Man is banned from Southport after shoe theft
Strike is called off
AMAN has been banned from Southport after stealing three old pairs of shoes.
Arkadiusz Zachwieja targeted several homes in a series of break-ins and attempted burglaries and thefts but only managed to pilfer two pairs of Adidas trainers and a used pair of boots.
A judge branded him a “one man crimewave”.
Liverpool Crown Court heard on Friday that the 43-year-old’s crimes spanned five different dates and saw him try his luck at eight separate properties within the Southport area. His first set of offences saw him strike at three properties on Argyle Road on March 3 this year.
Kevin Liston, prosecuting, described how Zachwieja, of Ashley Road, triggered one homeowner’s Ring doorbell camera at around 6am. When the occupant and his neighbours checked footage captured by their CCTV systems, he was seen skulking through their back gardens, trying the doors of houses and entering a shed.
It is not believed that he took any items from this outhouse. However the Polish national, who was assisted by an interpreter in court, damaged a drainpipe on one property while moving a camera.
Then, on March 25, Zachwieja turned his attentions to neighbouring addresses on Cambridge Avenue, when he was caught on camera trying the door handles of a Kia Sportage car. He was also seen cycling down the street in latex gloves, climbing over walls and unsuccessfully attempting to pass through garden gates.
The following day, he struck on Larkfield Lane. One resident spotted
Zachwieja attempting to open the door to his garage. He returned to the same street on the evening of March 27, being seen on a driveway trying the doors of a car before entering the porch of a house and lifting a pair of boots from inside before cycling away.
His offending then continued on September 30, when he targeted a house on Dodworth Avenue. Two pairs of Adidas trainers were stolen on this occasion.
Under interview, Zachwieja told detectives that he had been drunk and had “no recollection” of the incidents. The court was told that he now has no legal status to remain in the UK and has “volunteered to be deported”, having first arrived in the country in the midnoughties following three periods in prison in Poland in 2001, 2003 and 2004 for offences of “dishonesty”.
He was said to have “come to the UK for a fresh start and been out of trouble for 18 years”. But Andrew McInnes, defending, added on his behalf: “The catalyst is the loss of his status.
“He was not allowed to remain and not allowed to work. It seems he has taken to alcohol because of his inability to work.
“I think it is as a result of his resettlement status since Brexit. He was working in agriculture and the like.
“It seems, because of the market, he had no employment. He began to drink more and more and his mother moved away.
“His behaviour is of a man wandering around looking for opportunities. The items were of a low value.
“His intention is to stop drinking, which has led to these offences, and to get back to employment. He apologises to the householders and the court for committing offences.”
Zachwieja admitted three counts of burglary, four of attempted burglary and two of attempted theft from a motor vehicle. Appearing via video link to HMP Altcourse, he was jailed for 30 months and prevented from entering Southport for five years under a restraining order.
Recorder Mark Ainsworth described him as a “one man crimewave over these weeks”, adding in his sentencing remarks: “It is clear that, as a much these younger man, you were in trouble in your home country for offences including dishonesty. Shortly after your release in 2004 or 2004, you travelled to the UK.
“It is commendable that, for 17 or 18 years, you remained out of trouble. But, during the course of this year, your circumstances have changed.
“That resulted in a change in your conduct. These offences will have caused distress and anxiety to the householders and vehicle owners.”
AN EIGHT-DAY strike in Merseyside’s fire control room has been called off following last-minute negotiations between the FBU and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service leaders.
Fire Brigades Union members in the control room had voted 100% to strike on a turnout of 92% and were set to strike for eight consecutive days from December 27.
But in negotiations, fire service management came forward with a revised offer which will improve the work-life balance of control room staff, as well as introducing an agreed duty shift system with a pay uplift of £6880 per year. Staff will also be compensated if they agree to change shifts at short notice.
At a meeting on December 21, FBU members in fire control voted to accept the offer. Formal letters were sent the following day confirming the end of the dispute in the control room.
Matt Wrack, Fire Brigades Union general secretary, said: “This is a positive outcome for both fire control staff and the wider public in Merseyside, and demonstrates clearly the benefits of collective bargaining. By sitting down with our employers, we were able to hammer out an agreement which was acceptable to all parties.
“The agreement will substantially improve the work-life balance for staff and means that they will be working on an agreed terms and conditions.
“It was only possible because of the hard work and determination of local members and officials, and because of the solidarity they received from their colleagues and the wider community. The Fire Brigades Union would like to congratulate all involved. We look forward to working with employers to resolve the wider dispute in Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service in the New Year.”