitment and resilience throughout a challenging and prolonged incident.
“Whilst standing down the major incident is an important step forward, the incident is not over.
“Fire is still present beneath the surface so firefighters will remain at the scene to monitor and contain any fire spread, while working alongside our partners to support ongoing recovery efforts.”
Featured Image – Emma Renly (via Unsplash)
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New Mayor Bev Craig announces FREE bus travel for 11 to 16-year-olds in Greater Manchester
Emily Sergeant
Thousands of high school children across Greater Manchester are set to benefit from free bus travel next year.
That’s because Greater Manchester’s newly-elected Mayor, Bev Craig, set out plans on her first official day in office yesterday (3 August) to help families with the rising cost of living by extending the already-popular ‘Our Pass’ scheme to give 11 to 16-year-olds free bus travel on the Bee Network from January 2027 onwards.
The move is expected to benefit nearly 200,000 young people across Greater Manchester – saving families up to £500 per child every year.
Applications will open later this year, so families can apply for their pass in advance.
Bev Craig has announced free bus travel for 11 to 16-year-olds in Greater Manchester / Credit: TfGM
Greater Manchester’s successful ‘Our Pass’ scheme was introduced in 2019 and already gives 16-18-year-olds free bus travel to make getting to education, training, and opportunities easier.
But this new extension means that, for the first time, all children between 11 and 18-years-old will be able to travel for free on the region’s buses.
On top of this, in further support for families, Bev has also confirmed that previously-agreed plans to give free bus travel for children in temporary accommodation will be implemented from this September – with this extra support set to be administered by councils and be in place for the new school term.
First day as Mayor of Greater Manchester. I promise to work for everyone, in every town, village and city.
— Mayor of Greater Manchester (@MayorofGM) August 3, 2026
“During my campaign, I promised that I would apply a simple test to every decision I take as Mayor – will it make life better for the people of Greater Manchester? That’s why on day one I’m announcing the extension of Our Pass to give free bus travel to 11 to 16-year-olds,” commented Bev Craig as the move was announced this week.
“This is exactly the kind of decision that passes our test.
“It will put more money in the pockets of thousands of hard-working families, and gives those young people a ticket to all the brilliant opportunities our city region offers.
“Families across Greater Manchester are struggling with the cost of living and I’m using my first day as Mayor to do something practical to make life a bit easier. By launching in January, young people will be boarding the Bee Network for free as they head back to school.”
Emily Sergeant -
15th December 2022 
