A FAMILY who helped police catch the man who burgled their home are disgusted after he escaped with a police caution this week.
Monique Carson, partner David Cable and their son Douglas were shocked to return from a trip to Great Yarmouth on November 25 last year to find their belongings missing, including an X Box games console and sentimental jewellery, and Christmas presents unwrapped.
Miss Carson is even more frustrated because she claims it was her fiancé David who found a piece of the burglar's latex glove – something she says forensic officers missed.
Police then got a DNA match from the glove and after a wanted person appeal in the Essex Chronicle, Ireneusz Blaszczyk, 23, last known to be living in Galleywood, handed himself in to the police on February 21.
But to his victims' shock he escaped without criminal charge and received a police caution instead.
Recalling the moment she returned home, Monique, a part-time worker at Hylands House, said: "When David reached the door he noticed it was open.
"He turned to me and said 'you forgot to lock the door' but as he opened it there was glass all over the hallway. The TV was pulled out and there were wires everywhere, they even unwrapped my niece and nephews' presents on the kitchen table ready for Christmas.
"We rang the police and they came down straightaway to make sure that nobody was still in the house, and then the forensic team turned up."
But Monique claims police found no major clues and told her it would be unlikely that someone would be caught – until David found a vital clue a day later.
"Following on from the police forensic investigation, it was actually David who found the piece of evidence which could prove crucial to catching the thief – a small part of a latex glove," said Monique.
"From that the police were able to obtain DNA evidence linking the thief to the crime and it transpired that the thief was known to the police and in their database.
"On February 14 the Chronicle ran a brief article about the wanted man, and printed a photo. The next we heard was on Friday, March 1, when the police called to tell us the suspect had turned himself in and confessed to his crime.
"But our relief turned to anger and disbelief when the officer told us that the thief had received only a police caution, and no further action would be taken.
"Burglary is a despicable and cowardly crime, an invasion into people's sanctuary which can ruin their lives. We still do not feel safe in our home and are now looking to move."
The burglary at Monique's family home in Pyms Road, Galleywood, was one of 925 in mid Essex last year, up 13.9 per cent from 2011.
Chelmsford, and particularly Galleywood and Moulsham, was one of the hardest hit areas, with 458 burglaries in 2012, up 26 on the previous year.
County councillor, Dick Madden, who was also a victim of burglary in Moulsham Lodge last year, said: "Having experienced a burglary at my own home last year, my wife and I know the consequences and the impact it has is not particularly pleasant.
"If it was not for the support from the neighbours who assisted my wife in coming to terms with the burglary, she may not have recovered.
"We all have to be in it together looking out for Billy the Burglar, and reporting any suspicious behaviour to the police."
Detective Inspector Paul Maleary, who has been actively involved in Operation Nemesis – the police drive to catch burglars – said: "In my opinion dwelling burglaries have the most impact that we deal with. We deal with murders and abductions, but burglaries are up there because of the devastation they cause, people are heartbroken.
"I have seen the impact on the victims and it does not matter where you go, people are devastated.
"We successfully caught a burglar called Ricky Ingrams from Witham who was jailed for four years and nine months, but unfortunately that is only part of the story.
"Some are given a very small sentence by the courts, and although I can't comment on that, I will say that there needs to be a deterrent to stop these criminals."
A police spokesperson added: "When the police issue a caution people often think they have got off lightly, but in fact they haven't
"You are given a caution and then if you commit a further offence you will then be dealt with for the original offence as well as the new offence.
"And an offender has to accept the caution which means they are admitting to the offence."
