Burglar jailed after stealing elderly man’s car

A burglar and robber who raided an elderly victim’s home and stole his car has been jailed.

Police tracked down the stolen vehicle within one hour of being called to a break-in at the 88-year-old victim’s property in Radford, Nottingham.

Car keys were taken during the burglary at around 4.30am on 8 April 2023, and the vehicle was stolen from the driveway.

Officers located and then stopped the car on the A610 Kimberley Bypass and found banned driver Krzysztof Skretowski behind the wheel.

When he was searched, Skretowski was found to have a stash of amphetamines in a zipped bag.

The 38-year-old, of HMP Nottingham, was jailed for a total of seven-and-a-half years when he appeared at Lincoln Crown Court on Monday (19 February)

He was convicted of burglary, driving while disqualified and without insurance, possession of a Class B drug and theft in relation to the Nottinghamshire incident.

Skretowski was also convicted of a robbery at a convenience store in Springfield Road, Grantham, Lincolnshire, on 1 November 2022.

He entered the store, put on a balaclava and threatened a shop assistant with a knife until she handed over cash from the till.

Skretowski had earlier been arrested by Lincolnshire Police officers at the Isaac Newton Shopping centre in Grantham, on 26 September 2022, and pleaded guilty to possession of a knife in a public place, drink-driving and driving without a licence or insurance.

Skretowski was also sentenced after admitting harassment by breaching a restraining order.

Detective Constable Demi Robertson, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:

“We worked closely with our colleagues at Lincolnshire Police to bring this offender to justice so I am pleased he has now been put behind bars.

“Criminal activity does not stop at county borders, which is why law enforcement always requires close cooperation between different forces.

“Our victim in Nottinghamshire was an elderly and vulnerable man who relied on his car to get around. Burglary is a despicable, invasive crime which can be a particularly upsetting experience for vulnerable victims.

“Thankfully, we were able to recover the vehicle and return it to him, as well as charge Skretowski and place him before the courts.

“I hope the victim is provided with some comfort both by our fast and efficient response and the sentence handed down.”