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Predatory sex offender Gierlowski further jailed for daylight attack on woman

Summary

Predatory serial sex offender Slawomir Gierlowski has had his prison sentence further extended for an attempted attack on a woman in 2011. Gierlowski (38) was previously sentenced in 2018 to 22 and a half years with four years suspended for random outdoor attacks on three other women between 2011 and 2016. After a Central Criminal Court trial in May 2019, Gierlowski was convicted of attempted rape, sexual assault and assault causing harm of a fourth victim on the night of December 18, 2010. Sentencing for those offences was adjourned while Gierlowski appealed his 2018 convictions and the severity of that sentence. The Court of Appeal dismissed these appeals and in July 2021, he was sentenced for this offence to a further ten years consecutive to the earlier sentence, giving a total prison sentence of 28 and a half years. The matter was adjourned during the appeal process. In July 2022, Judge Elma Sheahan extended Gierlowski's time in custody by a further six years, imposing concurrent sentences totalling six years consecutive to his Central Criminal Court sentence. The court heard that Gierlowski's DNA and fingerprints were taken as part of an investigation in 2016 into a separate assault and matched samples that were recovered from a flex and a cigarette box in this case. The victim described how the man, later identified as Gierlowski, had jumped at her in broad daylight, pushed her to the ground, straddled her and failed to get a flex around her neck before putting his hands on her neck and squeezing with his thumbs. He tried to pull down her pants. She resisted and fought back at the man, who punched her many times with a closed fist before he ran off. The woman continues to suffer adverse effects from the offence ten years later. Judge Sheahan noted Gierlowski had similar serious offending pre and post this offence. She said his offending had been previously described as 'dangerous predatory behaviour', which even at this stage he refuses to acknowledge despite going through three trials. She noted he has been in custody since 2016 but said she could not take into account any insight gained or remorse as he does not accept the verdict and there is no guilty plea. She said the court would take into account that he is already serving a significant sentence. Previously Mr Justice Michael White said that in the absence of Gierlowski acknowledging his predatory behaviour, he remained a serious threat to the safety of women. Judge Sheahan said the protection of society was an important consideration for the court. She imposed concurrent sentences totalling six years consecutive to his Central Criminal Court sentence. She noted the need to have regard to rehabilitation but said there was no evidential basis for suspending part of the sentence.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Predatory sex offender Gierlowski further jailed for daylight attack on woman. Charges or matters: attempted rape, sexual assault and assault causing harm of a fourth victim on the night of December 18, 2010. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Convicted

When:

• May 2019 Incident
• December 18, 2010 Adjournment
• July 2021 Adjournment
• May 30, 2011 Incident
• July 2022 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2011 and 2016 Incident
• 2022-10-10 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Appeal Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report