Burglar jailed after breaking into home and doing household chores for victim

On July 16 in Monmouthshire, Wales, Damian Wojnilowicz, 36 entered a woman's home and proceeded to make himself at home before leaving a note saying: "Don't worry, be happy, eat up and scratch."

After returning home from work, the woman spotted several household items had been moved, and that her recycling bins had been emptied.

Court heard how she had also noticed plant pots had been moved, bird feeders refilled, the washing hung and a pair of shoes had been removed from its packaging, which was placed in the recycling bin.

The household rearrangement hadn't stopped there, with the woman also noticing her shopping had been taken from a bag and placed in the fridge.

Wojnilowicz had even cooked a meal, using items from the woman's cupboard, said prosecutor Alice Sykes.

Wojnilowicz had used new kitchen utensils from the woman's shopping bag with the old ones being put in the bin.

The unusual burglary left the woman shaken and too afraid to stay in her own home.

It was also discovered that toothbrush heads had also been replaced, an empty bottle of wine was placed in a rack after being drunk, and the floor had been cleaned with a mop and bucket with the two items still being left out.

The victim also noticed that a bottle of red wine had been left out next to a glass and bottle opener, and there was a bowl of sweets on the living room table.

"I wondered if it was somebody who knew me, if it was going to turn into a stalking incident, if he knew I lived alone and if I had been targeted," the woman said in a victim personal statement. "I was too scared to stay in my own home and stayed with a friend."

This was not the first time Wojnilowicz was caught intruding into another person's home.

On 29 July, a male homeowner received a CCTV alert on his phone alerting him that a person, Wojnilowicz, was walking on his driveway. Wojnilowicz used the shower in a summerhouse to clean his clothes and helped himself to food and drinks.

The victim asked his son-in-law to go to the property, where Wojnilowicz appeared to be drunk and was holding a glass. The defendant left when asked to do so, but was later arrested. His DNA was found on fingerprints from the first property he had burgled.

The homeowner had reportedly said he felt "sick, horrified, and useless" after becoming aware of such intrusion.

The court heard how Wojnilowicz had four previous convictions for offences including public order offences, common assault and failing to surrender.

Tabitha Walker, defending Wojnilowicz, said he was undergoing a number of difficulties and told the court he was homeless at the time of the incident. She added he was apologetic to his victims, and for the harm he had caused to them.

However, Sentencing, Recorder Christian Jowett called Wojnilowicz's actions "a significant intrusion in their homes".

Wojnilowicz, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to two counts of burglary and was jailed on October 3 for 22 months at Cardiff Crown Court.