'Handyman' stole cash, key and jewellery from lady's house
In her victim impact statement, the woman said that her home had been "violated" and the incident affected her both emotionally and financially.
A man stole €900 in cash, jewellery and a car key from a woman's Waterford home under the guise of being a "handyman".
40-year-old Grzegorz Przybylak, of Mount Suir Manor, Waterford City, appeared at Waterford District Court of Appeal before Judge Eugene O'Kelly.
Gardaí said that on November 23, 2024, Przybylak stole from a woman's house in the city. The woman had hired him as a handyman. Gardaí were quickly able to apprehend the accused. They were also able to recover the jewellery from a local pawn shop.
In her victim impact statement, the woman said that her home had been "violated" and the incident affected her both emotionally and financially.
The court heard that the defendant had a newborn baby at home and was worried about money. He was struggling with gambling at the time and immediately lost money betting €250 at the bookies. He is now in gainful employment and attends meetings to help with gambling addiction.
Judge O'Kelly ordered Przybylak to pay back the pawnbrokers €300 for loss of earnings, to undergo Community Service and to pay €500 for the theft of the car key. His sentence was mitigated due to his early guilty plea and apology to the victim.
