A burglar recently made headlines for breaking into a woman’s home in Monmouthshire, where he not only stole items but also embarked on some rather peculiar activities. Damian Wojnilowicz, 36, carried out the unusual burglary, which included hanging out the victim’s washing, emptying her recycling bin, and even putting away her shopping. The bizarre incident took place on July 16, leaving the homeowner perplexed upon her return from work.
Upon discovering her washing hung up and various items rearranged in her garden, the victim also found a note left by the intruder. The note read, “Don’t worry, be happy, eat up, and scratch,” adding a creepy touch to the already strange burglary. Inside the house, further oddities were uncovered, such as a cooked meal on the stove using items from the victim’s cupboard, kitchen utensils discarded in the bin, and toothbrush heads being replaced on toothbrushes.
The victim’s sense of security was severely shaken by the incident, prompting her to stay with a friend out of fear. The intrusion left her in a heightened state of anxiety and uncertainty, wondering about the perpetrator’s motives and whether she had been specifically targeted. The unsettling experience led her to consider moving to a new address and adopt hyperconscious security measures.
In a separate incident on July 29, another homeowner caught Wojnilowicz on CCTV footage, walking on his driveway and using the shower in a summerhouse to wash his clothes. The intruder was later found to have consumed food and drink on the premises, leaving behind a trail of disturbance and discomfort. The gravity of Wojnilowicz’s actions was not lost on the court, which sentenced him to a total of 22 months imprisonment.
During the sentencing, Recorder Christian Jowett highlighted the severity of Wojnilowicz’s intrusion into the victims’ homes, emphasizing the impact on their sense of safety and well-being. In light of his guilty plea to two counts of burglary, the court took into account his previous convictions and the mitigating circumstances surrounding his homelessness and personal struggles.
As the victims process the aftermath of these unsettling events, they are left grappling with feelings of fear, vulnerability, and violation of their privacy. Wojnilowicz’s actions serve as a stark reminder of the importance of home security and vigilance in protecting one’s personal space from such invasive acts.