England Test captain Ben Stokes recently disclosed a distressing incident involving his family home in Castle Eden, North East England. On October 17, while Stokes was away on England’s tour of Pakistan, a group of masked burglars broke into his residence. His wife and two young children were present during the invasion, which left Stokes both shocked and deeply concerned for his family’s safety.
Ben Stokes’ statement and appeal to public
Ben Stokes took to social media to share the unsettling details of the incident, explaining that the intruders stole jewellery and other personal items with “real sentimental value” for his family. “They escaped with jewellery, other valuables, and a good deal of personal items,” Stokes stated, further emphasising the irreplaceable nature of the stolen belongings.
While Stokes acknowledged the loss of these cherished possessions, he clarified that his primary goal in releasing the information is not to recover the items but to “catch the people who did this.” He urged the public to assist by reporting any relevant information to Durham Constabulary, providing a crime reference number for potential leads.
Impact on Ben Stokes’ family
For Ben Stokes, the most distressing aspect of the crime is that it occurred with his family present. “By far the worst thing about this crime is that it was carried out whilst my wife and 2 young children were in the house,” he said. Fortunately, his family was physically unharmed, but he admitted that the experience has left an emotional impact on them. Stokes thanked the police, highlighting their exceptional support both during and after the incident.
Stokes also shared photographs of some stolen items, including his OBE medal and a Christian Dior bag, hoping these would help identify the perpetrators. He remains hopeful that sharing these images publicly will bring forth information that leads to an arrest.
Incident amidst a challenging Pakistan Tour
This shocking event occurred in the middle of England’s tour against Pakistan, on the third day of the second Test in Multan. Despite the personal turmoil, Stokes continued to fulfil his responsibilities as captain, maintaining his focus on the game and answering media questions about the team’s performance.
He remained committed to his role until the conclusion of the tour, even as his thoughts must have been with his family during this difficult time.
United Effort to Seek Justice
With the investigation ongoing, Stokes’ appeal to the public remains crucial in the pursuit of justice. He hopes that, with support from the community and law enforcement, those responsible will be held accountable.
