'Wimbledon Prowler' victims say they lived in fear as he carried out string of raids over a decade

Victims of the Wimbledon Prowler today told how they lived in fear as the prolific burglar carried out a “sustained campaign” of break-ins over a decade.

Fish and chip shop owner Asdrit Kapaj, 42, targeted luxury homes near the All England Club, travelling more than 200 miles from his home in Altrincham, Greater Manchester, to carry out the raids under the cover of darkness.

The married father of two conducted surveillance on the target homes and disabled or destroyed security systems to avoid detection, often tidying up after himself so victims were initially unaware they had been burgled.

Kapaj yesterday admitted responsibility for 21 burglaries between 2008 and last year, two attempted break-ins, and a charge of going equipped. He is believed to have stolen more than £500,000 of jewellery and valuables in the spree, and is accused of targeting the home of tennis star Boris Becker.

Retired lawyer Tony Blackler, 78, and his wife Doris, 72, had cash stolen when Kapaj broke into their house in July 2015. “We were worried at the time, and it does make you think sometimes you aren’t safe in your home,” he said.

Mrs Blackler, a former broadcast journalist, said: “I am thankful he never came into our bedroom, and he never hurt us. I have heard he didn’t show any remorse.” She said she now sleeps with her purse beside her, but added that she has forgiven Kapaj: “I feel sorry for his wife and his children, it is a tragedy for them, they did not know what he was doing, and I don’t know what his reasons were for doing this.”

Police linked 200 burglaries in the Wimbledon area. French footballer Nicolas Anelka was reported to have chased the thief off his property.

Kapaj was prosecuted for raids he was positively linked to by DNA evidence, CCTV footage, and traffic cameras.

One victim, Dina Newman, 73, said he had jumped from a first-floor window of her home with gold jewellery and a watch in March 2017.

In court Kapaj gave his nationality as “Yugoslavian” and said he was given indefinite leave to remain after arriving from Kosovo as a teenager. But doubt has been cast over his immigration status after his older brother Nexhip Kapaj said the family is from Albania.

Kapaj, who has no previous convictions, was captured in February. Judge Peter Lodder QC said he conducted “a sustained campaign” and remanded Kapaj in custody for sentencing on June 21. Prosecutors will consider three further charges, including a raid on Becker’s home which Kapaj has not admitted.