Luton burglar jailed after 250k theft at snooker world champ Kyren Wilson's house
A burglar who ransacked the luxury home of snooker star Kyren Wilson while he played in a tournament before fleeing with £250,000 worth of goods has been jailed.
Kane Lee, 28, escaped with a haul of high-value jewellery, luxury watches, designer handbags and cash after targeting the former world champion's property in Barton Seagrave, Northants.
A court heard he travelled from Luton armed with tools and clothing bought from B&Q and Tesco earlier that morning, in a vehicle fitted with cloned plates.
He then struck at Wilson's four-bedroom detached property on Polwell Lane shortly before 11am on June 22, smashing an upstairs window to get in.
Lee rifled through the family home before fleeing with items including Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, Cartier Santos and Rolex Datejust watches and a blue sapphire necklace, which Wilson had bought his wife.
Around £2,000 destined for the BeMoreFab children’s cancer charity was also taken.
Wilson later posted on social media to describe the burglary as a "deeply distressing experience" and withdrew from the Championship League Snooker event in Leicester he had been playing in.
He wrote: “This has been a deeply distressing experience, not because of the value of the items alone, but because of the personal memories and meaning attached to them.”
Lee, of Luton, had been due to stand trial but changed his plea and admitted burglary at Northampton Crown Court.
On Monday (October 12) Her Honour Judge Rebecca Crane sentenced him to four years in prison and ordered him to pay a £228 surcharge.
The prolific burglar was previously jailed for three-and-a-half years after a string of Asian jewellery burglaries in 2018.
Detective Inspector Alan Rooney, of Northamptonshire Police, said afterwards: “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.”
Known as “The Warrior”, Wilson is one of Britain’s most successful snooker players. He turned professional in 2010 and has won multiple titles during his career including the world championship in 2024.
He has since been granted residency in Hong Kong, although he will retain his base in England.