Man stole bank cards from woman he found dead

Jacqui Potter died at her home in Radiant Road in July

A man who stole bank cards from a woman after finding her dead in her home has been jailed.

Gabrial Strzeszwksi, also known as Carl Sanders, entered the home of Jacqui Potter in Thurncourt, Leicester, on 1 July and found her dead, Leicestershire Police said.

Officers later established that Strzeszwksi had taken two bank cards from her purse and used them to withdraw cash.

The 48-year-old was jailed for 23 months at Leicester Crown Court on Thursday after pleading guilty to preventing a lawful and decent burial, theft and fraud.

Gabrial Strzeszwksi pleaded guilty to three charges at Leicester Crown Court

Leicestershire Police said officers were called to Ms Potter's property in Radiant Road just after 06:00 BST on 4 July following reports she had been found dead.

A subsequent investigation, led by the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU), established that Strzeszwksi had made his way into Ms Potter's property after shouting for her through her bathroom window and receiving no response.

Police said he found her dead inside her bedroom but did not contact the emergency services and instead took her bank cards and used them to withdraw cash on 3 and 4 July.

Strzeszwksi, of Flamborough Road, Thurncourt, was arrested by police on 4 July and pleaded guilty to the charges on 17 October.

Dignity 'stripped away'

Police said Strzeszwksi had known Ms Potter "for some time" but upon finding her, "saw nothing but an opportunity for personal gain".

Det Con David Masters, from EMSOU, said: "This is a case that's difficult to comprehend and our thoughts and condolences remain with Ms Potter's family at this time.

"While no sentence is going to bring Ms Potter back, I hope her loved ones can take some relief from the fact he has been brought to justice."

In a statement, Ms Potter's family described Strzeszwksi's actions as "both shocking and distressing" and that "her dignity had been stripped away" by "an act so inhumane we find it hard to process".