A burglar recently made headlines in Monmouthshire after breaking into a woman’s home and carrying out a series of unsettling tasks. The individual, identified as Damian Wojnilowicz, aged 36, not only entered the property but also performed strange chores such as hanging out the victim’s washing and moving items around the house.
Upon returning home, the woman discovered her washing had been put out on the line, her garden had been tampered with, and various household tasks had been completed. Surprisingly, a note was left behind by the intruder, which read, “Don’t worry, be happy, eat up, and scratch.”
Further investigation revealed that the burglar had cooked a meal using items from the victim’s cupboard, rearranged her fridge, and placed kitchen utensils in the recycling bin. The intruder even drank a bottle of wine and left the empty container neatly on display.
The bizarre incident took a more concerning turn when the intruder returned for a second break-in, this time using the homeowner’s shower facilities and consuming more food and drink on the property. Fortunately, the homeowner’s son-in-law confronted the individual, who appeared intoxicated, leading to his arrest.
During sentencing at Cardiff Crown Court, Wojnilowicz pleaded guilty to two counts of burglary and was given a 22-month prison sentence. The court learned that the defendant, who was homeless at the time of the offences, expressed remorse for his actions. Despite this, Recorder Christian Jowett emphasized the severity of the intrusion into the victims’ homes.
In a victim personal statement, the first victim expressed heightened anxiety and fear following the incidents, leading her to consider moving address due to safety concerns. The second victim described feeling sick and horrified upon learning about the burglaries.
Wojnilowicz’s criminal history revealed four previous convictions for various offences. His defence lawyer, Tabitha Walker, highlighted the challenges her client faced while homeless. The court acknowledged Wojnilowicz’s apology to the victims but ultimately sentenced him to prison for his actions.
The unsettling case serves as a stark reminder of the impact of burglaries on victims and highlights the need for heightened security measures to prevent such incidents in the future.