The callous pair used the victims’ own pillowcases to steal treasured personal belongings across London, Surrey and Hampshire
A callous uncle and nephew who burgled several homes belonging to elderly and vulnerable residents have been jailed. John Cawley, 49, and Billy O’Donoghue, 23, made off with cash, jewellery, cameras, and World War One medals from properties across London, Surrey and Hampshire.
In December 2024, the masked pair brazenly rifled through the room of a resident at an independent living home for over-55s in Chertsey as they slept in an armchair. CCTV cameras captured the younger crook inside the property, leading Surrey Police to his identity.
Officers were later able to link the two men to a further 10 burglaries, most of which targeted care homes, assisted living accommodation and the homes of vulnerable adults. Cawley and O’Donoghue used pillowcases taken from victims’ beds to carry stolen property from the premises before discarding them nearby.
On one occasion the thieves nicked more than £1,000 which had been collected as part of a donation fundraiser on behalf of residents at an accommodation in Farnborough. They had also falsely claimed to be police officers responding to a disturbance.
In one incident captured on CCTV at a property in Harrow, one of the offenders told a distressed resident he was a police officer while the second offender searched the property for items to steal. They were both detained in January 2025.
Cawley, from Hackney, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to burgle and was sentenced to 12 years in prison, reduced to nine years, at Guildford Crown Court. O’Donoghue, from Harrow, pleaded guilty to the same charge and was handed 11 years behind bars, reduced to seven.
Investigating officer PC Daniel Edwards said: “These offenders deliberately targeted elderly and vulnerable people, often entering their homes while they were inside and stealing treasured possessions which could never be replaced. The impact of these offences went far beyond the financial loss. Many victims were left distressed and feeling unsafe in places where they should have felt most secure.
“Through extensive CCTV enquiries, collaboration with other forces and detailed investigative work, officers were able to identify those responsible and build a strong evidential case against them. I welcome the significant sentences handed down by the court and hope they provide some reassurance to the victims and their families.”
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