Duo burgled elderly man’s home whilst he was in care home recovering from illness

Published by Robert L Senior Reporter on Sunday 9th March 2025, at 16:00hrs

Liverpool Crown Court has seen two callous burglars, Krysztof Barwinski and Szymon Antos, jailed for their heartless crime against an 88-year-old man recovering from illness.

Barwinski, 38, received a 20-month sentence, while Antos, 36, was handed 16 months, both after pleading guilty to burglary and theft.

The shocking incident unfolded in Warrington, where the elderly victim, recently discharged from hospital and residing in a care home since late July, had his Paul Street property violated.

On Friday, September 13, 2024, a vigilant member of the public alerted police to a suspected burglary, providing vital video doorbell footage.

The footage revealed Barwinski and Antos had not only targeted the home that night but had also been seen casing the property three days prior, clearly displaying their faces and distinctive clothing.

Antos was particularly identifiable by his unique black trainers with white detailing and a bright orange backpack.

Just six days later, on September 16, officers patrolling the area recognized Antos, still sporting the same shoes and backpack, leading to his immediate arrest.

A subsequent search of his residence uncovered Barwinski, found partially clothed in the garden.

Further investigation of Barwinski’s room yielded the victim’s stolen possessions, including jewellery, family banking bonds, and cash.

Despite initially denying theft after being shown the doorbell footage, both men eventually pleaded guilty to burglary and theft on September 21, 2024.

Police Constable Rhianna Latimer condemned the pair’s actions, stating,

“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.”

The swift action of the concerned citizen and the diligent work of the investigating officers ensured these heartless criminals were brought to justice, offering some measure of solace to the victim.