Burglar jailed after 89-year-old Washington woman awoke to find 'dark figure' in her bedroom

The widow had been asleep when Radoslaw Chmielewski entered her sheltered accommodation home, in Washington, in the early hours of January 12 and she woke to find a "dark figure" standing near her chest of drawers, a court heard.

Newcastle Crown Court heard the raider initially put the light on to see what he was taking but switched it straight off when he saw the victim was in bed.

The 37-year-old former caretaker got away with food and irreplaceable jewellery, including the victim's late husband's pocket watch and her wedding ring, in the raid.

Prosecutor Kevin Wardlaw told the court: "It was around 5am she became aware someone was in her address.

"She noticed a dark figure standing in her bedroom, near her chest of drawers.

"He put the light on and immediately switched it off before leaving the bedroom."

The court heard the victim initially thought the stranger may have been one of her carers but quickly realised it was an intruder.

In a statement she said: "I am very shaken by this. I am not sure how safe I will feel getting to sleep tonight. Talking about it is making me nervous."

Mr Wardlaw said the victim is now in the process of moving home due to the impact of what happened.

Chmielewski, formerly of Washington, admitted burglary.

He also pleaded guilty to offences of going equipped, theft from a motor vehicle and interfering with a motor vehicle after he was caught trying car doors on the Coach Road Estate two nights beforehand.

Judge Sarah Mallett sentenced Chmielewski to 16 months behind bars.

The judge said the stolen jewellery was of great value to the victim and told Chmielewski: "Whenever you steal jewellery like that, in those circumstances, you must realise it is likely to be of far greater, sentimental, value to the person from whom you took it than it is ever going to be of value to you."

Judge Mallett said the impact of what happened on the victim is "shown by the fact she is leaving her home" and that she was "very shaken".

Tony Hawks, defending, said, until late last year, Chmielewski had work as a caretaker and a long term relationship with children and had been out of trouble for many years.

But Mr Hawks added: "This is a startling illustration of how rapidly someone's life can disintegrate when they lapse, or relapse, into drug addiction."

Mr Hawks said Chmielewski lost his job, his relationship and his home because of heroin and was homeless with no money when he committed the offences.

The court heard some of the stolen jewellery was recovered from a pawn brokers and Chmielewki was still carrying some of it when he was arrested.