Imagine living in constant fear for four years, your every move watched, your safety threatened. One woman’s nightmare came to a dramatic end after her ex-husband unleashed a relentless campaign of terror, including chilling arson threats. What drives someone to such extreme lengths?

A chilling saga of domestic terror unfolded over four years, culminating in the arrest of a man who subjected his ex-wife to a relentless campaign of fear, including a terrifying moment where he threatened to burn down her home. This sustained period of harassment left the victim in a constant state of vulnerability, fearing for her safety and that of her new partner.

At the heart of this horrifying ordeal was Sylwester Bachurski, 47, who was captured on video pouring an unknown liquid, believed to be fuel, onto the decking of his ex-wife’s holiday lodge in Poland. Dressed in military fatigues, he chillingly ranted, “I will set it on fire,” a stark demonstration of his intent to intimidate and control.

This particular incident was far from isolated; it was merely one of a multitude of menacing messages and aggressive actions Bachurski directed towards his former partner following their divorce in 2021. The systematic nature of his actions highlights a calculated effort to instill deep-seated fear.

Among the most alarming events was a near-miss on the road, where Bachurski deliberately steered his vehicle directly at his ex-wife’s car, swerving away only at the very last second. This reckless and terrifying maneuver showcased his willingness to escalate his stalking campaign to dangerous physical confrontations.

Further dashcam footage revealed his intimidation extended to the ex-wife’s new partner. In a separate incident, Bachurski drove in front of the partner’s car and made a sinister “shooting gun” gesture with his hand, widening the net of his domestic terror and demonstrating a pervasive pattern of threats.

Sources close to the victim articulated the profound psychological toll of Bachurski’s actions, noting that the continuous harassment and repeated attempts to instill fear left both his ex-wife and her new partner feeling perpetually vulnerable and terrified to even leave their home. Every day became a battle against dread.

The protracted campaign of terror finally reached its conclusion when Bachurski, during a mental health assessment with the probation service, explicitly threatened to kill his ex-wife. This alarming statement triggered his immediate arrest, bringing a much-needed end to the victim’s four-year nightmare.

During his sentencing at Woolwich Crown Court this month, Recorder Samantha Broadfoot KC presided over the case, acknowledging the extensive duration and severity of Bachurski’s criminal stalking. The legal proceedings brought a formal close to this harrowing chapter, underscoring the gravity of his actions.