Court Details and Background
Wolverhampton Crown Court heard that Maciej Pelczar, 48, became 'drunk and aggressive' in the kitchen of the shared house on Rutland Road, Smethwick, on October 3, 2024. The victim, who lived in the same house of multiple occupancy (HMO), said he was 'really scared' that Pelczar would eventually stab him when intoxicated.
Prosecution and Victim Impact
Prosecutor Shane Kenny detailed that both men shared kitchen and bathroom facilities at the address. The victim described feeling like he was 'walking on egg shells' whenever Pelczar was home and drunk. The court was told the confrontation involved Pelczar brandishing two kitchen knives.
Defence Arguments
Defence counsel James Kumar stated that Pelczar was self-medicating with alcohol for paranoia after losing his job. Kumar noted Pelczar believed people were 'spying on him and after him' and claimed he was merely making food when the incident occurred.
Separate Offence
Nine days after the HMO incident, Pelczar was involved in a separate knife-related offence at a Tesco car park. He had already received an 18-month suspended sentence in January 2025 for that offence. The court considered this when imposing the latest sentence.
Sentence and Conditions
Pelczar, of Eastfield Road, Bordesley Green, received another 18-month prison sentence suspended for two years. The sentence includes 30 days of rehabilitation activity, 150 hours of unpaid work, and a victim surcharge. He will be under supervision during the suspension period.
The judge warned Pelczar that any further offending would likely result in immediate imprisonment. The case highlights ongoing concerns about safety in shared accommodation and the handling of knife crime in the West Midlands.
