Man Jailed for Unusual Burglary: Cooked, Cleaned, and Left Chilling Note

A woman in Monmouthshire discovered her home had been broken into... Her laundry had been hung out, her groceries were put away, and a meal had been cooked using items from her kitchen. The incident, which occurred on 16 July, led to the arrest of Damian Wojnilowicz, 36, who was sentenced to 22 months in prison at Cardiff Crown Court.

Man Jailed for Unusual Burglary: Cooked, Cleaned, and Left Note

Upon returning from work, the homeowner found her garden tended, bird feeders refilled, and plant pots rearranged. Inside the house, she noticed her recycling bin had been emptied, her shoes unpacked from their box, laundry hung out to dry and the kitchen cleaned. A note left by the intruder read, "Don't worry, be happy, eat up and Eat Up," along with a cooked meal.

Did This Make The Woman Happy or Scared?

The woman, shaken by the invasion, explained that she was too afraid to remain in her home after the incident. "I couldn’t stay in my own home," she shared in a statement. "I wondered if I was being targeted or stalked."

The court also heard that two weeks later, on 29 July, Wojnilowicz entered another home. He showered in the homeowner's summerhouse, drank their beverages, and left the hot tub dirty. When the homeowner’s son-in-law confronted him, Wojnilowicz appeared intoxicated and left the property.

Authorities were able to trace Wojnilowicz through DNA evidence left at the first scene. He was later arrested and admitted to both burglaries. The second homeowner described feeling "horrified and useless" after discovering the break-in.

Wojnilowicz, who had no fixed address at the time, pleaded guilty to two burglary charges. He had prior convictions for assault and public disorder offenses. His defense lawyer explained that he had been going through tough times and expressed regret for his actions, but the judge emphasized the seriousness of the intrusions, calling them significant violations of the victims' personal space.