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A burglar invaded a woman's residence, hung her laundry, organized her groceries, and emptied the recycling bin—before leaving behind an unsettling note. Damian Wojnilowicz, 36, has been sentenced to 22 months in prison for this peculiar break-in that occurred in Monmouthshire, Wales, on July 16.
The victim expressed that she felt too frightened to remain in her home after discovering that her belongings had been rearranged by an intruder.
Wojnilowicz also left a message that read: "Don't worry, be happy, eat up and scratch." During a sentencing session at Cardiff Crown Court on Thursday, it was revealed that he had refilled the bird feeders in the garden and relocated several plant pots.
Inside the house, he had removed a pair of shoes from their packaging, placing the empty box in the recycling bin. Prosecutor Alice Sykes noted that a meal had been prepared on the stove using items from the victim's pantry.
Groceries were taken from a bag and organized in the fridge, which had been rearranged, while the recycling bin was emptied. Kitchen utensils were disposed of in the bin, and new ones from the shopping bag were laid out. Toothbrush heads had also been replaced, and the floor had been mopped, with the cleaning supplies left out.
The victim found a bottle of red wine alongside a glass and bottle opener, as well as a bowl of sweets on the living room table. She later talked to her neighbor, who reported seeing someone hanging out her laundry.
A second burglary occurred at another property on July 29, when the homeowner received a CCTV alert showing Wojnilowicz walking on his driveway. The defendant used the shower in a summerhouse to clean himself and his clothes. Food and drinks were consumed, and the hot tub was left uncleaned.
When the homeowner's son-in-law arrived at the scene, Wojnilowicz appeared intoxicated and was holding a glass. He was asked to leave but was arrested later. His DNA was linked to fingerprints found at the first burglary site.
In her victim statement, the first victim shared: "For two weeks after the crime until he was caught, I lived in an intense state of anxiety I had never known before. I worried if it was someone who knew me, if it would escalate into stalking, or if I had been specifically targeted. I felt too afraid to stay home and stayed with a friend. When I returned, my daughter accompanied me because I couldn't go alone. My other daughters came by the next day to check on me and offer support."
The court learned that the first victim intended to move and was extremely aware of security measures. The second victim described feeling "sick, horrified, and helpless" upon learning about the burglary.
Wojnilowicz, who has no fixed address, later admitted to two counts of burglary. The court noted he has four prior convictions for offenses including common assault and public order violations.
In his defense, Tabitha Walker stated that her client was homeless at the time and facing various challenges. She mentioned that he expressed remorse for the distress he caused to the victims.
During sentencing, Recorder Christian Jowett remarked: "This was a significant invasion of their homes." He sentenced Wojnilowicz to a total of 22 months in prison at Cardiff Crown Court.
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