Stokesy is awarded an OBE at Buckingham Palace! 👏🎖️ pic.twitter.com/WYxhYWy2bz
— England's Barmy Army 🏴🎺 (@TheBarmyArmy) February 25, 2020
Ben Stokes receives his OBE medal at Buckingham Palace in 2020.
England Test captain Ben Stokes revealed that his home was burglarized earlier this month while he was away on tour in Pakistan, playing in the second Test at Multan. Stokes’ wife and two young children were at the family’s Castle Eden residence during the break-in but, fortunately, were not physically harmed. However, Stokes shared that the incident left a lasting emotional and mental impact on his family.
In a heartfelt social media post, Stokes recounted the distressing experience. “On the evening of Thursday, October 17, a group of masked individuals broke into my home in the northeast,” he wrote. “They got away with jewelry, valuables, and several personal items that hold deep sentimental value to us. These things are irreplaceable.”
“Check out this video covering the shocking burglary at cricketer Ben Stokes’s home by masked robbers while he was away in Pakistan.”
The burglary included items that held personal significance, such as his 2020 OBE medal awarded for his role in England’s historic World Cup win, along with a few cherished pieces of jewelry, including a ring, necklaces, and a handbag. Stokes also shared images of the stolen items, hoping to raise awareness and seek assistance from anyone with information that could help find the burglars.
Stokes expressed relief that his family was unharmed but acknowledged their trauma from the incident. “The worst part is knowing this happened while my family was home. Thankfully, they weren’t physically hurt, but the experience has had a real impact on them,” he shared, adding that the family is still shaken by the thought of what could have happened.
The cricket community and fans have shown support, standing by the cricketer and his family in hopes of bringing the burglars to justice.
Ben Stokes appeals to fans for help after a masked group broke into his home on October 17, stealing valuables with deep sentimental value while his wife and young children were present. He urges anyone with information to contact Durham Constabulary.#BenStokes #HomeInvasion pic.twitter.com/3jwbC1FyTa
— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) October 30, 2024
Stokes said, “We’ve lost things that are special to us, but I’m sharing these photos not just to get them back—I want to help catch the people who did this.”
Ben Stokes appeals to fans for help after a masked group broke into his home on October 17, stealing valuables with deep sentimental value while his wife and young children were present. He urges anyone with information to contact Durham Constabulary.#Cricket #News #BenStokes… pic.twitter.com/95OZXQ3QqB
— SportsTrends (@SportsTrendsCan) October 30, 2024
Ben Stokes has asked anyone who knows anything about the break-in at his house to contact Durham police. He thanked the police, saying they’ve been very supportive and are working hard to catch those responsible.
The 33-year-old England captain had just returned from a hamstring injury to play in Pakistan. He had missed four tests, but after recovering, he batted the day after the burglary. He scored 37 runs from 36 balls, though England lost that game by 152 runs.
Stokes had a tough time with his performance in the last Test and didn’t bowl in Rawalpindi, where England lost the series. This is the second series loss since he became captain in 2022.
Head coach Brendon McCullum said the tour was hard for Stokes and that working to recover from his injury may have affected his game. “It was a serious injury, and he worked really hard to get back,” McCullum said. “He’s a strong player, but all that effort can make it harder to stay clear-minded. He’s disappointed, but he’s our captain, and we know he’s tough.”
Stokes is part of England’s 16-man squad for the upcoming three-test tour in New Zealand, starting November 28 at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
For more details on this ongoing investigation, visit BBC News for the latest updates.
In conclusion, the Ben Stokes home burglary serves as a reminder of the vulnerabilities that come with fame. As investigations continue, fans and the sports community stand united in support of their hero.