Cleaner Faces Up to 20 Years in Jail for Poisoning Co-Worker’s Tea

 

A cleaner in Warsaw, named only as Małgorzata W., could get up to 20 years behind bars after being accused of poisoning her colleague’s tea with limescale and rust remover. The motive? The victim had criticised her work performance at their shared radio station job. 

Things started to go wrong in November 2024, when the victim noticed her tea tasted off, changed in colour, and caused distress including throat burning, abdominal pain, and shortness of breath. Medical exams later found burns in her mouth and digestive tract, making eating difficult.

Suspicion mounted after the victim left her tea unattended one day in December. Using a hidden camera, she caught Małgorzata W. spraying cleaning chemicals into her cup. It was revealed that she also searched through the victim’s locker, purse, and coat.

At first, the accused denied the allegations. But later, after her phone was bugged and she was recorded admitting to adding window cleaner to the drinks, she partially confessed.

 

Authorities say the act stemmed from the victim's criticism of Małgorzata W.’s work. The cleaner now faces charges of attempted grievous bodily harm, which carry sentences ranging from 3 to 20 years in prison.