Mum pays tribute to Dawid Czapaj after body found in River Stort
"He always tried to help others. He was kind, warm, and helpful. He respected his elders," she said."As a teenager, he always loved to play soccer, go fishing and ride his bike. He had a deep love for animals and nature. "Even as an adult, he would catch a spider he found in his room and release it, telling it he wanted it to live too."His mother also shared how he was a keen gym-goer, who disliked violence and avoided confrontation.She also told how he had passed his school exams and driving test."He was a very good person and son," she added.The police said Mr Czapaj's death was not being treated as suspicious. "Our thoughts remain with his family at this sad time," they said.
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Daily Mail
29 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
'I had to identify my PANTS from 15 pairs': Mother who had her underwear stolen by police officer tells of 'nightmare' ordeal after cop was caught going through drawers on CCTV
A horrified mother who had her underwear stolen by a police officer has told how the 'nightmare' left her suffering sleepless nights and months of emotional distress. Marcin Zielinski, 27, was caught rifling through Lea-Ann Sullivan's drawers before grabbing a pair of underwear and slipping them into back pocket during a visit to the property on September 12, 2024. The Hertfordshire Constabulary officer admitted one charge of theft and a charge of corrupt/improper exercise of police powers and privileges by a constable and was jailed for four months on Monday. While his sentencing has brought some 'closure', Lea-Ann is still reeling from the horrific year-long ordeal and has left her trust for police at an all-time low. 'I think I've cried, I've laughed, I've been angry. I feel vulnerable, feel scared. I just think I feel sick about the whole situation,' the mother-of-two told the Daily Mail. 'I'm constantly thinking, what did he want them for? Why did he take them? What's he going to do with them? How many more people has he done it to?' Lea-Ann felt so 'violated' by the incident that she has since got rid of all her underwear and the chest of drawers as it became a constant reminder of the harrowing video. Her daughter, who is autistic, was also left reeling from the incident and is now so scared of police that she is reluctant to ever call them if she gets in trouble. 'Once I found out he had taken them, every time I looked into that drawer the video played back in my head,' Lea-Ann added. 'I had to clear my drawers and throw away all my underwear as they kept reminding me of the situation and I felt disgusted. 'I would never have let him into my home if he was not a police officer and he has completely misused his position and trust to facilitate his own habits.' During the night of the incident, Lea-Ann was arrested in connection with an unrelated matter and was later released with no further action taken. But she was still in custody when her partner Grant first discovered the ring doorbell footage and was shocked by what he saw. 'It wasn't until a few days later that we looked back on the camera and saw the policeman going into the drawer and going back into the drawer. 'On the footage he signals to the other guy "I've searched this room, go and search the other room". 'So he sent the other officer out and that's when he proceeded to open the drawer and stick them in his back pocket.' 'I was very shocked and angry to say the least. My wife was sick. 'She still doesn't go in the drawer now, she got rid of the cabinet. 'My wife was in the cell still, so I went straight to the police station and reported it.' The couple were then faced with further turmoil as Lea-Ann was forced to identify her underwear in a police parade in front of other officers. 'Lea-Ann had to go and do an ID parade to identify the knickers. 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What if that's a disabled lady. 'Or what if he takes it to the next level. Look at Wayne Cousens, he started flashing and he's killed a lady. 'I just don't trust any of them, and I don't even trust the women.' Zielinski was also condemned by his force who said his behaviour represented a 'fundamental betrayal of the public'. Zielinski resigned from the force while under investigation in November 2024. Hertfordshire Constabulary Assistant Chief Constable Genna Telfer said: 'Zielinski has let down the public of Hertfordshire, the police service as a whole and his former colleagues, who act with professionalism and integrity. 'His criminal behaviour damages the reputation of policing and represents a fundamental betrayal of the public and the values for which the police service stands.'
The Independent
2 hours ago
- The Independent
Council leaders weigh up legal challenges to migrant hotels after Epping ruling
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Daily Mail
4 hours ago
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Irish man is found dead in Portugal days after vanishing near tourist attraction: Police launch probe
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