Burglar sentenced after Rolex and Cartier watches stolen in 250k theft at snooker star Kyren Wilson's house
A burglar with a long history of high-value thefts has been sentenced.
Kane Lee, of Albert Road, Luton, was at Northampton Crown Court to be sentenced after targeting the luxury house in Polwell Lane, Barton Seagrave.
Kyren Wilson, a former world snooker champion, had been playing in Leicester on the night his home was targeted on June 22.
That morning, Kane Lee went to B&Q and Tesco, intent on burgling Kyren’s home.
Driving a vehicle fitted with cloned number plates, Lee arrived in Barton Seagrave, shortly before 11am and smashed the upstairs window of the four-bedroom detached house.
He left in the same vehicle.
As part of the investigation, officers from Northamptonshire Police carried out fast-track enquiries and worked closely with Bedfordshire Police to quickly identify Lee as the offender.
As a result of the cross-border investigation, Lee was arrested during a joint operation involving both forces.
Kyren later posted on social media to say that among the jewellery, watches and luggage stolen by Lee, who broke in through an upstairs window, were an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, Cartier Santos, and Rolex Datejust watches and a blue sapphire necklace.
£2,000 destined for the BeMoreFab children’s cancer charity was also taken.
He described the burglary as a ‘deeply distressing experience’ and withdrew from the tournament he had been playing in.
Lee had been due to stand trial in January but earlier this month, was in court for an administrative hearing when he pleaded guilty to the single charge of burglary.
Her Honour Judge Rebecca Crane sentenced him to four years in prison and ordered him to pay a £228 surcharge.
The 28-year-old is a prolific burglar. In 2018 he was jailed for three-and-a-half years after a string of Asian jewellery burglaries.
Wilson, who has previously shown vloggers around his home in several different YouTube videos, grew up in Kettering and has often spoken about his pride for the town.
He has since been granted residency in Hong Kong, although he will retain his base in England.
Detective Inspector Alan Rooney of the North CID team, who led the investigation, said: “This was a great example of officers and staff from two police forces working together and I would like to thank Bedfordshire Police for their support.
“This investigation is a great example of partnership working which demonstrates the benefit of sharing information, expertise and resources to help not only identify those offenders who are willing to cross borders to commit crime, but also to help secure justice for victims.
“People often underestimate how violating it can feel to know that someone has been inside your home with the sole intent of stealing your property and we are pleased that the sentence reflects how much a crime such as this can affect someone.
“Through Operation Crooked, we are fully committed to reducing burglaries and will continue acting on information provided to take robust action towards and spare residents the anguish of being a victim of burglary.”