A 100-year-old man with dementia was the victim of a series of break-ins by a family of “professional” thieves who targeted vulnerable people in their homes.

Martin Stoakes, Patrick Cawley and John Cawley will together serve up to 17 years in prison after breaking into several houses in Slough in July and November 2020 and February 2021.

On sentencing, Judge Edward Burgess QC said: “I have no doubt that you are targeting the homes of the vulnerable and the elderly.

“You are all seasoned and professional burglars in my opinion. There is nothing to distinguish between you.

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What happened?

The heist series began in July 2020 with Martin Stoakes, also known as Martin Cawley.

The 43-year-old, from Branston Road, London, attempted to break into two houses in Slough.

After being confronted with the occupants of these properties, Stoakes fled.

He tried his luck at another house in Slough and managed to steal a sapphire and diamond ring, a gold ring, and car keys.

In November 2020, John Cawley, who is Martin’s uncle, smashed the window of a house in Slough and managed to get in.

Here he stole £ 1,000 in cash – but DNA on the broken window then helped police identify the 59-year-old.

And in February 2021, Martin and John and Patrick Cawley, 63, (Martin’s father and John’s brother) were involved in even more burglaries.

At one property, the trio managed to enter a family’s home while they were present and steal a wallet.

They tried to rob two other houses on the same day, but despite their entry, they were unable to take any items.

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Who were the victims?

The first people to suffer at the hands of this trio were a 78-year-old woman and her disabled 77-year-old husband, whom she cares for, after Martin Stoakes attempted to break into their home in November 2020.

Hearing a few knocks, the woman bravely confronted Stoakes and he left.

She said she remained calm but after the police left after the incident, she “couldn’t stop shaking”.

In a victim impact statement, she said she feared Stoakes would return and lock her up so she couldn’t take care of her husband.

Another victim of another property, Stoakes, attempted to break into the house but did not say the incident “made her very upset”.

She said: “It made me think twice about everything.

“It’s sad that I’m so nervous in my own house.

“I actually keep a baseball bat behind my bed for protection now.”

Crown Court Reading

The woman at the heart of John Cawley’s November 2020 heist echoed what other victims had said.

“I feel raped that someone has been at my house and searched all my things which are private and personal,” she added.

A burglary attempt by the three family members in February 2021 involved men breaking into the home of a man and his 100-year-old mother, who had dementia.

Although the group took nothing, the man said the incident had a “huge impact” on him and his mother.

He said: “I believe the shocking trauma of the incident triggered memories of my mother’s youth which kept her from sleeping.

“Because of this, I have had times when I haven’t slept for 72 hours.

“It had a huge impact on my mental health.”

The other attempted burglary took place at the home of a 92-year-old man.

Continuing, Gérard Renout declared: “These premises have been targeted. They are old people.

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What did the defense have to say?

Tom Blackburn said Martin Stoakes committed the offenses in “desperation”.

He added: “He finds it very difficult to get work let alone in a pandemic.”

Describing the February 2021 heists, Mr Blackburn said Stoakes took John and Patrick to see an old friend.

But he got a message that ordered him to pay off a debt on his car and “made the decision that he was going to run away from homes to finance his debt.”

According to Mr. Blackburn, Patrick Cawley asked to be taken away and did not want a role in the break-ins.

But Stoakes refused and all three had a part to play in the events of that day.

Stoakes, which already had 44 convictions for 122 offenses, has become “institutionalized”.

“Crime is what he knows and how he gets away with it,” Mr Blackburn told Reading Crown Court.

Despite this, he had “remorse” for his actions, said the defense lawyer.

John Cawley was noted as having “total regrets” for his actions, while Patrick Cawley “raised his hand” for his role in the offenses.

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What sentences did they receive?

Sentencing Judge Edward Burgess QC said these offenses were “very serious”.

Addressing the defendants, who have all appeared via video link from prison, he said: “This is far from the first time that each of you has appeared in criminal courts.

“The three of you have terrible criminal records.

“I have no doubt that you are targeting the homes of the vulnerable and the elderly.

“You are all seasoned and professional burglars in my opinion. There is nothing to distinguish between you.

Stoakes, who was also convicted of a driving misdemeanor, was sentenced to seven years and three months in prison for his involvement in the burglaries and attempted break-ins of July 2020 and February 2021.

John Cawley, homeless, was sentenced to a total sentence of five years and three months for burglaries and attempted burglaries in November 2020 and February 2021.

And Patrick Cawley. of Bridge Road, London, learned he would be behind bars for up to four and a half years for his role in the February break-ins and attempted break-ins.

Collectively, the trio will serve up to 17 years in prison.

Sentencing took place at Reading Crown Court on Friday May 28.