Two burglars have been jailed after targeting the unoccupied home of a sick pensioner.
Krysztof Barwinski (63) of Warwick Avenue, Bewsey, and Szymon Antos (32) of Hale Street, Orford, were sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on March 3, after previously pleading guilty to the burglary of a dwelling and theft.
The court heard how officers in Warrington received a call from a member of the public, stating they believed a property in Paul Street, had been burgled by two men. This was captured on video doorbell footage.
The property belonged to an 88-year-old man who had previously been in hospital with an illness and had subsequently been discharged to a residential care home where he had been recovering further since late July 2024.
Further footage revealed the same men had been seen at the property three days prior, and clearly showed the two men’s faces and clothing. Antos (pictured left) was seen wearing a pair of distinctive black and white trainers and a bright orange backpack on the night of the burglary.
Six days later, investigating officers were patrolling near to the burgled address when one of them spotted and recognised Antos, who was wearing the same shoes and backpack seen in the footage. He was subsequently arrested on suspicion of burglary.
A later search of Antos’ home address led to officers locating Barwinski (pictured right) who was found partially dressed in the garden.
Upon entering Barwinski’s room, officers found items including pieces of jewellery, family banking bonds and cash – all of which belonged to the man who lived on Paul Street.
During their police interviews, the pair identified themselves on the video doorbell footage captured but denied any theft.
Barwinski was jailed for 20 months, with his accomplice, Antos, was handed a 16-month sentence.
Police constable Rhianna Latimer, said: “As a force, we remain committed to doing all we can to bring thieves, like Antos and Barwinski, to justice and safeguard those who have been the subject of burglaries.
“Antos and Barwinski deliberately preyed on a vulnerable and elderly person who was recovering from illness and a spell in hospital, and who definitely did not need his home being burgled and the thought of being permanently deprived of several sentimental items adding to his list of worries.
“However, thanks to the call to police from the concerned member of the pubic, we were provided with vital evidence that not only placed the pair at the scene on the night of the burglary but captured them scoping out the address three days prior.”
