In a shocking turn of events, England’s Test captain Ben Stokes recently revealed that masked intruders burgled his home while his wife and young children were inside. The terrifying incident occurred on the evening of October 17 at Stokes' residence in the Castle Eden area in North East England.
Stokes, who was away on tour in Pakistan for a three-match Test series, took to social media to issue an emotional plea for public assistance and police support to identify the culprits and recover sentimental valuables. In his appeal, Stokes described the robbery in detail, sharing how the burglars escaped with several irreplaceable items, including jewellery, personal mementoes, and his cherished OBE medal.
This medal, a recognition for his contributions to cricket, particularly after his incredible performances in the 2019 Cricket World Cup and the unforgettable Headingley Test against Australia, holds significant sentimental value for the cricketer and his family. He shared pictures of some of these stolen items online, hoping they would be easily identifiable, and requested the public's help in tracking them down.
Stokes urges information!
For Ben Stokes, the emotional toll of the incident far outweighs the loss of material possessions. He emphasized how deeply this invasion has impacted his family, particularly his wife and young children, who were at home during the robbery.
Although, fortunately, no one was physically harmed, Stokes highlighted that the trauma of the incident had affected their emotional and mental well-being. “The worst part of this crime,” he shared, “is that it was carried out while my family was in the house. All we can think about is how much worse this situation could have been.”
The England all-rounder urged anyone with information to come forward, providing the crime reference CRI00575927 for Durham Constabulary, and thanked the police for their unwavering support both while he was away in Pakistan and upon his return. Their diligence and assistance have provided a sense of relief to his family during this challenging period, he said.
As England looks ahead to a Test series in New Zealand scheduled for November, the England Cricket Board and the team are hopeful that Stokes will be in a better frame of mind to lead. Stokes, known for his resilience and leadership on the field, now faces the challenge of supporting his family through this distressing experience while focusing on England’s upcoming matches.