TWELVE men have been charged with offences relating to an aggravated burglary in Somerset dating back more than eight years, police say.

Valuable paintings and jewellery were taken from a property in the Bruton area in March 2009.

Fifteen well-known and valuable paintings, expensive jewellery and silverware - including a silver canteen of cutlery, ornate mirror and pair of silver candelabra - were taken during the burglary. They were together valued at around £2.5 million.

All but one of the 15 paintings taken have been recovered. The outstanding painting is Sir John Lavery’s After Glow Taplow.

Following a complex and detailed investigation a series of arrests were made in the West Midlands, Gloucestershire, London, Surrey and Kent.

The 12 men charged in connection with the burglary are due to appear before Bristol Magistrates’ Court on August 24.

The accused are:

  • a 41-year-old man, from Gloucester, charged with conspiracy to rob;
  • a 40-year-old man, from Gloucester, charged with conspiracy to rob;
  • a 45-year-old man, of no fixed address, charged with assisting in the realisation of stolen property;
  • a 38-year-old man, of no fixed address, charged with conspiracy to rob and assisting in the realisation of stolen property;
  • a 63-year-old man, from Dartford, charged with assisting in the realisation of stolen property and conspiracy to defraud;
  • a 55-year-old man, from London, charged with assisting in the realisation of stolen property;
  • a 62-year-old man, from Weighbridge, Surrey, charged with assisting in the realisation of stolen property, conspiracy to defraud and perverting the course of justice;
  • a 52-year-old man, from London, charged with assisting in the realisation of stolen property and conspiracy to defraud;
  • a 55-year-old man, from London, charged with assisting in the realisation of stolen property and conspiracy to defraud;
  • a 60-year-old man, from Birmingham, charged with converting criminal property;
  • a 64-year-old man, from Solihill, charged with converting criminal property;
  • a 42-year-old man, from Birmingham, charged with assisting in the realisation of stolen property.