PAWEL TWARDOWICZ FROM WESTER HAILES CONVICTED OF CRUELTY AND DOMESTIC ABUSE IN EDINBURGH

Pawel Twardowicz, born on January 21, 1982, and previously residing in Rennies Isle, Leith, Edinburgh, with the postcode EH6 6QA, and more recently at Handyside Place, Edinburgh, EH11 1ZH, has been found guilty of multiple serious offenses involving animal cruelty and domestic abuse. His disturbing actions came to light through a series of distressing incidents captured on camera, revealing a pattern of violence and intimidation that spanned over several years.

One of the most shocking aspects of Twardowicz’s crimes involved the torture of a family pet, a cat named DJ. The footage, obtained via a specialized camera attached to the animal, depicted the hotel maintenance worker repeatedly attacking the defenseless feline. The images showed him battering the cat’s face and body with vicious force on multiple occasions. In one particularly disturbing incident, he confined the terrified animal inside a crate and shook it violently for an extended period, causing immense suffering. The court was so affected by the footage that some court staff were permitted to leave the room before it was played publicly, underscoring the severity of the cruelty involved.

In addition to his animal abuse, Twardowicz’s violent behavior extended to his former partner, Paulina Wilk. During court proceedings, it was revealed that he assaulted her on numerous occasions, exhibiting aggressive and controlling behavior. The Polish national, who required an interpreter during the trial, was accused of shouting and swearing at Wilk, demanding she obey him, and making inappropriate sexual comments about her appearance and clothing. The court heard that Twardowicz persistently contacted Wilk when she was out with friends, tracked her movements, and accused her of infidelity, demonstrating a pattern of obsessive and abusive conduct.

Further allegations detailed in the court complaint included him grabbing Wilk by the face and applying pressure, repeatedly striking her in the body, and threatening to spit in her face. He also took measures to prevent her from leaving their shared home by inserting screws into the front door, effectively trapping her inside. These actions paint a disturbing picture of ongoing domestic violence and coercive control.

Regarding the animal cruelty charges, Twardowicz admitted to causing unnecessary suffering to the cat between September 1 and December 6, 2023. His guilty plea also covered a course of abusive conduct towards his partner at three different addresses in Edinburgh, spanning from November 1, 2020, to December 3, 2023. The court heard that his behavior was driven, in part, by feelings of emasculation, as explained by his defense lawyer, Paul Dunne, who stated that Twardowicz felt “totally emasculated” at the time of the offenses due to losing his job.

In sentencing, the court imposed a series of strict measures to prevent further harm. Twardowicz was issued a seven-year non-harassment order, which bans him from having any contact with Paulina Wilk. He was also subjected to a four-month curfew, a two-year supervision order, and ordered to complete 260 hours of unpaid community service. Additionally, he must attend sessions with the Caledonian Men’s Programme, a domestic abuse organization, to address his behavior. Importantly, he was banned from keeping animals for five years, with the restriction set to expire in November 2029. These penalties reflect the seriousness of his offenses and the court’s commitment to safeguarding victims and animals alike.