A violent burglar who went on the run after attacking an innocent father of four calmly stood outside the house and told police "they are fighting inside" before fleeing.
Oskar Pawlowicz greeted police outside Paul Kohler's Wimbledon home on August 11 last year but they did not realise he was one of the men responsible.
Kingston Crown Court heard today that Paul Kohler had been repeatedly punched in the head and face as he lay on his back in the hallway 'completely at their mercy'.
A second man joined in the attack.
Mr Kohler said later the man sitting on top of him, later identified as Pawel Honc, seemed to be enjoying himself which made him fear for his life.
A roll of duct tape was produced but Honc did not manage to cover Mr Kohler's mouth, Mr Evans said.
Another man tried to grab Mr Kohler's testicles but again failed.
Honc is said to have covered Mr Kohler's mouth and nose to stop him screaming and shouting out.
The court heard he struggled to breathe and began to panic before pushing the man off and getting to his feet.
The first man came at him holding a wooden cabinet door above his head ready to hit Mr Kohler on the head, again demanding where the money was, the court heard.
It was then that the police arrived.
Mr Kohler sustained a fractured eye socket, fractured left upper jaw bone, a broken nose and bruising that left him unrecognisable.
He has double vision which could not be treated because of concerns raised by his heart attack last year.
Officers went to the Edwardian house having been alerted by Mr Kohler's daughter Eloise and found him being hit and kicked by two men inside.
Prosecutor Charles Evans said they were Pawel Honc and Mariusz Tomaszewski who have since admitted aggrevated burglary and grievious bodily harm.
On the night of the attack Mr Kohler was at home in Kings Road Wimbledon with his wife Samantha, daughter Eloise and her boyfriend Geraint.
Mr Kohler was in the downstairs toilet when the doorbell rang which he presumed to be a friend of his daughter.
He went to open the front door when some men rushed in, the court was told, wearing scarves to hide their identity and blue latex gloves.
Prosecutor Charles Evans said Mr Kohler feared for his life and the lives of his family as he was brutally attacked.
Later PC Chambers chased to Pawel Honc along the Broadway where Honc shed items of blood spattered clothing later analysed. He was spotted hiding under a car and arrested for grievous bodily harm with intent.
The attack happened at about 10pm and at about 1am an officer noticed a back window had been left open.
He heard rustling and saw Dawid Tychon jumping over the back fence. He was later arrested speeding in a convertible volkwagon in Tooting. It had a box of blue latex gloves and a flame thrower inside, Mr Evans said.
Mr Kohler, his wife Samantha MacArthur, and two of his daughters were in court today where the four men were expected to be jailed for about 10 years each.
Mr Kohler said: "I'm OK. I just want to see justice done.
"It was nasty but people have been through worse."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here