A gang who burgled elderly and vulnerable victims in Chalfont St Peter and Iver have been jailed for more than 20 years. 

The burglaries occurred between December 23 last year and Saturday, January 7 this year in Iver, Chalfont St Peter, Slough and Windsor.

The gang stole bank cards, cash, jewellery and a vehicle during the crime spree. 

Following an investigation by Thames Valley Police, Ruben Smith, 33, of no fixed abode, Westley Harcup, 39, of Monksfield Way, Slough, and Sarah Belcher, 40, of Brammas Close, Slough, pleaded guilty and were jailed at Reading Crown Court today (June 13). 

Some of the victims, who were all in their homes at the time of the burglaries, were assaulted or threatened with weapons, with one of the terrified victims repeatedly punched in the face. 

They were all arrested on January 7 and charged the next day. 

Smith pleaded guilty to two counts of burglary, two counts of fraud and one count of robbery, and was jailed for a total of nine and a half years.

Harcup pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery, two counts of burglary and one count of fraud, and was sent to prison for a total of 12 years.

Belcher pleaded guilty to one count of burglary and was jailed for two years.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Katy Lewis of Local CID, said: “The victims in these offences are all elderly and vulnerable, with some victims suffering from dementia.

"The victims were targeted by the defendants because of their vulnerability and also because many of the properties were in remote areas.

"I am pleased that Ruben Smith, Westley Harcup and Sarah Belcher have been sentenced to a significant period in jail for these heinous crimes on some of the most vulnerable people in our communities."