Bizarre 'burglars' break into mansion...to take photos and sit on sofa

THESE suspected burglars were caught on camera in an aristocrat’s mansion — but left after taking photos and sitting on his furniture.

- By Imogen Howse

CCTV footage shows four men and a women wandering around Grade II*-listed Maunsel House in Bridgwater, Somerset.

Shortly before, the 13-bedroom 14th century home - thought to be where Geoffrey Chaucer wrote The Canterbury Tales — had been listed for sale at £3.5million.

None of the group tried to hide their identity and one even relaxed on a red velvet sofa, on camera.

Sir Benjamin Slade, 79 — owner of the 1,300-acre estate — said he felt “violated” when he saw the footage from Sunday, but while the group caused a “couple of hundred pounds worth of damage” they had taken nothing of great value.

Trinkets

He added: “They left their fingerprints everywhere and there were a few breakages but they only ran off with a few small items.