A man has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for child sex offences committed in Southport.
Marcin Laskowski, 39 years, was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court yesterday, Tuesday 7 October, to 14 years in prison with six years extended licence thereafter. He was also issued with an indefinite restraining order against the victim, an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and is required to sign the Sex Offender Register for life.
Today’s sentencing relates to child sex offences Laskowski (of no fixed address but lived in Southport) committed in January where he had engaged in sexual activity with a 14-year-old girl.
Laskowski was found guilty of two counts of rape, assault by penetration and sexual activity with a girl aged 13-15 following a trial in July.
Detective Inspector Tony Meakins of the Child & Criminal Sexual Exploitation Team said: “Laskowski preyed on a vulnerable child he had met by chance in Southport town centre and offered her a place to stay, where she thought she would be safe and trusted him. However once inside the flat he sexually assaulted and raped her despite her pleas to stop. She was left scared and frightened of what would happen to her.
“The victim and her family have showed immense courage and bravery throughout the investigation to reach this conviction.
“Today’s custodial sentence has removed him from the streets to prevent further harm to anyone else. I hope Laskowski spends this time in prison to reflect on his abhorrent behaviour and accepts that it is wrong.”
Detective Inspector Meakins added: “I hope this sentencing encourages other victims to come forward and report sex offences to us, and they have confidence in us, as a police force, to take reports seriously where we will ensure offenders are put before the courts so that they can pay for their crimes.
“Anyone who has been a victim of a sexual offence, is concerned for the safety of someone they know or suspects someone to be engaging in this criminal activity, should come forward and speak to us.
“We have a team of dedicated staff who will expertly and compassionately deal with your reports, and we will do everything we can to bring offenders to justice.
“We urge anyone who is a victim of any form sexual abuse to please report this to police, as we have specially trained officers who will treat you with sensitivity and compassion.
“We take all such reports extremely seriously, and in addition, work with partner organisations such as Victim care Support Service and RASA who are there to support victims of this crime.”
If you are a child or young person suffering sexual or physical abuse, the following organisations can also provide help and support:
NSPCC – call 0808 800 5000 or e-mail help@nspcc.org.uk.
Childline – call 0800 1111
If you’ve been affected by sexual violence of any kind don’t be afraid to tell someone, find the courage to come forward and get the help you deserve.
You can report rape, sexual assault and other sexual offences anonymously here: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/advice/rape-sexual-assault-and-other-sexual-offences/how-to-report-rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/
There is a lot of support available from specialist officers within Merseyside Police and through the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Victim Care Merseyside service delivered jointly by two registered charities.
In Liverpool, Sefton and Wirral, support is provided by Rape and Sexual Abuse Support (RASA) Merseyside who are available on 0151 558 1801 and, in St Helens and Knowsley, by the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (RASASC) Cheshire and Merseyside who can be contacted on 01925 221 546 or 0330 363 0063.