“Polish Mike” reveals his shocking story

A MAN claiming to be the infamous ‘Derwent Tramp’ (nicknamed ‘Polish Mike’) has revealed the personal story leading to his arrest in a series of online posts.

In a lengthy message to York students, he mocked the University for its “really stupid security” and claims he will be returning to Poland shortly.

Last week, Vision reported that Security Services had repeatedly caught Mickal Grabarczyk intruding into secure accommodation blocks. He was arrested and placed on bail for assaulting a police officer and drunk and disorderly behaviour.

His messages were posted on Nouse’s website but appear to have gone unnoticed until now.

“You have really nioce [sic] bathrooms and really stupid security,” the posts claim.

“One time, after twice they catch me before, one see me in computer place and go for support, i just take my staff [sic] and go to women toilet, and i even hear when they talk about me.”

For weeks Grabarczyk took advantage of offers of shelter from York students. A Linguistics third-year who invited him to stay in his house told Vision: “There was no place else he could stay and no one else to call upon. At no point did he mean any harm to anyone. There was a slight language barrier but I took the time and effort to talk to him.”

The man claiming to be Grabarczyk online revealed he had been travelling and sleeping rough for some time before arriving at the University. In different instances he claims to have been attacked with a knife, had possessions stolen and been previously arrested.

He explained: “i take a job in Poland… get some money to travel to edinbrugh to my firend [sic].”

“In restaurant someone stold [sic] my big bag with money and ticket… i go to consul and take passport for free and money for ticket from calais to dover, then i go to edinbrurgh.”

“I start going back to poland… on my way to train station someone atackt [sic] me with knife and then i beat him and taxi call police… they arrest me for 4 days cause i dont have address [sic].”

Grabarczyk then travelled to York and fell in love with the city, but was finally arrested earlier this term. A student who was providing shelter for him said: “Two policewomen came to our house at four-thirty in the morning to search the room Micha had been staying in.”

His message claims: “one time i find also wollet with student card and driving license, the same day i use internet in Halifax… security come and ask me are you student here, i show student card and then police come.

“Now i waiting for my things and pasport [sic] until 5 december, and after i go back to my country, couse [sic] my mind is really tired.

“Im sure i come back here… Dont stop me now, i had a such a good time.”

If it emerges that his messages are genuine, Grabarczyk’s ridiculing of Security Services will cause embarrassment for University Management who are increasingly relying on the service because of damaging cuts to porters on campus. Recently, the centralised Security Service has showed considerable failings, compared to the previous college-based 24-hour porter system.

The messages end by thanking the University for their slack security in college accomodation.

Photo by Dan Birchinall. NB Not Grabarczyk in photo.