Brothers who targeted frail pensioners in burglary spree jailed for 14 years

Jailed: Leonard Chambers (left) and Alfred Chambers (right) targeted the elderly to steal vast quantities of jewellery and cash
Metropolitan Police
Laura Proto7 August 2015

Two brothers who preyed on frail pensioners to steal thousands of pounds of jewellery and cash have been jailed for a total of 14 years.

Leonard Chambers, 42, from Brighton, and Alfie Chambers, 34, from Mitcham, admitted 14 counts of burglary between them and were each handed seven-year jail sentences at Kingston Crown Court on August 6.

The predatory siblings targeted the vulnerable across Croydon, Sutton, Mitcham and Morden in south west London, as well as in Brighton and East Sussex, between January and March this year.

The duo would gain access to homes by smashing key safe boxes or pretending to be plain clothed police officers and once inside, one would distract the victim while the other would look for handbags, cash and bank cards.

Throughout their burglary spree, the brothers stole more than £8,000 worth of jewellery and more than £1,700 in cash.


The eldest victim, a 92-year-old man from Thornton Heath, had recently had a stroke and was fleeced out of £500, and an 86-year-old woman in Wallington had £1,200 stolen from her home.

Two further victims, a 90-year-old deaf woman from Mitcham and an 86-year-old woman from Brighton, were targeted twice by Alfred Chambers and were able to give detailed descriptions to the police.

Three other pensioners fell victim to the brothers’ crimes and the pair were eventually caught in Morden on March 12 with gloves, a crowbar and stolen jewellery in their possession.

Detective Constable Mike Bunn, from Merton burglary squad, said: “The Chambers brothers are a prolific and unscrupulous criminal duo who actively targeted elderly and vulnerable people across a number of areas.

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“As a result of a meticulous and labour intensive investigation I am pleased with the length of their sentences and hope it will provide some comfort to their victims.”

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